Top 20 PPA Pro Andrei Daescu SUSPENDED for use of foreign substance…

What are your thoughts on the first pickleball player effectively temporarily BANNED from competition???
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[@pickleballtechdude]

A lot of you are asking why the scenarios I brought up matter. I’m all for fining Andrei. I applaud this move from the UPA in general. I just know from my experience working at the PPA that there were a few finable offenses that took place last year such as the ones I’ve mentioned that were not treated seriously. I’m all for making a statement that cheating will never be tolerated but $50k seems a bit excessive and unusual from what I’ve seen…

[@stacitowery4461]

That was my main question, how can you fine someone more than 10x what they could ever make in any tournament?? Aside from Ben and Anna Leigh, I don’t think any players could handle this fine.

[@DannyBPlays]

Middle finger isn't in the same universe as a substance to cheat. But $50,000 is insane. Millionaire pro athletes rarely ever get fined that amount for cheating or other offenses and they can easily afford it

[@pickleballtechdude]

Agree 100% but $200 for a middle finger on stream representing the sport vs $50k for cheating seems like a huge disparity imo

[@judahkraft7097]

There is a lot of misinformation about this. First of all, the paddle in question was never used in tournament. Daescu has publicly said that it was a training paddle with a substance on it that he and training partners use to easily simulate top-level strokes/spin in practice. It was dropped off by mistake (obviously, whether you think he cheated or not). I am not sure if pros have to have their paddles inspected before each game or not. But really the only facts are that a paddle exists in Daescu's possession that has a substance on it. Doesn't mean he's ever used one in tournament, and his shots don't look like it either tbh.

[@pickleballtechdude]

Agreed 100% saw the statement and hope there’s truth to it for his sake - just seems strange like if he didn’t use it in games how would people have found out about it? Lots of questions need to be answered but innocent until proven guilty right

[@holeem]

What does flicking someone off or throwing a paddle have anything to do with cheating?

[@pickleballtechdude]

I’m discussing other actions deserving of fines that got brushed off - obviously cheating is the worst of the bunch but you’re telling me causing physical harm to a spectator isn’t even worth $1k fine in comparison to what Andrei got? I don’t get it is all

[@JoonieThinx]

Yes. Discussing and conflating fineable offenses reveals a HUGE disconnect as to what matters about this story that drives it to be a sport changing event. It’s the cheating. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@holeem]

@@pickleballtechdude emotions are high at the pro leve and still unacceptable behavior. But premeditated cheating shouldn't be compared to the incidents mentioned.

[@LarryAft]

I hope for Andrei's sake that he has a viable appeal process so the facts can be presented versus all the rumors surrounding this unfortunate event. I am a resident of West Palm Beach, and I have taken clinics and participated in events sponsored by Andrei. I can unequivocally say that Andrei is great person, of wonderful character, and is an asset to the pickleball community. Rather than jumping on the "witch hunt" bandwagon, I hope the pickleball community stands behind and supports one of its great stars.

[@ron2368]

No one can say how long he has been doing this and if its a factor in his recent wins, they are all suspect.

[@pickleballtechdude]

That’s what I’m thinking :/

[@theachaplin3276]

$50,000 is absurd. Just for reference, last year max scherzer was fined $10,000 for using an illegal sticky substance as a major league pitcher. Max’s last contact was for $130,000,000 over 3 years.

[@pickleballtechdude]

Right?? There’s no way you’re telling me he makes that much

[@aggiejason4305]

I'm all for punishing him if he's guilty, BUT 50K??!! That's insane.

[@pickleballtechdude]

My thoughts exactly

[@cindydarling6315]

Only thing not fair. Is the amount way too high for what they earn

[@pickleballtechdude]

Would agree

[@marilynjackson5752]

What was the substance? $50,000 seems excessive. How much did he make from winning?

[@pickleballtechdude]

UPA won’t release the substance - he made nowhere near that amount in winnings or sponsorships or brand deals

[@stacitowery4461]

Since they’ve decided to use him as an extreme example with this harsh punishment, they really need to look at Lea Jansen and reprimand her for her ridiculous and nasty behavior toward Andrea Koop. She always seems pissed off and surely, but this was way beyond that.

[@nn-NeuralNetwork]

50k is CRAZY

[@pickleballtechdude]

For real

[@psycl0ptic]

@@pickleballtechdude not really. look at the numbers...earnings for wins; appearance fee; sponsorships. they could just full ban him.

[@Coach_A22]

If true, I wonder if he did it on his own. Proton, also a bat company, certainly knows about pine tar regulations in MLB. If MLB players violate the pine tar rule, they will be removed from the game and suspended. Not a stretch to suspend and fine a PPA, APP, MLP, or whatever league player, for doing something illegal to gain advantage (aka cheat). Also, flipping somebody off and throwing your racquet at the ground and having it bounce into the spectator area is not cheating. Not something I condone, but this is the proverbial apples and oranges, they are all different situations.

[@pickleballtechdude]

No 100% I agree they’re not the same thing but my point is that these are all reprimandable scenarios that all reflect poorly on the sport and ruin spectator experience - yet one of these was punished severely in comparison to the rest 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Astronaut1233]

Great video. You should post more pickleball news like this

[@pickleballtechdude]

Thank you so much! Definitely will I enjoy doing them

[@gaiusgracchus7475]

Fining makes sense, but $50,000 is moronic.

