From record-setting professional tournaments to a stolen paddle testing machine, marquee partnerships ending to a number of professional contracts being terminated, it has been an eventful yr in professional pickleball to say the least.
We appeared again on the a whole lot of tales we printed over the previous 12 months.
Right here, offered in chronological order from the primary of the yr to current day, are 25 of the largest tales in professional pickleball from 2025.
1. adidas goes huge on pickleball
The yr began robust when world sports activities model adidas introduced it was signing the #1 participant on the earth on the time, Federico Staksrud.
After just a few suits and begins – together with Fed being noticed at tournaments taking part in along with his beloved JOOLA – the 2 events finally agreed to half methods simply six months later.
Adidas Indicators World No. 1 Federico Staksrud
Federico Staksrud, the world’s top-ranked males’s pickleball participant, has joined forces with adidas Pickleball in a groundbreaking multi-year partnership. The collaboration marks a major milestone for each Staksrud and adidas, because the model continues its growth into the rising sport of pickleball. A central spotlight of the partnership
2. Head-hunting takes some warmth
The UPA-A primary launched a “reckless focusing on rule” meant to discourage gamers from bodybags above the shoulders. The one downside? It required courtroom officers to make a dedication of a participant’s intent in real-time. Not simple.
So just a few weeks later, the rule was up to date: new title, altered enforcement, stiffer penalties.
“If a participant intentionally or recklessly targets an opponent with a strong shot
at an opponent’s head,” it mentioned, “the purpose can be reviewed by the UPA-A submit match.”
UPA-A Rapidly Updates ‘Head Looking’ Rule & Doubles Participant Fines
The UPA-A has amended its ‘Reckless Concentrating on’ rule to enhance enforcement and enhance fines for first- and second-time offenders.
3. A dynasty ends
Up thus far, Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters had been essentially the most dominant duo in ladies’s pickleball historical past. Just a few premature losses later, information broke that their partnership was coming to an finish.
Now, ALW is again on high with accomplice Anna Shiny whereas Parenteau has dedicated to Shiny’s former accomplice Rachel Rohrabacher for the 2026 season.
Catherine Parenteau Proclaims Finish of Partnership with Anna Leigh Waters
That is the announcement of the top of the parntership between Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau.
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Final yr, greater than 50 completely different execs earned honors for classes like high males’s and ladies’s participant, upset of the yr, and extra.
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4. Lights, digicam, pickleball
Directed and co-produced by Ashley Underwood, “Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story” explores the meteoric rise of pickleball and the race to grab the numerous alternatives ensuing from its explosive progress in reputation.
Celebrities like LeBron James, John McEnroe, Tom Brady, Billy Bush, Eva Longoria, and others, make appearances within the movie.
‘Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story’ – Set to Air April eleventh on truTV
The transfer ‘Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story’ is about to air on April eleventh, 2025 on truTV. The movie was purchased by Turner Sports activities’ truTV and Max.
5. Paddle battle goes to courtroom
In June 2024, information unfold that JOOLA had filed a $200 million lawsuit in opposition to USA Pickleball relating to their determination to delist its Gen3 paddles from their Accredited Listing.
In April, USAP responded with a countersuit of its personal, stating: “JOOLA engaged in fraud to promote unlawful paddles as ‘USA Pickleball Accredited’ though these paddles had by no means obtained USAP’s approval.”
The fits are at present ongoing.
USA Pickleball Recordsdata Countersuit in opposition to JOOLA in Escalating Paddle De-Itemizing Conflict
USA Pickleball has filed a countersuit in opposition to JOOLA relating to the de-listing of JOOLA Gen3 paddles from 2024 in an ongoing civil lawsuit.
6. Trash discuss crosses the road
Throughout a St. Louis Shock vs. New Jersey 5s MLP match in Orlando, tensions hit a tipping level after a fiery combined doubles battle – and a few much more fiery phrases exchanged – between Hayden Patriquin and Anna Leigh Waters.
Expletives have been concerned. MLP even issued a considerably weird assertion by way of social media.
MLP Assertion on Patriquin and Waters Heated Incident in Orlando
Main League Pickleball releases assertion on Incident between Anna Leigh Waters and Hayden Patriquin at MLP Orlando.
7. Johns bros bow out
Citing indoor lighting considerations, Ben and Collin Johns withdrew from a MLP occasion in Columbus, sparking a barrage of reactions from league officers, facility administration, different execs, and even Ben himself.
Finally, Ben agreed to forfeit $60,000 and Collin $18,000.
Ben Johns Agrees to Forfeit $60k for MLP Columbus Withdrawal
The Johns brothers will forfeit their look payment for withdrawing from MLP Columbus
8. Testing machine goes lacking
A black, heavy-duty protecting case that measures 19 inches lengthy, 10 inches large, and 30 inches excessive, and weighs 167 kilos, went lacking off a truck in Austin, TX.
The case contained the Pickle Press, one of many UPA’s onsite paddle testing machines valued at $60,000. Thus far, it has not been recovered.
