🌏 Are overseas brands coming for America’s pickleball paddles?

🤯 A ridiculous ATP defense

Just when it looks like the point is over, a ridiculous ATP defense comes out of nowhere and flips the rally on its head.

What should’ve been a clean put-away turns into a jaw-dropping save and point-winning shot! Absolutely ridiculous.

Have a filthy point caught on cam? 📸

Reply to this email or submit yours to [email protected]. The most epic one will feature in next week’s newsletter!

And if we pick your submission, we’ll send you a free Pickleheads t-shirt 🙌

🌏 Are overseas brands coming for America’s pickleball paddles?

At first glance, Gabe Tardio signing with Facolos Pickleball looked like just another pro paddle deal. But zoom out, and it might signal something bigger. A wave of overseas paddle brands is making a serious push into the U.S. market, and American companies are starting to feel the pressure.

Facolos may be the headline name right now, but it’s far from alone. A growing group of brands including AIREO Pickleball, Arronax, Luzz Pickleball, Mehau, Li-Ning, RamSports, and Warping Point are operating out of China, while Vietnam-based brands like Kamito and Zocker are also making a move.

What’s changed is the playbook. These companies are arriving with UPA-A certification, comparable materials, and lower price points. As Zane Navratil has pointed out, pickleball is still young. Brand loyalty isn’t locked in, and when quality looks similar, price tends to win.

Is this bad news? Probably not. More competition usually means better, cheaper gear, with Warping Point Neon already punching well above its price tag. But one thing’s clear: the pickleball paddle market is about to get a lot more crowded.

😂 Anyone for pennis? Comedians trade bar hangs for pickleball games

A group of Denver comedians are swapping bar stools for pickleball, meeting up monthly to dink, laugh, and live up to their legendary group chat name.

😍 200 funny and clever pickleball team names

If you’re in need of a good, clever pickleball team name for you and your crew, this article has you covered.

🤑 Palm Beach players are being priced out as fees triple

Pickleball players say they're being priced out of some local courts in Palm Beach Gardens after fees increased at popular facilities.

Fresh takes, spicy debates, and the latest hot paddles & gear: catch up on our latest Court Talk highlights:

• 🏆 I won a 5.0 tournament with this $100 paddle

• 🤔 Dwell vs. pop-based power – which is best?

• 😵‍💫 The spinniest paddle… ever?

• 🥤 A better-for-you energy drink with electrolytes to help you win

Skipped a scroll or two? No worries — here are the last few editions we sent your way:

• 🤾 Pickleball’s biggest lies (that stop your improvement)

• 🤯 $15,000 to play pickleball

• 🤾 3 skills that ACTUALLY make a difference

• 👟 Nike signs its first pickleball star, and it says a lot

Love what you’re reading? Why not tell others about it too!?