Evidence is key.
Professional equipment changes with sponsors, product generations, and personal preference. PaddleSetups records what can be supported now, not what would make the table look full.
Our core rule: a confirmed structured claim must have a source URL, source type, and date observed. If it does not, the build fails.
Field states
Confirmed
The cited source supports the claim at the level stated, such as a reported model family or use at a dated event. Confirmed does not guarantee use in the latest match or establish a hidden custom build. Each citation shows the source's publication date, or the day we checked an undated source.
Most likely
The cited evidence supports a leading paddle candidate, with a visible explanation of the inference and what remains unresolved. A sponsorship or signature collaboration alone does not establish use.
Pending
The field was checked, but the public record does not yet support a value. The page shows the check date and explanation.
Conflicting
Credible sources disagree or report different readings. Both candidates remain visible with their own sources.
Reported models and observed use
Confirmed is the main badge for a supported claim. The source, date and accompanying note explain its basis: a brand, tour or player report, or a dated observation. A confirmed brand report supports what the brand names; it does not imply that we watched the player's latest match. A supported model family can be shown even when its generation, shape or thickness is still pending.
An observed-use note means the player and paddle were identified in original footage at the stated event and date. One clear sighting can confirm use at that event without establishing use in every later match. The citation includes a timecode. Distinguishing features are compared with official product references, and a second reviewer checks the footage before the observation is accepted. A video upload date alone does not establish when the player used the paddle.
We look for video leads during research and use targeted viewing to investigate unresolved active-player models and conflicting reports. If the footage cannot distinguish the model, the page keeps that uncertainty. Appearance does not establish private weight, core thickness or hidden customization.
Current versus historical
A player's previous setup is not silently promoted to current gear. Player pages separate the current sponsor-backed record from historical customization and attach an era to both.
What counts as a source
We prioritize player statements, interviews, sponsor announcements, brand specifications, dated video frames, and direct social posts. Retail pages can establish a product's specification; they do not automatically establish that a specific player games it.
Thickness values name the reporting source, for example "16mm, Per PPA Tour." "Model spec" means the factory thickness of the reported paddle, supported by both the player-use source and the manufacturer's specification. This also applies when all reported model candidates share the same thickness. It does not establish the thickness of a custom build. Multiple possible thicknesses, unresolved generations, and undocumented prototypes stay pending.
Tournament results
Player cards can show up to three of the best recorded top-eight results within the past three years. Results are ordered by finish, then by date when finishes are equal. The fuller profile record keeps the event, tour, division, partner or team, date and official sources together. Selected verified results may not cover every tournament appearance.
Quarterfinalist and semifinalist are round names. We do not turn them into fifth place, fourth place or bronze unless official results establish that placing. Age divisions, open pro events and team results stay labeled separately. The date is the result date when established, otherwise the event's end date. The three-year window is recalculated when the site is built.
A tournament result does not establish which paddle was used at that event. Equipment claims keep their own evidence and dates.
Corrections and outreach
When a player, brand, or reader provides a better source, the record changes through a dated correction or changelog entry. Player-verified language requires written permission; a sponsorship relationship alone is not proof of a custom setup.
What shopping does not change
Shopping links are secondary to the answer. Any future retailer links will be centralized, disclosed near the first link, marked as sponsored, and kept separate from claims about player endorsement.