
UPA-A releases approved paddle lists for 2025
The United Pickleball Association of America has released the lists of paddles with provisional approval and interim certification ahead of next week’s Zimmer Biomet Masters powered by Invited.
Paddles on either list will be eligible for use in pro competition at PPA and MLP events until full 2025 UPA-A Certification becomes a requirement on July 1.
You can find the full list of manufacturers and paddles with provisional approval here, and the list of paddles with UPA-A interim certification here.
This news doesn’t come without its share of complications, however.
In December, ten paddle manufacturing companies co-signed a letter addressed to UPA-A president Jason Aspes requesting (among other things) a reprieve of at least one year from UPA-A paddle certification requirements to allow for a “thorough, transparent, and unbiased certification process” to be developed. They also threatened to not pay any certification fees until processes were changed.
Six of those co-signing companies (Selkirk, Head, Engage, Vatic Pro, Holbrook, and Komodo) all have paddles with provisional approval, which signals that they did end up paying the $2,000 fee to undergo the provisional certification process.
Three of the other companies (Gearbox, Gamma, and Babolat) did not apply for any form of UPA-A certification. Those brands not being available for use impacts several players competing next week, notably Wyatt Stone and Michelle Esquivel.
Reload—the final co-signee—did apply for certification but has yet to pay, so it is not on the list.
It’s also worth mentioning that Selkirk—which boasts an impressive player roster featuring Quang Duong, Catherine Parenteau, Dylan Frazier, Rachel Rohrabacher, James Ignatowich, and Jack Sock—has only two approved paddles currently on the list: the Epic and Invikta shapes of the Project 008. Their signed players will, therefore, be able to use only those two paddles until more Selkirk models hit the list.
All of this only continues to set the stage for next week’s tournament, which is the first Slam of the year on the PPA Tour. Main draw action kicks off Tuesday on Pickleballtv.
Related articles

2026 Major League Pickleball trades and analysis
Catch up on all the moves from Trade Window #1 of the 2026 MLP season.
1 hour ago
-Will Daughton

Waters, Bright sweep Kawamoto sisters for women’s doubles crown as Bright hits 30x30x30 milestone
With two medals on Sunday, Anna Bright joins Catherine Parenteau as one of only two players to earn 30+ gold, 30+ silver, and 30+ bronze medals on the PPA Tour.
6 hours ago
-Will Daughton

Christian battles past Bouchard for 4th career PPA Tour title
The No. 2 seed fought through windy conditions and a marathon opening game to claim the women's singles title.
7 hours ago
-Will Daughton

Big crowds expected for PPA Mesa
A sold out Humana Championship Court will be rocking with every match.
7 hours ago
-Jim Kloss