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James Ignatowich just became the first pickleball pro to launch his own paddle brand. As the name, RPM, would imply, the debut Friction Pro line promises to be one of the spinniest on the market. It looks pretty sleek, too.

James joins the PicklePod to give you an exclusive look.

In This Issue:
— Pro tips to calm tournament jitters
— Huge rocks rain down on NY courts
— MLP turns in its 2025 report card

New paddle, who dis?

From Chris Haworth’s bold blue colorblock to Tyra and Jorja looking fierce in black, here are the pros who showed out the most at PPA Cincinnati. Keep scrolling and you’ll even catch sight of the infamous Cincy Streaker…

Longtime pro James Ignatowich joins the PicklePod this week to talk through his new paddle brand, RPM (more on that below). Before all that, he gave Zane a glimpse of his apartment, where he’s lived for over a year. The dude pulls seven figures, but you’d never know it from his sparse digs.

Nearby blasting at a dolomite quarry sent basketball-sized rocks raining down on the pickleball courts, and nearby cars, at Shadow Pines in Penfield, NY. “We just saw rocks flying down from above,” said a witness. “One hit the court, one hit the playground, and I ran for the shelter.”

After a “volatile and uncertain start,” MLP Commissioner Samin Odhwani is pleased to report significant growth in all categories for the 2025 season. Sponsor revenue doubled. Attendance grew 40%. And YouTube views jumped from 2.6 million in 2023 to nearly 10 million.

To be the best, you’ve got to play the best. Or at least players better than you.

There’s no better way to improve quickly and test your mettle than entering a tournament. Even if the stakes are just bragging rights, there’s something about competitive play that brings your strengths — and even more so, your weaknesses — into sharp focus.

If you’re new to tournaments or just struggle with nerves when the pressure’s on, try these pro-tested tips from Tanner Tomassi.

✅ Hit your drives at 70% power. Dumping drives into the net is the kiss of death in a competitive game. Take some speed off and prioritize topspin. Never miss a drive and the rest of your shots will follow suit.

✅ Only speed up out of the air. It’s fun to pull off the bounce, but lower-percentage attacks will mostly just get you into trouble. For every one you make, you’ll miss a handful more. Unforced errors are your worst enemy here.

✅ Don’t be a creep. In a tournament environment, when nerves are high, it’ll be tempting to try to gain the kitchen line as quickly as possible. Don’t rush this, especially after a serve. Creeping inside the baseline isn’t an advantage; it’ll likely just get you into trouble.

The common denominator here: Slow down, make your shots, and don’t play outside of yourself. Oh, and have fun. You’ve got this.

➡️ See Tanner’s tips in action.

Listen, we need to talk about what you're drinking after some rec games.

So we've been trying something new from our partners at Crescent Canna, and we're not going to gatekeep. Zexi THC Water is a game changer for unwinding after a long day on the court.

It's not soda, it's not a crazy energy drink. It's just a light, crisp water infused with 5mg of THC for a chill buzz. It has none of the stuff you don’t want: zero calories, zero sweeteners, and zero bubbles. Just an easy, subtle sip to keep the good vibes rolling.

➡️ It's the real deal. Use code ZEXIDINK to save $15 on your order and find out for yourself.

James Ignatowich is the first established UPA pro to launch a paddle brand from the ground up.

His metamorphosis from hard-hitting pro to materials science-loving nerd is a fascinating one. As he explains it, he’s been frustrated in the past with his own equipment and endeavored to learn all he could about what makes a paddle great.

After obsessing for six hours or more every day for over a year — and dissecting, by hand, nearly every paddle on the market — he started tinkering with his own designs. Forty prototypes later he arrived at his new brand, RPM.

RPM’s signature paddle, the Friction Pro, is already USAP-approved and will sell for $249.99.

“I specifically made it for higher-level play,” James said.

RPM will have a hard launch week beginning on September 29, which will come with a special, limited-time offer.

"Anybody who buys a paddle online, through our website, will get a free Cameo from me," James told us. "And I will say whatever you want me to say."

➡️ Get the full RPM story.

Seattle Parks and Rec is cracking down on three outdoor pickleball courts, quelling growing concerns from residents that play violates the city’s established quiet hours.

“Hours for Gilman Playground, Laurelhurst Playfield and Mount Baker Park will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and city observed holidays,” the Seattle Times reports.

The new hours are in line with city quiet hours observed as part of the existing Noise Code, which regulates “amplified sound” often related to construction or maintenance work.

And they’re not taking enforcement lightly: “Locks will be put on the courts for 30 days to enforce the new hours if there is evidence that someone uses the facilities outside those periods. The locks could become permanent if there are further violations.”

➡️ Read the full story.

Nothing kills the vibe like having to sit out because your ankle’s barking. Nobody wants to be the person calling it quits early.

That’s why players are turning to the TayCo AthleticX Brace. It’s lightweight, breathable, and slips right over your shoe — so you don’t lose time fiddling with sleeves or lace-ups.

It keeps you stable without slowing you down, giving you the confidence to plant, cut, and swing like you want to. Stay aggressive, stay mobile, stay in the game.

➡️ Check it out and use code DINK20 to save $20.

The United Pickleball Association of America announced Tuesday it’s in the transition phase from an LLC “into a fully independent 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization.”

It’s a move the league’s governing body has been talking about for months. In a blog post, the UPA-A called it a necessary step to come out “from under the broader UPA umbrella.”

"This change, which will be completed shortly, underscores the association’s core mission: to ensure pickleball remains fair, fun, and competitive for all participants, while reinvesting in the growth of the game,” the post said.

At an industry conference in Miami earlier this year, UPA-A President Jason Aspes addressed the need for organizational separation.

"I recognize that we need to move towards independence and being a non-profit, and I think that will bring a lot of confidence in the system,” he said.

Speaking of the system, the UPA-A also announced decreased fees for paddle brands to navigate its new certification standards.

Beginning in 2026, annual fees will be cut in half to $10,000.

➡️ Read the full article.

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