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A BAD DAY FOR THIS GUY: Drop the F-bomb, lose a point

A BAD DAY FOR THIS GUY: Drop the F-bomb, lose a point

PLUS: Security guards guard courts + The tallest pickleball court in the world

Good day, picklers.

Mansions. Pickleball. War.

While the sun shines in the beautiful city of San Fran, the Presidio Wall pickleball courts still radiate a subtle hue of darkness. The clanging from last year’s battle is still vibrating the fences surrounding the court.

Today, we step on the media-tarnished courts of Presidio Wall, and while the games are in loop as usual, only one thought scrapes my mind:

“How are the new owners fairing?”

Let’s get into some pickle talk, shall we?

Here’s what’s on the docket today:

Pickle Talk: Drop the F-bomb, lose a point + The paddle certification business
Bite-sized: Security guards guard courts. UPA-A launches a paddle certification program. The tallest pickleball court in the world.
Golden Pickle: ProXR just released some of the spiniest paddles in the market right now

Let’s start off with a visually stunning banger, shall we? 😵‍💫

When you have nothing to lose, you make shots not worthy of Ben Johns.

Tardio is only 17 and turning out shots like this.

The sky is your limit, sir.

@MLP

Let’s get into some PICKLE TALK

NET CORD WISH TURNS INTO A CURSED POINT

“Where’s my f*cking net cord, Jesus Christ.”

During PPA’s Select Medical Orange County Cup, Round of 64, Julian Arnold’s frustration got the best of him while down to Ammar Wazir in game 2.

Lucky for Wazir, the ball and net were in his favor, and Arnold was unfortunately not too happy about it.

While diligent focus from Arnold got him back to 4-4 in the second game, his annoyance at not being able to break the tie with a net cord showed bright.

Enter: “Where’s my f*cking net cord, Jesus Christ.”

The referee decides that the profanity was enough to issue a technical warning to Arnold. Oomf.

BUT…it doesn’t stop there.

Arnold loses the next couple points, making the score 4-6. Arnold’s ball hits the net cord, as he wished, but Wazir was able to return it, leaving Arnold fuming.

What came out of his mouth next was enough to lose him a point:

“There’s my net cord. F***ing sitter for him… God damn it.”

Several exchanges with the ref later, he was not able to reverse the lost point, ultimately losing the second game 5-11.

@tennishollywood63 on Instagram sided with the ref, commenting:

This player is an adult child. “We’re having a great match.” He’s so immature.

While @davidorviet thinks the opposite:

I believe people should be free to talk sh*t in pickleball.

Personal opinion? Curse all you want, but make it a bit more subtle, won’t cha? Like under your breath, maybe? Arnold states that no one could hear him, but sir…

You are being recorded. The whole world can hear you.

Also… RULE BOOK.

Official USAP 2024 Rulebook

Be professional, sir.

pickleballdotcom
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THE RICH BUSINESS OF PADDLE CERTIFICATION

Allegedly, @PPAtour is charging paddle brands $100k per year and $5k per paddle cert/reg in 2025.
@USAPickleball approved paddles will be sunset at the end of 2025 for UPA events.
Thoughts?
— Rob Nunnery (@_robnunnery)
12:22 PM • Jun 19, 2024

A new business model has hit the pickleball scene, and for once, it has nothing to do with another “innovative” pickleball paddle hitting the market but rather a vertical move upward.

In the above tweet made by pro pickleball player Rob Nunnery, he alleges that “@PPAtour is charging paddle brands $100k per year and $5k per paddle cert/reg in 2025.”

To clarify, it is not PPA directly charging the cert cost. It is the UPA-A (United Pickleball Association of America), a recently formed governing body for the UPA, made up of the PPA Tour and MLP.

So the question on everyone’s mind is: WHY?

There is no concrete answer from the motherland yet, but one can speculate that charging such a cost is to increase friction and raise the barrier to entry into the paddle industry.

We all know that the business of pickleball is still in its infancy stages, and with everyone wanting a piece of the paddle-pie, paddle companies and brands are popping up left and right.

Competition can be a good thing. BUT with so many new paddles debuting and hoping to debut, it creates difficulties when it comes to paddle regulation and setting the standard for what is allowed.

The recent drama with JOOLA was an example of that.

LOOKING FORWARD…It’s potentially going to be a scary ride for smaller, up-and-coming pickleball brands who are not as established as brands like JOOLA.

While million-dollar lawsuits in the pickleball world are few and far between, if this were happening to a smaller brand, one word: BANKRUPT.

For big brands, this might just be a slight annoyance to their budget. But for small brands, it could either mean the end of the line, acquisition, or a market shift to selling unapproved paddles for rec play.

Some may see this as a business scam, but really, the fees are a strategic move in moving pickleball in the direction of a legitimate sport in the eyes of the majority.

The tweet provided is alleged knowledge and is not factual.

BITE-SIZED PICKLES

1/ LOCKED UP: The Kendale Woods Park pickleball community in Virginia staged a sit-in after Fairfax County decided it was time to close up shop and return the pickleball courts back to tennis courts.

But due to the sit-in and players becoming hostile towards staff, the park has hired a security guard to turn away rebels. Those who violate will receive a fine of $2,500.

2/ NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN: The United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) has launched the UPA Certification Program in partnership with Pickle Pro Labs (PPL) and the University of Massachusetts Lowell to establish rigorous testing standards for pickleball paddles.

This initiative aims to ensure high performance and quality, reflecting UPA-A's commitment to the sport's integrity and growth. An interim certification program will be available until the full program launches in late 2024, with all certified paddles subject to ongoing compliance checks. Representatives from independent paddle brands will join the Equipment Manufacturer Advisory Board.

3/ IN THE SKY: Tower Club Dallas is bringing you "Pickleball in the Sky" all July long on its 48th floor, featuring the world's tallest pickleball court with amazing 360-degree views of downtown. Open to everyone, you can rent the court for solo or team play.

Hours are flexible: Monday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy light bites, cocktails, themed events, and a DJ. Invited, known for their top-notch racquet facilities, is making pickleball even more fun and accessible with this cool new experience.

4/ DINERS, DRIVE-INS, & PICKLEBALL: Hunter Fieri and his fiancée Tara Bernstein celebrated their engagement with a fun pickleball-themed party in Central Park on June 23. Tara, a pro pickleball player, wore an all-white activewear dress, while Hunter matched in white. Guests dressed in all-black, just like Hunter’s dad, Guy Fieri.

The party had personalized pickleball rackets and cool decorations. Guy gave a heartfelt speech, and Buddy Valastro made a delicious three-tier cake. Hunter and Tara, who got engaged last November, are set to marry at the Fieri family ranch in June 2025.