The Selkirk Red Rock Open just happened, and the tournament was a weekend of exciting matches, far from a drama-free weekend. The week's talk was about the challenging paddles. We had paddle challenges against Salome Devitdze, Tyson McGuffin, and Christa Gecheva. Salome was the most heard of because it started against Allyce Jones in singles where Allyce was more than just surprised by the power coming from Salome, which had Allyce challenge her paddle. The most heard-about singles match this weekend was the singles match against Lea, and she was a little unhappy with Salome. It was also the first time where she was completely dominated by Salome. She had return winners and crushing passing shots, which had Lea saying nice paddle and other remarks after almost every point. Salome's paddle was delaminated, and you could hear when she was playing from a mile away with how deep and hollow her paddle sounded. To be honest, if I had to play her, I am not challenging her paddle; I am challenging her weird moan-humm thing she does. You can hear her humming through the stream, and even when you're on the opposite side of the tournament site, you could hear that annoying noise. It's not that the noise is annoying; it's that she stretches it out for so long. She is already about to hit her next ball by the time she is done. Honestly, she might be an alien because I don’t think she is breathing because 90% of the time, she is making that disgusting noise.
Tyson then played Travis Rettenmier in singles, and they were supposedly both playing with the same Selkirk paddles according to Travis via his Instagram. But Tyson's paddle sounded a little different and was hitting a little hotter. Travis then said something about Tyson's paddle and asked to challenge it mid-game. Tyson then switched his paddle after he was unable to control it and still won the match in 3 games, but the paddle was gone once the match was over, and Travis was unable to challenge the paddle Tyson started with.
Either manufacturers need to get some new glue and fix this shiz asap, or PPA has to change something. I don’t care if they don’t have the machinery to do the test on-site. All they have to do is just have a paddle monitor, just walk around the tournament site, listen, and follow the noise because you know when a delaminated paddle is around. Or just watch because if you see a 75-year-old woman in 3.0 absolutely crush a ball, there is probably something wrong with it.
Clayton Boydston is a self proclaimed pickleball fanatic! A former semi-pro soccer player, he was looking for a new athletic outlet as he transitioned out of soccer. He discovered pickleball when he moved to Utah County in the summer of 2021. From the moment he stepped on the court he was addicted. He studied hours of professional pickleball matches, drilled for hours, and played matches every chance he got. He started as a 3.0 player and quickly advanced to the pro ranks. Clayton loves everything pickleball and loves writing about the latest news and events of this sport he loves.
He is also a pickleball instructor and of the founders of the Boydston Pickleball Academy where they teach beginners all the way up to advanced players.