F-U USAP: JOOLA’s 3S Paddles... A revolutionary paddle or a PR stunt?

Good day, picklers.

JLo and Ben Affleck are officially getting a divorce. That’s now 4 for JLo and 2 for Ben. But seriously…WHO CARES?

The real question is: who is buying that $68 million mansion with a way-too-expensive-barely-used-custom pickleball court?

Here’s what’s on the docket today:

• Pickle Talk: JOOLA’s 3S Paddles: A revolutionary paddle or a PR stunt?

• Hot Topic: Djokovic’s Pickleball Pivot: A Sudden Change of Heart?

• Bite-sized: MLP CEO Bruce Popko Bids Farewell

• Golden Pickle: Rossetti brothers set 10,000 volley Guinness World Record

PICKLE TALK

JOOLA’s 3S Paddles: A revolutionary paddle or a PR stunt?

Just hours ago, JOOLA dropped their 3S paddles, now up for pre-sale at a cool $279.95. (Another eye roll, another cash grab?)

But before you hit "buy now," let’s dig into what’s really going on.

First up, these paddles are UPA-A certified, not USAP certified. What’s the big deal? Well, it’s a tale of two philosophies.

ICYDK: USA Pickleball (USAP) is the traditional powerhouse, boasting a robust membership system, comprehensive insurance plans, and sanctioned events that are the current gold standard for competitive play. They ensure stability and growth, rooted in tradition.

On the flip side, UPA-A (United Pickleball Association of America) is the recently formed daring underdog, the parent company of PPA and MLP, shaking things up with dynamic marketing strategies and a focus on player perks. They’re all about challenging the status quo and steering the game toward new horizons.

So, JOOLA’s decision to go with UPA-A certification—especially with a pending lawsuit lurking in the background—feels like more than just a casual choice. It’s a shift that raises some eyebrows and plenty of questions.

Now, what makes this paddle so “special”?

• Propulsion Core: JOOLA’s patent-pending core promises explosive power with refined control. It sounds like the perfect blend, but without that USAP certification, you’ve got to wonder if it’s all just talk.

• Elongated Shape: A longer hitting surface and shorter handle for more reach and power. On paper, it sounds great, but will it actually make a difference on the court?

• Charged Carbon Surface: This treatment supposedly gives the paddle a crisper feel and better energy return. Whether it lives up to the hype or falls flat remains to be seen.

• NFC Chip: This paddle comes with an NFC chip for unlocking JOOLA-exclusive content via your phone. It’s flashy, but is it a game-changer or just another gimmick?

In short, it’s nothing we haven’t seen before. Nothing revolutionary, obviously. But you already knew that.

And here’s the kicker: Are these truly new paddles or just a Gen 3 with a fancy new outfit? JOOLA claims the 3S paddles are a genuine upgrade, but without that USAP certification, there’s a lingering doubt—especially at nearly $280.

Plainly speaking, this is JOOLA’s first big F-U to USAP. And let’s just say a strategic PR stunt.

SOCIAL HOT TOPIC

Djokovic’s Pickleball Pivot: A Sudden Change of Heart?

Not too long ago, Novak Djokovic was sounding the alarm for tennis, warning that the sport was "endangered" by the rise of pickleball and other racquet sports like padel.

At Wimbledon, he cautioned that tennis clubs might soon be converted into pickleball courts due to the sport’s growing popularity and cost-effectiveness. "Tennis is the king of all racquet sports," he declared, but he seemed genuinely concerned that pickleball could dethrone it.

Fast forward a few weeks with a sudden change of heart, Djokovic’s tune seems to have changed.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner is now set to play in The HEAD NYC Mash Up against Jannik Sinner—a pre-U.S. Open event featuring pickleball. What happened? Could his recent Olympic gold medal win in Paris have softened his stance, allowing him to embrace a sport he once viewed as a threat?

Djokovic isn’t the first tennis star to dip his toes into the pickleball world.

John McEnroe, Maria Sharapova, and Andre Agassi have all participated in high-profile pickleball events, and retired players like Jack Sock and Sam Querrey have gone pro in the sport. It’s as if pickleball is becoming the new playground for tennis legends.

So, what’s really behind Djokovic’s sudden change of heart?

Maybe the gold medal has given him a new perspective, freeing him to enjoy the game without the usual pressure. Or perhaps, as pickleball continues its meteoric rise, Djokovic sees an opportunity to stay relevant in the evolving world of racquet sports. After all…he’s NOW achieved every tennis dream there is to dream.

Whatever the reason, his pickleball pivot is hard to ignore—especially after his earlier warnings.

BITE-SIZED PICKLE

MLP CEO Bruce Popko Bids Farewell

In a shake-up that’s sending ripples through the pickleball world, Major League Pickleball (MLP) announced today that CEO Bruce Popko is stepping down at the end of the month. After just 16 months of steering the league through what many would call a crucial growth phase, Popko is making his exit.

So what’s next?

The UPA Executive team is temporarily taking over Popko’s duties. They’re diving into the deep end, managing everything from MLP’s relations with owners and the Board of Governors to overseeing the on-court product, rules, and media rights. Meanwhile, UPA is on the hunt for key hires to plug the gaps left by Popko’s departure.

Popko himself is taking the high road with his exit statement: “Working with MLP was an extremely rewarding opportunity, and I wish continued success to the great MLP and PPA staff, team owners, players, and sponsors as the sport continues its tremendous growth. While I will miss everyone, I am excited for the next round of opportunities outside pickleball.” In other words: “I’m outta here, and I’m excited to see what’s next—hopefully something with fewer curveballs.”

As MLP navigates this leadership transition, the real question is: can the UPA juggle all these new responsibilities without dropping the ball? The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this change will drive MLP forward or leave it scrambling to regain its footing.

GOLDEN PICKLE, ANYONE?

The Rossetti brothers have once again set a Guinness World Record, this time for a 10,000-volley pickleball rally, all while raising funds for Save the Children.

Their latest achievement marks their fourth world record in eight attempts, and they’ve already raised over $250,000 for various charities. The event, hosted at Pickleball America, featured open play and their popular Dink or Drive™ challenge, complete with custom paddles from Engage Pickleball.