Call it a beef, a disagreement, or an out-and-out battle— the truth is, there’s all sorts of contention and drama happening in pickleball at any given time. But it kinda feels like there’s A LOT happening right now.

If you’re having trouble keeping up, we give you a (semi) comprehensive guide, knowing this is an ever-evolving list:

Paddle manufacturers vs. Governing bodies

It started with Joola’s paddles getting delisted by USAP last summer, which spurred the creation of the UPA-A (UPA’s governing body). These changes and subsequent fees imposed by both entities resulted in an inflammatory letter penned by Selkirk and echoed by Vulcan [read the letter here]. The turmoil has been ongoing since then.

Both USAP and UPA-A are still working through challenges in their testing technology, moving-target guidelines, transparency, and communication, which has caused a lot of strife among paddle manufacturers, and everyone is taking a side. UPA-A has some friends (Joola) and some enemies (Selkirk), and everyone seems to be mad at USAP (except maybe the APP).

A good number of paddles were granted provisional approval (valid Jan 1 - Sept 1) until full certification is required [review the list here]. Then, in December, 10 manufacturers (Selkirk, Head, Engage, Vatic Pro, Holbrook, Komodo, Gearbox, Gamma, Babolat, and Reload) signed a letter requesting an additional year before full certification is required, so a “thorough, transparent, and unbiased certification process” can be developed. UPA-A has not yet provided an answer to this request.

And just to add to a little more drama, Tom Barnes appeared on the Pickleball Studio podcast on December 30th, ahead of The Masters, and claimed (among many other things) that the 20 paddles submitted for provisional approval had not been communicated whether they passed or not. This triggered confusion for their pro players, who Selkirk apparently instructed to only play with a blacked-out Project 008 paddle (paddles must be blacked out if manufacturers do not pay the minimum advertising fees of $100,000). UPA countered this with a letter to players saying that not only were all 20 paddles approved, but Selkirk had paid the full fees and qualified for the full Comprehensive Broadcast, Participation, and Marketing License. We have a feeling this beef isn’t going away anytime soon.

JillyB and Connor Pardoe

We covered this in detail a few weeks ago, but here’s the quick & dirty recap: After UPA’s bridge loan was publicized, JillyB made it her mission to go after the UPA and their leadership (Connor Pardoe most notably).  Her initial podcast claimed that the UPA was in financial trouble and questioned the league’s future.  Samin (new Chief Strategy Officer) hit back and then Connor came in with his own Twitter shots.  It’ll be interesting to see if Jill continues to go after the UPA this year or if she decides to just focus on different storylines. Things have quieted down since then; after a mediocre showing at The Masters (and rumored pressure to withdraw from mixed), Jill has been busy winning in APP (which may be the only place she’ll play now).

Johns vs. Quang Duong

You remember the Headshot Heard Around the World, and all the subsequent interviews since then. On The Dink’s Picklepod, Collin Johns claimed “pegging” (who calls it that?) is fair game when aimed below the shoulders, but uniformly agreed that headshots are off-limits. With that said, he also warned that “if you headhunt, we’re gonna do it, too.”

But there’s also speculation that the grudge goes deeper - that Quang’s youthful play style represents the many ways pickleball is evolving, which in some ways is leaving the Johns behind. Collin’s commentary further underscores this idea, when he talked about how Quang broke an “unwritten rule” regarding on-court etiquette.

Selkirk vs. Quang Duong

Speaking of QD, he may be accumulating a list of beefs, as there seems to be trouble in paradise with Selkirk. There was a dramatic rumor (courtesy of Jim Kloss) that QD was served papers at The Masters from Selkirk for breach of contract. While Selkirk released a statement debunking the fact that he was served papers mid-tournament, they did disclose that he has been given a cease-and-desist notice for violating his contract “both on social media and at in-person events.” In an eye-widening move, in the midst of his mixed match in R64, he swapped his Selkirk paddle for the Proton Series Three. Pretty bold move if you’ve already been given a cease and desist. His contract with Selkirk is up in April.

Unsigned Players vs. UPA

Ever since late 2022, when the PPA first rolled out the exclusive gold card contracts, unsigned pros have always faced additional hurdles when playing PPA tournaments.  Unsigned players have typically had to play qualifier draws, and receive less prize money.  Moving into 2025, UPA has provided new guidance for qualifiers, in an attempt to make it more fair for aspiring pros (who wants to face Chris Haworth in qualies?), and possibly provide a lower barrier of entry for getting a players’ contract.  Players in the top 50 (rolling 52-week ranking) will qualify for the main draw, as long as they have a signed Touring Professional Players Agreement (TPPA). Without a signed agreement, these players can’t play in qualies to make main. Outside the top 50, anyone is eligible to play in qualifiers, but they can’t be placed in the main draw even if they are partnering with a signed player.  This new policy will force top players into signing an agreement with the UPA if they want to continue playing PPA tournaments. Some are calling it the “Vivian Glozman rule,” since she is currently only signed with MLP, not the UPA as a whole.  What’s in the TPPA is unclear at this time, but any top player that hasn’t signed with UPA up to this point clearly has reasons they haven’t.  It seems the UPA is forcing the issue and it will be interesting to see how the players respond.  

Alhounis vs. Everyone

The names might be new for you, but Minnesota-based brothers Mohaned (Mo) and Mota Alhouni have been competing since 2023 (with a third brother, Mouaad, who has played in just 2 events). In that time, they’ve garnered a reputation for making egregious line calls that many see as just straight up cheating. It’s so commonly known— every pro knows of their controversial reputation, and they are getting tired of it. Surely you heard of a recent run-in with AJ Koller at the Daytona Beach Open, where a fight nearly broke out post-match. Watch it here:

AJ is no stranger to altercations with other players, and his partner in Daytona, Matt Wright, is not shy to express his opinion, either. After this particular run-in, the gathered crowd cheered for AJ— clearly pros aren’t the only ones sick of the cheating. What will come of this? Who knows… but at least no one is hesitant to call them out anymore.

APP Fort Lauderdale Open: Results

The inaugural event at The Fort, the APP’s official home base, took place over the weekend. The event was hampered by rain delays, forcing some of the semi-final matches to the nearby Diadem facility (since the indoor courts at The Fort are not finished yet). Megan Fudge came close to a triple crown, but fell to JillyB and Will Howells in mixed finals. Jill and Will both took home two golds.

NEW EPISODE airs Tuesday, 10 a.m. MT (12 p.m. ET)

In our last episode, hear the guys discuss beefs and drama from The Masters: