Joola's Gen 3 Paddles are.... back?

SPOTTED …

We here at KOTC have discussed paddle testing multiple times, from paddles being stored in the fridge to BCO MLP cutting all testing when their equipment malfunctioned. This time, a split is emerging between the governing bodies. On Aug 6th, the newly created UPA-A announced the limits for their interim certification program. Mere days later, UPA-A certified Joola paddles started popping up in Kansas City. First, it was Quang Duong holding a new magnus with Tyson McGuffin, and then later, more models started appearing in the hands of Joola-sponsored players. These paddles look, sound, and play very similarly to the Joola Gen 3 paddles that were controversially banned by USAPA months ago. Reports are, they are a modified “3S” version of the Gen 3.

This development brings up many questions. How was Joola able to obtain testing limits and certification from UPA-A if the limits weren’t published until a few days ago? Joola would have needed to submit these paddles weeks ago for manufacturing. Our sources tell us that these new Joola paddles are being released at the end of August, BEFORE the public release of the UPA-A certification details.

We reached out to two manufacturers NOT on the UPA-A equipment board to see if they had been given any details or guidance about getting paddles approved. Neither had received any information and one was told “nothing has been decided yet” when they asked for information from their PPA representative.

This suggests a governing body displaying favoritism towards one of their largest sponsors, and that sponsor using their position on the equipment board to get a jump on the market and hurt competitors. It also points to even more power paddles coming from the UPA-A, despite the assurances from Jason Aspes that their testing limits would mean less powerful paddles. (We reached out to Jason for comment but as of publishing had not received a response).

2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for pro pickleball. With competing governing bodies fighting for control (and money) of the sport, this might be more damaging than Tour Wars ever was. UPA-A’s favoritism and rumored $100k paddle fee will likely run smaller manufacturers out of business and cause higher paddle prices for those that survive. Can we trust a for-profit entity to do what is best for picklenball as a whole, or just what’s best for their bottom line?

PB Weekly Round-up

Quick hits of what’s new and interesting in the pickleball space.

• PickleCon Kansas City took place last week, an event celebrating pickleball which featured vendor booths, clinics, MiLP and other amateur playing events, a glow-in-the-dark tournament, a bus tour of local play-and-eat establishments, and more. Panelists talked on a variety of topics including adaptive/inclusive play, technology, philanthropy, sustainability, and mindset mastery.

• Ben & Anna Leigh missed out on KC’s singles event, because they were hitting up the Pro-Am Pickle ‘N Pucks event in Colorado. They played in the celebrity match alongside Genie Bouchard, John Isner, and former hockey pros Kris Draper and Justin Williams.

• MLP’s Waiver Period #2 completed, with most of the moves happening in Challenger. The biggest moves were made by the Cali Black Bears, ultimately ending with adding Chris Haworth and Genie Erokhina. Bay Area dropped DJ for Marty Emmrich, while wife Tammy Emmrich moved from FL Smash (for Christa Gecheva) to Frisco Pandas (who dropped Alli Phillips). Click here for full results.

• USAPA’s National Pickleball Day was celebrated on Aug 8th.

• APP English Open, which kicked off Aug 8 and continues through the 14th, boasts 1,976 participants from 42 countries. The tournament is featuring a variety of events including their NextGen juniors event, a wheelchair event, and a Battle of the Paddles in addition to standard bracket events. Follow on Pickleball England’s YouTube channel. You might spot some familiar faces!

• Lifetime Fitness announced their own patent-pending ball, “The Ultimate Pickleball” that claims to address common issues of “inconsistent speed, bounce and durability.” They plan to debut the ball at an event at Life Time's PENN 1 in New York City on August 19, headlined by tennis legend and pickleball enthusiast, Andre Agassi.

• Speaking of pickleballs, a couple guys out of Michigan are attempting to solve the noise problem by inventing a 3D-printed ball they’ve dubbed DigiPro, that has been certified by USA Pickleball for official play.

Next pod release is Wednesday, August 14th, 10 a.m. MT (12 p.m. ET)