dinksWhat’ s News Pickleball
Drive Like a Tesla, Play Like a Pro
The Tesla Plaid isn’ t just a paddle— it’ s a technical marvel.
By JULIE TALERICO
Considered by some as the“ Birkin” of pickleball, the Tesla Plaid paddle by Selkirk($ 350) is sleek, loud, and unapologetically modern.
Inspired by the aerodynamic design of Tesla vehicles, the Tesla Plaid is a technologically advanced paddle co-created from the ground up through relentless testing and ingenuity. The name“ Plaid” comes straight from car culture.
Tesla borrowed the term from the 1987 Mel Brooks-directed comedy“ Spaceballs,” a cult classic that taught us that when“ ludicrous” speed is not enough, you need to“ go plaid.”
Pickleball has exploded from retirement community pastime into the fastest-growing sport in America, pulling in former tennis players, tech founders, pro athletes, and design obsessives.
Selkirk, long known as a serious performance brand, saw an opportunity to speak directly to that new crowd— players who care as much about innovation and aesthetics as they do about dinks and drives.
The paddle itself reflects that mindset. On court, it’ s quick in the hands, built for fast exchanges at the net and aggressive baseline play. Off court, it’ s a conversation starter. People don’ t just ask how it plays, they ask what it is!
Beyond the branding, the name Plaid finds a literal interpretation in the paddle’ s construction. The hitting surface utilizes a high-end 3K twill carbon fiber composite, which creates a distinct box-weave visual pattern. This texture provides a subtle physical plaid aesthetic
while offering the grit and control required by professional players.
Despite the premium price tag, the paddle’ s immediate sell-out status confirms that pickleball belongs in the same conversation as cuttingedge tech, modern design, and performance obsession. •
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