🏓 McGuffin Out, 14.5M Players & Pro Tour Returns

What a week for pickleball! From Tyson McGuffin's season-ending injury announcement to explosive growth numbers showing the sport reaching 14.5 million players nationwide, the pickleball world continues to evolve at a blistering pace. Whether you're a tournament warrior or a recreational player, this week's updates have something that impacts your game.

Let's dive into the biggest stories shaping our sport right now.

🏆 Tournament Highlights

Tyson McGuffin, the former world #1, announced he'll undergo shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, ending his 2025 season early. McGuffin is targeting a full recovery for the 2026 PPA Tour kickoff, leaving a significant gap in the men's pro field for the remainder of this year.

In more uplifting news, the legendary Simone Jardim is back! After a hiatus from mixed pro competition, Jardim partnered with Jay Devilliers at the APP Tour's SoCal Open, making a strong run to the semifinals. Her return signals what could be a regular presence back on the pro circuit.

Internationally, the Japan Open in Tokyo made history as the first professional-level tournament in the country. Local favorites Shoji Watanabe and Yumi Oshiro claimed the Mixed Pro Doubles title, marking a watershed moment for pickleball's growth across Asia.

📈 Industry & Business News

The equipment wars continue heating up! Six Zero launched its premium "Diamond" series featuring proprietary raw carbon fiber faces with enhanced spin potential and extended sweet spots. Meanwhile, CRBN Pickleball released the Scorpeus, a 16mm power paddle with innovative thermoformed edgeless design for players craving more pop.

However, not all paddle news is positive. USA Pickleball officially banned the Vulcan VCT-7 and Apex Reactor Pro from sanctioned tournament play after both failed roughness and deflection tests. If you own either paddle, it's time to shop for a replacement.

On the facility front, Life Time opened a stunning 12-court "Pickleball Hub" in Scottsdale, AZ, which will host a PPA Tour event in 2026. Denver broke ground on a massive $3.5 million, 24-court public complex at City Park, expected to open Summer 2026. And in a major international move, Dill Dinkers signed agreements to open 10 locations across the United Kingdom, starting with a flagship London center in early 2026.

Selkirk Sport secured major growth capital investment from a private equity firm to accelerate R&D and international distribution, while JOOLA became the official ball of the newly formed EuroPickleball Tour for 2026.

🌍 Global Pickleball Growth

The numbers are staggering: according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association report cited by USA Pickleball, the sport now boasts 14.5 million players in the United States—a remarkable 25% year-over-year increase!

Pickleball England launched its first national Elo-based ranking system, providing critical competitive infrastructure for the sport's development across the pond. Meanwhile, São Paulo, Brazil hosted the "Copa Pickleball," the first South American Pro-Am, attracting over 400 participants and featuring exhibitions from US-based pros.

The "Pickleball in PE" grant program expanded with additional funding to provide free equipment and curriculum to over 1,000 new middle and high schools across the US for the 2026 school year—investing in the next generation of players.

⚖️ Rules & Regulations

Making it easier to train qualified officials, USA Pickleball partnered with Pickleball Evolution to launch a fully online, interactive referee certification course. This should help address the ongoing shortage of certified referees at sanctioned tournaments nationwide.

🎯 Player Spotlight

The PPA Tour introduced "ProPath," a subscription-based digital coaching platform featuring video lessons, drills, and strategy sessions from top pros including Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters. This gives recreational players unprecedented access to world-class instruction.

On the community impact front, the annual "Dinks for Dogs" charity event raised over $500,000 for local animal shelters—nearly doubling last year's total. A new nationwide program, "Serve for Service," will host free monthly clinics for veterans featuring adaptive equipment and certified instructors.

📅 Upcoming Events

The PPA Tour released its full 2026 schedule featuring 18 events, including a new early-season Miami event and strategic two-week break before year-end championships. The APP Tour added a Philadelphia stop to fill a Mid-Atlantic gap, while MLP's player draft for four new Challenger Level teams (Nashville, Montreal, Austin, and Seattle) is scheduled for December 2025.

From Tokyo to London, from grassroots programs to professional tours, pickleball's global expansion shows no signs of slowing. See you on the courts, San Diego!

Keep dinking,
Your San Diego Pickleball Community Team