[@markpickleball]

Sets an example moving forward!

[@pickleballtechdude]

100%

[@barb987]

I deal with cheaters at a 3.5 level all the time! It’s disgusting and I am glad that they threw the book at him. Doubt if this is an isolated incident. Some people just gotta cheat. We need honest pros to emulate.

[@pickleballtechdude]

It sends a message for sure

[@lesterma1608]

Pickleball needs to grow up and be professional!!!

[@pickleballtechdude]

This is definitely a serious step in that direction

[@merry5059]

Those are not the same comparisons at all. All deserving of a fine but cheating is way way low for a player to resort to and it’s calculated and premeditated

[@vincentszymborski359]

If he cheated, that fine isn’t high enough and your other examples are irrelivant. They focus on inconsequential personal reactions, not equipment alterations or PED’s. This is no different than golf.

[@pickleballtechdude]

Yes fair - I’m just comparing other offenses that deserved high fines and got brushed off - obviously cheating is the worst offense but having a paddle fly into a crowd or flicking someone off in front of kids is pretty bad too I just don’t get how they got off practically scot free

[@jeraldjaffee3920]

I think he should have been suspended for 6 months. The rules governing paddles and cheating at the pro level is a joke. Other major sports would have given at least a 6 month ban.

[@pickleballtechdude]

Think so? Heard Scherzer only got several weeks for using pine tar in MLB where there’s way more money

[@stevejordan-fd1om]

You could say, & many pros are saying, the Jolla 3 is cheating ! This is crazy

[@pickleballtechdude]

We’re in the Wild West now…

[@RichardsWorld]

And who profits from the fine? Some of it should be given to some of the players that lost to him in the finals.

[@pickleballtechdude]

We all know who profits…

[@Midievalmace]

The cheating is getting ridiculous. He should be banned.

[@jorowi]

Proton took responsibility for it. They said this paddle wasn't meant to be used for play. I suspect Proton is going to cover the fine.

[@pickleballtechdude]

I saw this too - wonder if there’s any truth to it but I bet Proton can definitely cover the fee

[@JNM_1]

Can he still play APP during suspension?

[@pickleballtechdude]

Technically yes but they already don’t want him on the tour since he plays so many PPA events 😬

[@hunterhigdon3624]

I don’t think anyone is gonna take advantage of this substance bc no one wants to pay $50000😂

[@pickleballtechdude]

Dead ass 😂

[@missdayna]

I personally think the amount of the fine is due to the Johns brothers losing prize money after being defeating from Andrei

[@pickleballtechdude]

😬 possible

[@pickleballroadlesstraveled]

Think the fine is in line with the offense…..your other infractions mentioned are not comparable… anyway really interesting. I thought he was on some steroid or something

[@pickleballtechdude]

I agree they’re not 100% comparable but they’re still finable offenses in general - what would be a reasonable fine for those offenses in comparison? Imo probably $2-5k so to get $150-200 for those doesn’t add up to me

[@pickleballroadlesstraveled]

@@pickleballtechdude agree with that throwing your paddle giving the finger shoulder be more

[@stat41952]

Come on man flipping the bird is not CHEATING Hey Pete Rose knows that . How about the black Sox throwing a series . PPA sent the word to the rest of the players on cheating with knowledge or your part of it. This is not like a delaminating paddle Unless the player did it to the paddle on purpose some way.. Good for the PPA.

[@pickleballtechdude]

Fair - I’m not comparing cheating scenarios I’m comparing things that could have tremendous impact on viewership and how they were treated very differently is all

[@lesterma1608]

He should lose all his wins and a fine!

[@pickleballtechdude]

Well the fine is definitely there 😂 I haven’t seen teams lose their wins in other sports so doubt that happens

[@helloman3676]

Imagine cheating in pickleball 😂😂😂

[@pickleballtechdude]

Lotta money in it now 😬

[@robedwards6926]

Seems like you're defending him for cheating. It should have been $100,000 if he cheated. How about the other players that played against him at a disadvantage?

[@pickleballtechdude]

Hell no he should get fined but I don’t see how the amount is justified. Maybe the amount players are paying for tourneys that he’s beaten them in equal this much? That would mean the issue has been dated back several months which I’m not sure I buy…

[@robedwards6926]

@pickleballtechdude They investigated and must of found a reason to fine him. I 100% support the fine. Set an example for those that cheat. He should have thought of hardship before he cheated.

[@GoldenPickled]

@@pickleballtechdudeforgive my potential ignorance, but who are you to say the amount is unfair. Perhaps he comes from a wealthy family or his Ppa and Mlp salary far exceeds that amount. I think more of a focus should be put on the suspension time, not the meaningless finances.

[@pickleballtechdude]

Great question - I worked for the PPA in 2023. There’s been a lot that has changed but this is a strange move from them considering Andrei doesn’t have a PPA contract and he wasn’t making jack in 2023 - I am fully in support of a fine regardless

[@adamheath4599]

@@pickleballtechdudeagreed, I think he should’ve been fined and warned. He submitted this paddle for testing, he wasn’t trying to cheat. It’s obvious that they’d find this substance on the paddle. Now what is cheating is submitting 30 paddles just to pass a few. If you know statistics every testing method has a level of error associated with it, if you keep giving them illegal paddles eventually one will pass just purely off of testing error.

[@Rock-cz5hv]

Creasy

[@pickleballtechdude]

Fr