Many top pros are left wondering whether they can play their own paddles. It all comes down to the UPA-A's new certification standards, and how paddle brands chose to play the game.

If you tune into PPA Cincinnati, you might notice something peculiar: A bunch of pros aren't playing with their normal paddles.

Popular models from brands like JOOLA, Selkirk, Proton, Paddletek, ProXR, and more are conspicuously absent from the courts. And some of the players who use them – including more than a handful who could compete for podiums – are understandably not thrilled about it.

It's all related to new paddle testing standards mandated by the UPA-A that went into effect on September 1, 2025.

Breaking Down the UPA-A 2025 Pickleball Paddle Guidelines

The United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) has announced pivotal updates to paddle regulations, effective September 1, 2025, aimed at ensuring fairness and consistency in professional gameplay. With the recent formation of the UPA-A, players have been anxious to see how the organization would handle the issues related to paddle

The Dink Pickleball Luke Burton

It's high drama, especially with so much up in the air as we kick off the round of 64 at PPA Cincinnati, an all-important, late-season Slam .

But there's more going on here than meets the eye.

Paddles That Didn’t Make the Cut Going forward, any paddle used in pro play must appear on this list .

As of this writing, there are 85 paddles listed.

A few notable omis... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/dissecting-all-the-paddle-drama-at-ppa-cincinnati/