Rafa Hewett hits a pickleball backhand.
Rafa Hewett had his paddle stolen from his bag Thursday evening. PPA Tour

Paddle thefts plague PPA Masters

The pickleball around Mission Hills Country Club this week has been top notch, but there are some troubling things happening away from the 20x44.

Rafa Hewett, who is set to play with Noe Khlif against Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu in the men’s doubles quarterfinals on Friday night, says that his paddle was stolen from his bag in the pro tent Thursday evening.

“It was the only paddle that I had, so now I have to use a different one that I haven't been playing with at all this week,” he mentioned.

Hewett had been using an unreleased Adidas paddle, and he isn’t the only victim of theft this week. Dekel Bar also had one of his Joola paddles stolen.

Even without access to the paddle that has helped him reach the final 8 in men's doubles, Hewett is still feeling confident ahead of Friday night’s contest.

“I can win with anything," he asserted.

You can keep up with all of this week’s action on Fox Sports 1 and Pickleballtv.

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