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The weirdest pickleball paddle yet
10 tips for playing in the wind. One pro's massive new paddle deal.
It pays to be a pickleball pro. Quang Duong and his dad and coach, Duc, joined the PicklePod to discuss QD’s massive new contract with Vietnamese paddle brand Sypik. “A half-million-dollar deal…too small for us,” said Duc. Well, damn.
Speaking of paddles, there’s a very bizarre new addition to the USAP Approved Paddle list. Trust us, it’s not what you’re thinking.
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In This Issue:
— An all-new episode of the PicklePod
— How to play in windy conditions
— The weirdest pickleball paddle yet
Show me the money.
Our Picks ☝️
🔎 Covered: ESPN on Kevin Durant’s MLP Franchise ‘Swap’
You know a pickleball story is big when ESPN gives it a full spread. This is how Kevin Durant's pickleball ownership swap came to be.
🔥 Fresh: The Shock Always Show Out
Unlike many MLP teams, the Shock’s uniforms aren’t an afterthought—they were actually designed with input from the team members by apparel brand MUEV.
📈 Global Growth: Asia’s Pickleball Market on Fire
"I think the value of Asia is 10 times bigger than that (the US). So, it's not about the money, it's about the value of the market." Quang Duong’s father believes the size and growth trajectory of Asia’s pickleball market means that his son should be paid accordingly.
👏 Baller: India’s #1 Player Upsets APP’s Top Talent
The top men’s player in India, Arman Bhatia, is making his APP debut in Cincinnati as we speak. So far, so good: He smoked the #1 seed in the round of 16.
10 Tips to Not Be Bad at Pickleball in Windy Conditions
Playing in windy conditions is a frustrating but inevitable reality for any pickleballer. Mother Nature is a fickle beast, as they say—and a well-timed gust can make even the most seasoned pro look like a total noob.
You can’t change the wind, but you can make some adjustments to give yourself a fighting chance. Here, pro James Ignatowich walks you through the tips he’s picked up throughout his career.
✅ When the wind is coming at you:
Drive the ball. The wind can’t affect what it can’t catch.
Apply heavy topspin. This helps drives and dinks cut through the wind.
Lean on the lob. Use topspin and aim long—the wind will do the rest.
✅ When the wind is at your back:
Return cross-court. More court means less chance of an out-ball.
Keep the ball low. That means favoring drops or drop-drive hybrids.
No lobs. You’re not good enough to pull this off; don’t even bother.
✅ A few general tips:
Shorten your swings. Less is more when the wind is whipping.
Increase your margins. Play easy; now is not the time to get fancy.
Aim for the middle. Give yourself some extra room for error.
Watch the ball. Even the slightest movement can affect your contact point.
Spending time outdoors is one reason many people enjoy pickleball so much, but it can have its drawbacks. Wind is the worst; these tips can help make the most of it.
You Saw the Shirt. Want a Hint at What Else?
The spring cleaning clock is ticking and Selkirk’s slashing prices for just 72 hours.
You already saw the Emblem Men’s Short Sleeve on sale. Solid pick.
But that’s just a preview. We’re hearing rumblings of shorts and tanks making the cut too.
The rest? You’ll have to find out for yourself.
Quang Duong Dishes on His Massive New Paddle Deal
Quang Duong’s father Duc believes his superstar son is worth millions, and he’s not shy about it. Asia's #1 player and fast-rising US pro has the same man acting as his coach, spokesperson and chief negotiator: his dad.
"But I'll honest, it's a half-million-dollar deal. Too small for us. Too small," Duc disclosed to Zane. Duc claims that every major paddle brand wanted to sign the young phenom, but ultimately Quang’s new contract was sealed in a handshake deal with a brand that few have heard of. The value? “A lot of money,” said Duc.
Fresh off a double gold victory at the US Open, Jack Munro stops by to show Zane his new hardware before emphatically asserting that the once-prominent US Open “deserves” to be a major. Is he right?
Phoenix Flames GM Brant Weiss shares how he has stepped into his new role as coach/meme lord/cheerleader for the franchise. He explains how the AZ Drive became the Flames and what they have planned for MLP Phoenix.
Finally, Dink reporter Erik Tice helps recap all things MLP Columbus, including the Johns brothers’ withdrawal that had the picklesphere buzzing. Not surprisingly, Zane has some thoughts on how the situation could have been remedied on-site.
👉 All that and more on the PicklePod.
Wild-Looking Paddle Earns USAP Approval
We’re all about paddle innovation, but a new addition to the USA Pickleball Approved Paddle list has us questioning when enough is enough.
The name is a bit intense — “Drone Attack”…really? — but it’s the crooked handle we can’t wrap our heads around.
A thousand questions are running through our minds, but honestly, it comes down to just one: Why?
Cut Costs. Not Corners.
Let’s be real — things are tightening up out there. And trying to do it all yourself? That’s a fast track to burnout.
BELAY hooks you up with fractional pros who actually help move the needle. Think executive assistants, accounting experts, and marketing support that’s built around your needs.
They’re cost-effective. They’re good. And they help you keep your head above water when things get hectic. So you can stop chasing tasks and start leading again.
Exclusive: UPA CEO Connor Pardoe Explains the Ben/Collin Drama
When Ben and Collin Johns exited the MLP Columbus event after just two matches, the outcry from other pros, league executives and fans was swift and severe.
"Some people might say it's preferential treatment for Ben, but I'd like to think we would try to handle the situation the same for everybody” - Connor Pardoe
In the days that have followed, few substantive details have emerged. We wanted the full story, so we talked to UPA CEO Connor Pardoe. Here’s what we learned.
Prior to the event, Ben was told by Pardoe that he could withdraw if the lighting levels were insufficient, based on a pre-existing medical condition
Ben and MLP Commissioner Samin Odhwani met on Championship Court on Friday to discuss lighting levels
After the Hogs lost on Friday, Ben informed Samin he’d be withdrawing—Samin gave him the all-clear
In retrospect, Pardoe acknowledges, one key sticking-point could have been handled differently: "The thing that we did that was wrong, is that we allowed Collin to pull out. But we allowed it. Let's be clear,” he said.
Soon after the event, a memo was circulated to all PPA and MLP players stressing the importance of giving maximum effort at all times. "If maximum effort is not given, we are going to have the right to fine, suspend and even terminate contracts," it read.
Headlines & Quick Hits
Highlights
“A half-million-dollar deal is too small for us”
Don’t you dare touch that
Hunter Johnson like you’ve never seen him
Missed a recent issue? We've got you covered
A review from the Dink Fam...
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