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Effective immediately, Proton paddles are banned from professional play due to unpaid debts to the league. What does this mean for their sponsored pros? And could this have ripple effects down into amateur play? We get into it below.

In This Issue:
— Pickleball church mural goes viral
— Efficient hands > fast hands
— Should I have said something?

Before you get into the good stuff…

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The stunning Utah backdrop brought out the best in pro style this week. From Dylan Frazier to Tyra Black, Len Yang and Collin Johns to Parris Todd, see all the looks that turned heads in the high desert.

Anna Leigh Waters was tested in her singles finals matchup against Kate Fahey yesterday, losing game one 11-8. But she roared back, losing a combined five points in the next two games to take the match and extend her singles unbeaten streak to a mind-boggling 670 days.

If you think you love your current pickleball paddle, think again. The era of longer-lasting surface grit has arrived and the technology is impressive, to say the least. These five paddles are leading the charge.

A church gym in Alabama has gone viral after a video of its murals was posted online featuring a head-turning blend of biblical figures playing modern sports. “Air Moses” was painted in 2006. “Pickleball Paul” was added two years ago. Check them out.

So much instructional content preaches the various ways you can move from 3.5 to 4.0, or 4.0 and beyond. Tips and tricks and strategies to get much better as quickly as possible.

But the truth is the road to advanced pickleball is a long one, full of obstacles and speed bumps and potholes. You don’t zoom to your destination at 100 mph — you make your way carefully but surely. At your own speed.

Getting better looks different for everyone. Just know it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a progression that takes time and effort.

So absorb the following tip and apply it to your own game. It won’t take you to the next level all on its own. But it’ll help you move closer to your destination.

✅ Efficient hands beat fast hands. Almost every time.

Most intermediate players waste movement. They move their paddle around too much, take inefficient paths to the ball, and generally create extra work for themselves.

Advanced players, by contrast, move from point A to point B in the most direct line possible.

Think about basic geometry: the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Apply that principle to your paddle movement.

When a hard shot is coming at you, don't think about being fast. Think about being efficient. Get your paddle in the path of that ball as quickly as you can by taking the most direct route.

Keep your paddle out in front of you in your peripheral vision. Move it efficiently to intercept the ball. This is a hallmark of advanced play, and it's totally achievable for you right now.

➡️ Watch and learn.

You’re playing more.
You’re trying harder.

But your game? Still stuck in the same place.

That’s the plateau—and it doesn’t fix itself.

The difference isn’t effort.
It’s direction.

Selkirk Academy gives you a clear system to actually improve—structured lessons, intentional drills, and coaching from players who’ve already figured it out.

Less guessing. More progress. That’s how players level up.

Start improving with Selkirk Academy.

While you were easing into your weekend Friday evening, professional pickleball players were receiving an email from PPA Founder and CEO Connor Pardoe.

The subject line — Important Notice: Proton Paddles Banned from Professional Play.

Pardoe pulled no punches in the following communication.

"Despite repeated communications, clear contractual obligations, and ample time to cure," he wrote. "Proton has failed to resolve its outstanding debts and is now in bad standing with the United Pickleball Association (UPA), the PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball (MLP), and Pickleball Inc."

Until Proton pays up, its paddles are banned from pro play.

Proton has been a major paddle brand on the pro tour for years. And a title sponsor of the PPA Tour in recent seasons.

Andrei Daescu was a top sponsored pro until he recently signed with CRBN. Jade and Jackie Kawamoto re-signed with the brand as of a couple months ago. Other Proton-affiliated pros include Meghan Dizon, Jalina Ingram, and Travis Rettenmaier.

"It is our understanding that multiple Proton-sponsored athletes may also be owed significant sums by Proton," the email continued. "We encourage you to proceed however you see fit to pursue and collect any debts owed to you directly from Proton."

Reached for comment, a member of the Proton team said this: "We value our relationship with the PPA and plan to resolve this matter promptly."

We don’t know how much Proton owes the league, though rumors are swirling it’s in the seven-figure range. If they can settle their debts, "they will be considered back in good standing and their equipment will be eligible for play."

Surely we won’t be seeing Proton branding splashed across future PPA Tour stops, one would think. But the fate of the paddle brand in pro pickleball still hangs in the balance.

Do they settle their debts and continue on? Or is this the first big nail in the coffin of one of the sport’s most recognizable brands?

Time will tell. In the meantime, two other noteworthy bits of news came out of this:

Suffice to say, this is a huge story in the sport of pickleball. And not just for the pros. We’ll be following it closely. You’ll be the first to know.

➡️ Get the full scoop.

It was a banner championship Sunday for the PPA Greater Zion Cup. The only thing more splendid than the level of play was the stunning backdrop behind it.

The gold medal matches saw a lot of #1 and #2 seeds pitted against each other.

Here’s who came out on top:

This win propels Chris Haworth to the #1 seed in men’s singles on the PPA Tour for the first time in his career. Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio remain unbeaten as a team in 2026. And Anna Leigh and Anna continue their streak of utter dominance — they won their gold medal match 11-3, 11-3, 11-0.

Speaking of Anna Leigh, Kate Fahey beat her in their first game Sunday, 11-8. It had the pickleball world abuzz. Is this the day ALW falls? It was not — she went on to win the next two games, and the match, 11-3, 11-2.

From here, many of the top pros are heading to Vietnam for the PPA Asia Hanoi Cup.

➡️ More storylines from Utah.

We’ll let that sink in.

The 11SIX24 Power 2 isn’t just “gritty”—it’s that gritty.
The same surface you’re looking at? That’s what’s grabbing the ball and creating serious spin on contact.

And unlike most “spin paddles,” this actually translates in-game.

Heavier bite on drives. More shape on drops and resets. Control that holds up under pressure

It’s one of those paddles you feel immediately… and then don’t want to put down.

Check out the Power 2 series here and take $10 off with code THEDINK.

Before the mob descends, I know: offering a fellow player unsolicited advice is the cardinal sin of rec-play pickleball.

But hear me out. In open play the other day, the following scenario played out numerous times.

I’ve played with Ted in open play settings before. He’s a nice guy, we’ve always had fun matches together.

I debated saying something to him. Not a critique, more of an observation.

Ted you should have murdered me out there! You were too nice, why not kill me when you had the chance? Take it or leave it, but if you can hit a dagger, do it. You’re more than good enough.

In the end, I kept it to myself, erring on the side of “no unsolicited advice is good advice.” But now it’s nagging at me.

A review from the Dink Fam...

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