Lacking: The UPA-A’s $60K Deflection Testing Machine
The UPA-A’s onsite testing machine, valued at $60,000, was stolen out of a truck close to Austin, TX.
9. UPA renegotiates professional contracts
Starting in 2026, UPA contracts can be extra closely weighted towards prize cash relatively than assured salaries, a herculean effort by executives meant to enhance the monetary well being and viability of the league going ahead whereas additionally inserting extra emphasis on the aggressive high quality of every occasion.
“I feel that the UPA will get this completed,” Zane Navratil wrote in an article for The Dink, “but it surely’s going to be very attention-grabbing to see who indicators in time and who walks away from skilled pickleball.”
The UPA is Extending New Professional Contracts—What it Means and Who’s Affected
The United Pickleball Affiliation (UPA) is transferring ahead with new participant contracts which are a hybrid between the present assured contracts and a prize cash mannequin.
10. Scorching paddle placed on ice
All of us knew it was coming, but it surely was nonetheless bittersweet to bid farewell to everybody’s favourite energy paddle, together with many execs: the JOOLA MOD.
The MOD was revolutionary. But it surely was forward of it is time. In late December 2024, simply 5 months after its debut, it was blacklisted by USA Pickleball. It was just too scorching for our personal good, as enjoyable because it was. It is demise date was set: July 1, 2025.
The JOOLA MOD Rides Off into the Sundown
One of many sport’s most game-changing paddles, the JOOLA MOD TA-15, is formally banned from all USAP-sanctioned play.
11. Quang Duong will get banned
Citing “a number of and repeated violations of the exclusivity phrases of the settlement” – together with a $50,000 effective for taking part in an unsanctioned pickleball occasion in Vietnam over Memorial Day Weekend – the UPA introduced it was terminating the skilled contract of Quang Duong.
“Regardless of quite a few makes an attempt to work with Duong and his group – together with conversations, warnings, and fines – there have been continued and constant misrepresentations of details and contract breaches”
UPA Terminates Quang Duong’s Contract After ‘A number of and Repeated Violations’
Duong took an unapproved journey to Vietnam, lacking the MLP Mid-Season Event in Grand Rapids, MI.
12. A historic MLP commerce
In what was largely lauded as the largest participant transfer in Main League Pickleball historical past, Ben Johns was traded from the Carolina Hogs to the LA Mad Drops.
The transfer adopted the league ban of former LA Mad Drop participant Quang Duong, and was solely made doable resulting from a last-minute commerce deadline extension.
Historic MLP Commerce Sends Ben Johns to LA
The transfer was made doable due to an prolonged MLP commerce deadline. Now, it’s upended your complete season and thrown the playoff image into disarray.
13. The PPA Tour’s new ball
After years with the Vulcan Professional, the PPA Tour made it official with the most recent ball on the block, the LT Professional 48, Life Time’s proprietary, fast-playing, true-bouncing pickleball. (Zane Navratil is certainly a fan.)
“With the ever-changing requirements in pickleball tools, the LT Professional 48 has actually elevated the standard of what a pro-level ball may be,” PPA Tour Founder and CEO Connor Pardoe mentioned on the time.
Life Time’s LT Professional Pickleball Named Official Ball of the Carvana PPA Tour
The ball performs quick and bounces true, and has grow to be a favourite amongst many high execs.
14. Zane Navratil will get benched
In surprising MLP information, the New Jersey 5s traded for Noe Khlif, a transfer that despatched their longtime group captain, clutch hero, and all-around hype man, Zane Navratil, to the bench.
Crew possession provided to commerce him to a different group, however he wished to stick with the 5s by means of the playoffs.
15. ‘Cinderella’ Sliders shock the world
Regardless of coming into the MLP Finals as heavy underdogs, the Columbus “Cinderella” Sliders beat the #1, #2, and #3 seeded groups to earn Premier Degree Championship honors in 2025.
The Columbus Sliders are the 2025 Main League Pickleball Champions
The Main League Pickleball (MLP) Finals occurred at Wollman Rink in Central Park, in New York Metropolis, the place the Columbus Sliders and Las Vegas Evening Owls have been topped champions of the 2025 MLP yr.
16. The juniors are coming
Throughout a several-week stretch in September, the PPA methodically signed a handful of the top-ranked female and male junior prospects, together with Cam Chaffin, Ella Yeh, Elsie Hendershot, Jade Rau, and Tama Shimabukuro.
They won’t be family names simply but – they vary in ages from 12 to fifteen – however the PPA Tour is betting huge that they are going to be quickly. They usually’ve been signing much more within the months since.
High Juniors Simply Signed With the UPA — Extra Are on the Approach
Over the previous couple weeks, the PPA has quietly signed a handful of the top-ranked female and male junior prospects, together with Cam Chaffin, Tama Shimabukuro, and Elsie Hendershot.
17. Egregious cheater will get caught
A participant in a PPA Challenger occasion was caught in a collection of egregiously unhealthy line calls, then proceeded to double down all throughout social media.
