After Jaume Martinez Vich made a men's doubles finals run at PPA Bristol holding a new paddle emblazoned with the familiar three stripes, the whispers started circulating. Could it be true?

Now we know for sure.

Yesterday, the news hit social media, as Jaume and adidas Pickleball made their new partnership Instagram official. The caption gave us a taste:

A world-class talent with relentless drive, Jaume’s skill, passion, and being an ultimate showman on the court make him the perfect addition to our roster.

But we caught up with adidas to learn a little more. They can't disclose full details just yet, but their global vision and reach was a draw for Jaume as soon as he heard they were entering the pickleball space.

"I wanted to partner with a company that not only equips me with the best possible gear, but also shares my vision for growing pickleball globally," Jaume told The Dink. "Joining the adidas Pickleball family felt like aligning with a team that’s as committed to elevating the sport as I am."

And speaking of that gear, there's considerable hype building around what paddles adidas will be bringing to market next.

The Metalbone line was innovative to be sure, but never gained mainstream traction.

adidas Pickleball Unveils the All-New Metalbone Paddle Line

For nearly 100 years, adidas has been outfitting elite athletes with world-class gear. New today, they’ve re-entered the pickleball market with a fully redesigned Metalbone lineup.

The Dink PickleballAlex E. Weaver

Whatever Jaume was swinging in Tennessee could bode well for what comes next.

"adidas is a brand known for its innovation," he said. "I have never had a paddle with a foam-injected core. Competing with the latest technology feels great."

Jaume has been the face of Six Zero for years, whose paddles feature a Gen-2 construction with a honeycomb polymer core.

For him, adidas bring a new scale, and some new tech, from a brand sponsor.

"I am a crafty player, he said, "so adding a power side to my game opens up new weapons for me."