Quang Duong Signs with Sypik: A Game-Changing Move for Vietnamese Pickleball
Quang Duong Signs with Vietnamese Pickleball Brand Sypik, Shakes Up the Market
In a surprising turn of events, Quang Duong, the rising star of Asian pickleball, has officially signed with Vietnamese paddle brand Sypik, ending his two-year partnership with American brand Selkirk. The announcement, made via Duong’s Instagram, marks a significant milestone not only for the athlete but also for the burgeoning pickleball scene in Asia.
At just 19 years old, Duong has already made waves in the pickleball community, currently ranked seventh on the PPA Tour. His decision to align with Sypik is seen as a bold move, especially given that most Asian pickleball paddles have traditionally come from China. Sypik’s partnership with Duong, the No. 1 player in Asia, signals a shift in the market dynamics and highlights the potential of local brands to compete on a global scale.
"Thank you Selkirk for the support over the last two years. I was able to bring Selkirk around the world," Duong expressed in his Instagram post, reflecting on his journey that took him from the USA to Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur, Ha Long Bay, and Mumbai. "Let #pickleball continue to grow globally. Thank you."
This new deal aligns with Duong’s long-term vision of promoting pickleball in Asia and giving back to his homeland, Vietnam. The partnership comes at a time when the sport is experiencing rapid growth in the region, both in player participation and in the emergence of local brands capable of producing high-quality equipment.
While the exact financial details of the deal remain under wraps, Duong’s father, Duc Duong, revealed in an interview with The Dink Pickleball that the contract is worth half a million dollars. "Too small for us. Too small," he stated, emphasizing the untapped potential of the Asian pickleball market. Duc believes that the value of the Asian market is ten times greater than that of the US, suggesting that Quang’s future compensation should reflect this burgeoning landscape.
Duc, who serves as Quang’s coach, spokesperson, and chief negotiator, noted that despite significant interest from various paddle brands, Quang chose to partner with Sypik to support a homegrown company. "It is not about the money; it is about the value of the market," he asserted.
Sypik celebrated the partnership on Instagram, declaring it a "historic handshake between a world-class Vietnamese athlete and a rising Vietnamese paddle brand shaking the global stage." The brand expressed pride in showcasing Vietnamese talent on the international pickleball map, embodying the aspirations of a nation eager to make its mark in the sport.
Quang Duong is set to debut his new paddle at the Atlanta Pickleball Championships, a PPA Tour event kicking off on May 12. As he steps onto the court with Sypik, all eyes will be on this young phenom, whose journey is just beginning and whose impact on the sport could be monumental.