“I am able to battle anybody, anytime, proper now. I do not want full-time coaching to be high 10 on the earth. I am already there. I respect the sport—simply not the softness round it.”
He is at present serving a 90-day PPA Tour suspension.
Egregious Hooks, Poor Conduct Earn Participant 90-Day PPA Tour Suspension
Video footage posted to Instagram depicting the conduct of 1 participant throughout a match ultimately week’s Charleston PPA Challenger has resulted in disciplinary motion from the league and can power him to overlook no less than one upcoming occasion.
18. Vietnam pickleball explodes
Professional pickleball went to Vietnam and the response was by means of the roof: countless autograph signings, intense worldwide competitors, and even a world document for occasion attendance in a single day.
The PPA MB Vietnam Cup additionally featured a raucous semifinal match the place underdogs Zane Navratil and Armaan Bhatia have been in a position to upset event favorites Ben Johns and Dekel Bar, 11-4, 8-11, 13-11. However not with no little controversy.
PPA Vietnam Units World Report for Single-Day Pickleball Occasion Attendance
A powerful signal for worldwide curiosity, however viewership enchantment stays to be seen.
19. Sports activities betting’s huge play
Sports activities playing involves professional pickleball. Effectively, sorta. First, we don’t name it playing. We don’t place bets. As a substitute, professional occasions are a part of “predictions markets” the place customers commerce “shares” on the result of future occasions — politics, sports activities, tradition — utilizing crypto or conventional foreign money.
And now, pickleball, due to a “watershed multi-year settlement” with Polymarket that may launch… at some indeterminate level sooner or later.
We’re honored to be the Unique Prediction Market Companion for the quickest rising sports activities league on the earth.
Polymarket is proud to be partnering with the PPA & MLP to convey pickleball polymarkets to the plenty. pic.twitter.com/tvT4KQSG44
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) October 23, 2025
Dink Awards 2025
Dink Awards 2025 — Pickleball’s official followers’ alternative awards for the highest gamers, folks, and moments from the yr.
20. Faux paddles flood the market
We wrote an expose concerning the proliferation of counterfeit pickleball paddles and the have an effect on it is having on paddle logos, model progress, and participant security.
Since then, it is grow to be a significant trade speaking level. The UPA has even launched an consciousness marketing campaign – “Do not Belief a Faux” – and garnered help from different main trade teams to assist get the phrase out.
Faux Pickleball Paddles Are Flooding the Market—and Hurting the Sport’s Future
Contained in the pickleball paddle black market that’s complicated customers, costing manufacturers, and undermining the game’s means to innovate
21. Queen Anna Leigh
Anna Leigh Waters turned the winningest professional in PPA Tour historical past, incomes her 168th gold medal to surpass longtime combined doubles accomplice Ben Johns for essentially the most ever.
Anna Leigh Waters Surpasses Ben Johns in Titles, Whereas Hayden and Fed Win Gold
The Jenius Financial institution PPA World Championships occurred on the Brookhaven Nation Membership in Farmers Department, Texas, from November third – tenth, 2025. This can be a recap of the occasion.
22. Worlds attracts document crowds
Greater than 60,000 followers poured into Farmers Department, Texas, for November’s 2025 Jenius Financial institution Pickleball World Championships, producing greater than $1.1 million in ticket and hospitality income – and a brand new PPA Tour attendance document.
Pickleball World Championships Attracts Report 60,000 Followers, Units New Bar for Professional Pickleball
The PPA Tour’s 2025 Jenius Financial institution Pickleball World Championships breaks attendance, participation, and viewership information for professional pickleball
23. AI line calls coming to MLP
Main League Pickleball introduced a partnership with tech firm OWL AI to convey automated line calling to its occasions starting in 2026. The tech integrates with present digicam know-how and is rumored to be rolling out for PPA occasions as properly.
Main League Pickleball Faucets Owl AI to Automate Line Calls and Challenges for 2026 Season
Main League Pickleball (MLP)and Owl AI have introduced a partnership for the 2026 MLP season. Owl AI will assist with line calls and video problem conditions.
24. UPA terminates three execs
James Ignatowich, Ryan Fu, and Vivian Glozman have their UPA contracts terminated “efficient instantly” for his or her participation in a collection of clinics in Japan. Parris Todd was additionally in attendance however is going through completely different sanctions.
The three terminated execs have since filed an enchantment with the league “to appropriate the document and search reinstatement.”
UPA Terminates Contracts of Ignatowich, Fu & Glozman Following Participation in Unsanctioned Occasion
All three gamers have been reportedly a part of a collection of clinics and exhibitions hosted by the Pickleball Japan Federation in Tokyo’s Ariake Tennis Park earlier this week.
25. Anna Shiny humbles The Dink’s Thomas Shields
A collection of occasions conspired to compel The Dink’s founder to problem high professional Anna Shiny to a singles match. And would not you understand? She accepted.
A few weeks – and plenty and many web feedback later – we have compiled all of the wild highlights into one insane video. That is one you simply have to see to consider.
