Selkirk Sport is a renowned pickleball paddle and equipment manufacturer. It has joined ties with former tennis player Jack Sock to launch a specialized paddle of his own.
Sock, who achieved a career-high ranking of World No. 8 on the ATP Tour in 2017, retired from professional tennis last year. He played his final tournament in mixed doubles at the 2023 US Open with Coco Gauff.
The 31-year-old has since turned to pickleball, joining a growing number of tennis players in changing lanes and picking up a paddle. Pickleball is considered one of the fastest-growing sports not just in the United States but worldwide.
Last year, it was estimated to grow by 52% in the USA, ranking fourth as the most-played sport there, behind only basketball, tennis, and soccer. A few weeks ago, Roland Garros unveiled three pickleball courts to the public to create awareness of the sport in France.
One of the most marketable women's athletes of the past decade, Eugenie Bouchard, became another high-profile tennis pro to try the new sport and even played professionally in a few tournaments this year.
Sock, who is the world no. 9 in the PPA Tour (Professional Pickleball Association) and plays for the New York Hustlers in Major League Pickleball, will undoubtedly elevate the status of pickleball thanks to the introduction of the LUXX Control Air - Invikta.
This highly specialized paddle (the equipment that pickleball players play with, akin to a tennis racket) will be endorsed by the American, as announced by its sponsor, Selkirk Sport. It is the same paddle that he'll use to play with in professional competitions.
"Using the LUXX Control Air, I feel, has changed my game. I’ve been able to shape the ball well. I think I’ve been able to show that you can get some pop with it, meanwhile the feel is phenomenal. It’s a big advantage just to get the best paddle in my hand.
Each paddle will have Sock's signature and feature three colorways: black, red, and white, priced at $250.
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