😲 They didn’t see this coming...

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

😲 They didn’t see this coming…
💸 $50K fine for a charity match? Yup, really.
🪪 Pickleball license plates?
🍔 Burger King releases a Pickleball Burger in Japan

😲 They didn’t see this coming…

This week’s Epic Point has everything—scrambles, resets, and four players refusing to let the rally die.

Just when it looks like the point might settle into a dink battle, one player pulls out a shot that stuns the opposition and leaves them stranded in no-man’s land.

Sneaky, smart, and oh so satisfying.

To check out this week’s epic point, click below 👇

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 🙌

Only 10 of each design available

As a Pickleheads subscriber, you get early access to Eklipse’s 5 Elements Collection — a limited release of five uniquely designed paddles inspired by Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and Metal, styled with bold retro gaming energy.

From glitchy flames to pixelated peaks and golden loot, each paddle is a playable collector’s item. Only 10 of each design will ever be made.

💸 $50K fine for a charity match? Yup, really.

Quang Duong, an 18-year-old rising star currently ranked #6 in the world, just got hit with a $50,000 fine and a suspension for playing in a charity tournament in Vietnam.

Yep—he played one unsanctioned match, and now he’s out of two major events: this weekend’s MLP Phoenix and the Orange County Cup, a 1,500-point stop on the PPA Tour.

It stings even more considering Duong isn’t just any prospect—he won the PPA Tour Rate Championships in 2024 and currently sits at the top of the DUPR junior men’s singles rankings. The kid’s the real deal.

The UPA says the fine is about protecting the integrity of pro pickleball. But $50K for a charity match? Feels like a tough lesson for someone trying to grow the game.

If you needed proof pickleball’s gone full pro, here it is. And like most pro sports, sometimes the headlines make you wince.

😍 Submit a video. Get your DUPR rating.

We just launched something brand new — and I think it solves a real problem for players.

With RateMyGame, you can now get a verified DUPR rating by simply submitting a short video of yourself playing. That’s it.

No matches to log. No clinics to attend. Just submit footage from any doubles game and get your official rating in 48 hours or less.

If you’ve been wondering where you stand — or just want better games — this is the easiest way to start.

🪪 Pickleball license plates?

Washington state just announced a new specialty license plate—for pickleball fans.

🍔 Burger King releases a Pickleball Burger in Japan

Burger King is throwing its support behind Japanese pickleball this year with the Pickleball Burger – it’s even got newly developed rice patties.

🏓 Stack Athletics acquires Vulcan in a pickleball power play

Stack Athletics has acquired Vulcan Pickleball, expanding into equipment and securing official ball status for Major League Pickleball, The Picklr, and more…

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