Photo Credits to: Quang Duong
Quang Duong and Sypik Pickleball have called it a wrap.
The Vietnamese pickleball brand announced Friday that its partnership with the country’s most recognizable player had come to a close - eight months after it began. The farewell, shared via Instagram, struck an emotional chord, calling Duong a “meaningful part of our shared journey” and thanking him for helping to spread the sport across Asia.
“It was an honour for Sypik to be Quang Duong’s first stop upon returning to Vietnam,” the post read. “From supporting on court and from afar, across tournaments in the U.S. and Asia, every moment has been a meaningful part of our shared journey.”
The breakup comes just eight months after Duong signed with Sypik on April 30, 2025, and no public explanation has been provided. Sypik’s final line - “Peace out, Sypik Avatar” - suggests the split was planned rather than sudden, but the brevity of the contract raises eyebrows in a sport where sponsor deals often run multi-year.
A Pattern of Short Stints
Duong, nicknamed “Avatar,” has moved between sponsors and tours with a fluidity that’s both bold and controversial.
Prior to Sypik, he spent two years with U.S.-based Selkirk, during which he was frequently spotted using paddles from other manufacturers - a breach of contract that reportedly soured the relationship. His UPA (United Pickleball Association) contract was terminated in July 2025 after he competed in unsanctioned Vietnamese events, despite repeated warnings.
He now plays in the India Pickleball League (IPL), under the management of his father, Duc Duong. With the Sypik deal now over, speculation is swirling over what-or who-comes next.
Photo Credits to: Sypik Pickleball
Is Wika Lining Up the Next Chapter?
Enter Wika Pickleball, another Vietnamese brand with national ambitions. On the same day Sypik posted its farewell, Wika dropped a cryptic Instagram teaser: “Ending with the letter ‘G’ - to begin a new chapter! Wika Pickleball 2026 | Coming soon!”
The graphic showed the year 2026 with the “6” replaced by a bold letter G - a not-so-subtle nod to Quang Duong, whose first and last names both end in G.
The timing and imagery have sparked immediate speculation that Wika could be preparing to unveil Duong as a new face for the brand. Pickleball analyst Zane Navratil added fuel to the fire by suggesting in a recent video short that Duong could be plotting a return to the PPA Tour in 2026.
Neither Wika nor Duong has confirmed any official partnership, but all signs point to movement behind the scenes.
What’s Next?
Whether Wika is Duong’s next home - or simply capitalizing on the moment - remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that Quang Duong’s star power continues to shift the pickleball landscape in Asia.
With major tours expanding, regional leagues strengthening, and new brands like Sypik and Wika investing heavily in talent, the 2026 season is shaping up to be a defining year for Asian pickleball.
Stay tuned - this rally isn’t over.
