Quang Duong’s Paddle Controversy: Tuesday’s biggest drama at the PPA Masters came not from the competition on the court but from a surprising decision made by Quang Duong during his mixed doubles match. Duong, playing alongside Parris Todd, faced off against Lindsey Newman and Blaine Hovenier in the Round of 64 when he switched his paddle mid-match, sending shockwaves through the pickleball community.
Contract Controversy with Selkirk
After missing a routine backhand dink early in the contest, Duong walked over to his bench and switched out his Selkirk paddle for a Proton Series Three paddle. This unusual move raised eyebrows, especially since Duong is signed with Selkirk, one of the most recognized brands in the sport.
Reports soon surfaced that Selkirk would sue the 19-year-old for breaching his contract, claiming that he had violated the agreement on multiple occasions. The company reportedly served him the lawsuit while he was still on the court. In a statement released late Tuesday, Selkirk asserted that they sent Duong a cease-and-desist letter “in the hopes to prevent continuous and additional breaches.”
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Training with Other Brands
The situation escalated as Duong has been sharing social media videos showing him training with paddles from other brands, specifically JOOLA and Proton. Fans began speculating that this indicated a growing rift between the young player and his sponsor, and now those rumors appear to hold some truth.
Currently, only two Selkirk paddle models are allowed at the PPA Masters: the Epic and Invikta shapes of the Project 008. All Selkirk-signed players, including Duong, James Ignatowich, Catherine Parenteau, Rachel Rohrabacher, and Jack Sock, are restricted to using these two models, as they are the only ones with provisional approval from the UPA-A.
Upcoming Matches for Duong
As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see which paddles Duong chooses to use. On Wednesday, he is set to compete in men’s singles, mixed doubles with Parris Todd, and men’s doubles with Matt Wright, as the drama surrounding his paddle choice continues to unfold.
News in Brief: Quang Duong’s Paddle Controversy
Quang Duong stirred controversy at the PPA Masters by switching his paddle mid-match during mixed doubles, opting for a Proton Series Three instead of his signed Selkirk paddle. Following the incident, Selkirk announced plans to sue Duong for breaching his contract, claiming repeated violations. As he continues the tournament, all eyes will be on his paddle choices in upcoming matches.
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