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Proton regains 'good standing' with UPA, paddle ban lifted in pro play
Proton Sports has been restored to good standing with the United Pickleball Association after clearing outstanding fees, which means its paddles are once again approved for use across PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball events effective immediately. UPA President Connor Pardoe confirmed the reinstatement and said the brand has resolved what had been a short-lived ban during a tense stretch of the 2026 season.
Read at The Dink → -
A 122-shot rally in Sacramento became the longest point in a PPA Tour final since 2022
The Fasenra Sacramento Open men's doubles final produced a 122-shot rally between Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio on one side and Thomas Wilson and Dylan Frazier on the other, clocking in at two minutes and one second with a 67-dink stretch in the middle. It now stands as the longest single point in a PPA Tour final since 2022 and one of the most memorable rallies of the current season.
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Rex Thais is ready, and the gap behind him is closing
Fifteen-year-old Rex Thais is dominating junior pickleball right now, but the bigger story is how quickly the field chasing him is improving as junior development structure catches up around the country. The piece argues that the combination of dedicated coaching, more junior-only events, and real pathways into pro play is producing a deeper talent pool than the sport has ever seen at the teen level.
Read at World Pickleball Magazine → -
Ace Pickleball Club sets opening date for its new Sugar Land, Texas location
Ace Pickleball Club has locked in an opening date for its new Sugar Land location, a 40,000 square foot facility with 12 professional grade cushioned courts that will serve as the Atlanta-based brand's second Greater Houston club. The opening pushes Ace's national footprint past 27 locations and reinforces how fast indoor pickleball operators are scaling up in fast-growing Texas suburbs.
Read at Community Impact →
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