Good day, picklers.

Here’s what’s on the docket today:

• Pickle Talk: The $2.5 MIL Pickleball That’s Got Pros Fuming (and Slamming)

• Bite-sized: The 12 years taking over pickleball GOLD 👑

• Golden Pickle: Witness Naomi Osaka’s first-ever pickleball shot…right into the net

PICKLE TALK

The $2.5 MIL Pickleball That’s Got Pros Fuming (and Slamming)

Here’s the deal: The Vulcan VPRO Flight —Vulcan’s first shot at making a pickleball—landed the gig as the official ball of the PPA Tour. Sounds like a slam dunk, right? Well, not exactly. It’s been a rocky debut for the VPRO, and players aren’t holding back…at all.

These pros want their voices heard loud and clear, according to one The Dink writer, (but behind closed doors on account-a reputation and that mooneyyy) because after all… a ball can make or break a career. (Ben Johns…we see you) 💰

The pros are whispering… and let’s just say it ain’t good. Words like “inconsistent bounce” and “wonky flight” keep popping up. Yikes.

1/ But Vulcan…are you listening? 🎧

With the recent roll out of the VPRO Flight 2, it sure looks like it.

The real drama, though? (as foreshadowed only moments earlier…) 👆🏼

It was front and center at the PPA Las Vegas Open when world #1 Ben Johns—usually cool as a Miller Lite—spiked the ball like a kid on a sugar rush after a tough match with Roscoe Bellamy.

His words from his dirty, dirty mouth🤭: “It’s garbage. Get a new ball. Make it a real sport!” Yeah, not a great look for Vulcan…

…especially if it coming from the KING of pickleball himself.

2/ But let’s not shy away from the fact that it’s all about the Money, Money, Money…

So the next question is… why is Vulcan getting this much play despite the complaints? 

Well, rumor has it they’re dishing out a sweet $2.5 million a year to be the official ball, with an extra 8-10% in royalties on sales. Cha-ching. That’s a hefty incentive for the PPA. It almost reminds me of those rich kid buying their way into Ivy League Schools, but that’s besides the point. 🤑

After all, if one is desperate enough, (cough*, cough*) money speaks, especially after the year certain organizations had not planned for.

3/ BUT, there is another problem that we need to talk about…

Here’s the thing: The Vulcan ball is fast. Like, really fast. 💨

And most frustrating for pros, unpredictable.

It doesn’t always bounce where you think it will, especially on the return of serve. It’s like the ball’s got a mind of its own, forcing players to slow down and get precise with their shots.

4/ Why Is This Happening?

Let’s break it down. The Vulcan ball is tough—tougher than your typical Dura or Franklin X40. That’s great for longevity, but it also means when the ball takes a hard hit, it bends, becoming more unstable than the recent Kamala vs. Trump presidential debate.

And instead of snapping back into place like a soft ball, it can stay a little warped.

It’s a problem of consistency. 🙄

5/ The Bottom Line

Vulcan’s got work to do. They’re trying to make a ball that’s durable and playable for the pros, but they’re not quite there yet.

Until then, the PPA will likely stick with the deal that pays the bills. 💵

BITE-SIZED PICKLE

1/ OPINION: Should He Let Her Win on a Pickleball Date?

Alright, folks. Buckle up because we’re diving into a hot take🔥 that’s sure to ruffle a few feathers (in response to pickleball.com)

Imagine this: you’re out on a first date, and instead of awkward small talk over coffee, you’re slapping pickleballs back and forth.

But what if, in this moment of shared sporting bliss, the guy lets you win?

Are you offended or you swooning?

Let’s break down this real-life scenario: Our “heroine” (we’ll call her Miss Pickle for now) heads out for a first date on the court, and her biggest test? Will he, or won’t he, let her win?

Because according to her…if he doesn’t let her win: it’s a RED FLAG 🚩 and date #2 is now out of the question. WOW.

Here’s where it gets interesting. 🤔

To her, it’s about the team. 

Miss Pickle isn’t looking for a battle on the court; she wants partnership. If her guy goes full Tyson McGuffin on her during a casual date, slamming balls and forcing her to run ragged, that’s a sign he’s more into winning than building.

Feminist ideals say equality means playing on the same field, no special treatment. But when it comes to dating? 

She back pedals. ⏮️😖

2/ The 12 years taking over pickleball GOLD

Okay, we get it. Pickleball isn’t just for boomers anymore…kids are dominating too. 👶🏽

SPOILER: At the Oklahoma Paddle Royale, a team of 12-year-olds, The KiDchen Dink, outplayed their older competitors to win gold.

These young guns spent 8+ hours on the court, disrespecting their elders, hoping that one of them dislocated a knee (just playin’).🧎🏼

Over in Arizona, the hilariously named 3 Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf team (with players as young as 10!) took home the crown after intense adult matchups, too.

One thing’s clear: Pickleball’s future stars are getting younger, and they’re not just here to play—they’re here to win.

You know what…if it keep them away from their braincell-killing screens…then I’m all for it.

3/ Are Powerful Paddles a Problem?

With the sport’s meteoric rise, concerns are brewing about the impact of powerful paddles. 🔋

George Wall, a pro pickleball player, has a opinion that he is not afraid to share: he argues that restricting paddle power could keep the game appealing to newcomers. He notes, “Pickleball is easy to pick up and super addictive,” but warns that it shouldn’t morph into just another racquet sport.🪫

More on Wall…He’s gearing up for the India Masters, where video replay will debut in southern hemisphere tournaments.

Wall puts it, “Don’t change what’s working.”

DO YOU AGREE 👍🏼 OR DISAGREE 👎🏽?

GOLDEN PICKLE, ANYONE?

Just a few crumbs before you go…😉

1. POPSUGAR reveals the BEST pickleball shoes, according to Pros, Players, and Reviews. As if we don’t get enough questions about the best of pickleball already, hey PS…thanks for taking it off our hands for this week. 😘 
   

2. Naomi Osaka, the famed Japanese pro tennis player, takes her first shot at playing pickleball. 🥅 As luck would have it, her first shot goes right into the net, but hey…she’s been through the worst embarrassment in her life already. This was nothing.
   

3. Social media make me sad. But this makes me even sadder. A pickleball instagram account called @pickleballhomes, with over 6K followers already, shares mansions 🏠 wielding private pickleball courts that would make you pee your pants if you were so lucky. RIP driveway court…
   

4. Pickleball in Hell….’s Kitchen. That’s right. Just when you thought mainstream TV couldn’t take anymore of pickleball, Gordan Ramsey👨🏻‍🍳 decides that YES, it shall be on today’s menu. If you are so lucky to have a Hulu subscription, you won’t want to miss chefs serving bouncing balls.
   

5. Missed the last Pickle Talk edition? Well, you are in for another sweet, sweet treat. The skill, the twoey, is taking taking over the pickleball scene all because of one person: Mr. Quang Duong. The pros are all getting in on the trend because we are no longer in the era of slow and strategic. NO. We are in the power era, baby. ALSO, the UPA-A finally dropped its 2025 paddle certification plan and oh, boy…pickleball is getting real expensive. Your wallet will be HURTIN…