Pickleball players in San Francisco are protesting a proposed $5-per-hour fee for court reservations, arguing it unfairly targets a sport known for its accessibility. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD) approved the fee to discourage "no-shows" but now faces backlash from players who believe the cost will limit access, especially for seniors and those on fixed incomes. The measure will be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors in June, with pickleball players actively petitioning and writing letters to oppose it.

Pickleball's surge in popularity has met a sinister foe in New York City, where an unidentified vigilante is targeting the sport with a series of destructive acts. Over the past week, players at Riverside Park have found their courts vandalized, with nets cut, poles trashed, and equipment stolen or damaged. Despite the relentless attacks, the exact motives of this anti-pickleball crusader remain unknown. The local pickleball community is rallying together, determined to keep their courts active and secure despite the ongoing disruptions.

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and dedication have safeguarded the freedoms we cherish, and their legacy lives on in our hearts. As we gather with family and friends, let's take a moment to reflect on their selfless contributions and express our gratitude for the blessings of liberty and peace they have secured for us all.

Pickleball players and enthusiasts often debate the fairness of the Nasty Nelson, a tactic where the server intentionally aims to hit the opponent before the ball bounces. According to Rule 4.N.1, it’s a fault if the receiver or their partner is touched by the ball before it bounces, even if they are standing behind the baseline. This rule has caused confusion and controversy, particularly when players are hit by fast serves that they couldn't evade. The rationale behind this rule is to maintain simplicity and enforceability, ensuring the game is played fairly and consistently.

Pickleball is more commonly played as a doubles game rather than a singles game. As a result, mastering the art of being the perfect pickleball partner is important. Whether you are playing with a long-time pickleball partner or you find yourself on the same side of the net with someone new when hitting the courts for recreational open play, being in-sync on the pickleball court can be challenging, and sometimes even intimidating. To help us all have more fun, win more games, and become better doubles partners, we have come up with some tips to become the perfect pickleball partner.

In pickleball, many players default to using a backhand for shots at their dominant hip or shoulder, but there's a more effective approach. Instead of relying solely on backhand shots in these situations, incorporating a forehand attack can greatly enhance your game. By practicing this technique, you can become more versatile at the net, allowing you to handle shots with greater precision and power. This method is especially useful when dealing with tricky "chicken wing" shots that often catch players off guard.

The pickleball world is witnessing a seismic shift as two major camps vie for supremacy. On one side, the newly announced United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) aims to become the sport's National Governing Body (NGB), a title currently held by USA Pickleball (USAP) since 1984. UPA-A’s launch on May 15, 2024, follows a series of strategic moves by UPA, which controls the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP). This declaration comes shortly after USAP partnered with the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and UTR Sports, setting the stage for a showdown between these two powerful entities.

As the weather improves I’m happy to be playing tennis again. However, one of the tennis courts in my local park was turned into two pickleball courts, and I’ve joined the apparently large number of people who find the sound of pickleball annoying. I want to try to be rational despite my disappointment at losing a court, so I decided to look into the math of the pickleball sound.

Andre Agassi, the eight-time Grand Slam winner, has become a fervent advocate and investor in pickleball, a sport he believes has immense potential. Unlike some tennis purists who view pickleball as a threat, Agassi sees it as a complementary sport with unique benefits. His investments include millions in the DUPR pickleball ratings system and the Komodo equipment company, driven by his passion and belief in the sport’s growth and community engagement.

The inaugural "Pickleball Minds" conference, held in Princeton, New Jersey, offered a unique forum for discussing the future and business of pickleball. Organized by Amitabh “A.J.” Jain and his team from Rally Sports, the event drew a broad spectrum of industry professionals—from media to equipment manufacturers and club owners—each converging to explore the sport’s commercial and cultural trajectory. With an agenda rich in diverse panel discussions, the conference provided valuable insights into standardization, grassroots efforts, global expansion, and business models within the sport's rapidly evolving landscape.

Pickleball, once a niche sport, has catapulted its top players into the realm of million-dollar earnings, exemplified by Ben Johns, the world's leading professional pickleball player. From a modest $50,000 in 2018, earned mostly through national tournament winnings, Johns' income has skyrocketed to an impressive $2.5 million in 2023 from pickleball salary alone, supplemented further by endorsements and sponsorship deals. This tenfold increase since 2021 underscores the explosive growth and lucrative potential of professional pickleball, fueled by substantial private equity investments and expanding global interest.

In the high-pressure moments before a pickleball tournament match, mastering an efficient five-minute warm-up is crucial. This guide offers a strategic approach to help players maximize their brief preparation time, ensuring they step onto the court fully activated and competition-ready.

Pickleball players seeking to elevate their game must focus on mastering counter shots, an essential skill that separates novices from seasoned players. This guide delves into the techniques and strategies necessary for perfecting counters, providing players at all levels with the tools to enhance their defensive game effectively.

Pickleball, the sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, has seen a meteoric rise in popularity, particularly among the affluent. Once a mere pastime, it has become a key factor in luxury real estate decisions. In locations like Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Florida, luxury buyers are now opting to install private pickleball courts in their vacation homes, with some spending an extra $1 million to accommodate this feature. Senada Adžem, an executive director at Douglas Elliman, notes the shift from traditional tennis courts to pickleball courts, reflecting the sport's growing prestige among the elite.

It all started on a seemingly ordinary day at Tennis Topia in Rockville, where store owner Marco Impeduglia discovered a shocking shortage of paddles. With around $4,500 worth of equipment mysteriously vanishing, one could say things are getting a little... "dink-y." According to Impeduglia, “We didn’t notice it because we were really busy, and then the next day we realized we hadn’t sold that many paddles." It appears that while everyone was busy serving and volleying, a trio of paddle pilferers served themselves.

Over the past few years, professional pickleball has seen a significant shift in the approach to serve returns. Traditionally, players utilized a heavy under spin, producing a high, floating ball that allowed ample time to advance toward the kitchen line. This tactic is giving way to a more aggressive method: the driven serve return. Employing a flat or top-spin heavy groundstroke, this modern strategy reduces the ball's hang time in the air, speeding up its trajectory toward the opponent and decreasing the returner's time to reach the net.

In today's fast-paced world, many individuals face feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Group activities like pickleball, dance, and other physical endeavors offer a valuable way to counteract these emotions, providing both physical exercise and opportunities to forge new social connections. Research shows that moving in sync with others creates a sense of community and closeness, helping people escape from social funks and enjoy a more fulfilling social life.

The popularity of pickleball has soared in recent years, but so have injuries attributed to the sport. Dr. Sanj Kakar, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and wrist disorders at the Mayo Clinic, reports two primary types of pickleball injuries: traumatic injuries, like broken wrists from falls, and overuse injuries, such as tendinitis. Here's how you can prevent these injuries and enjoy the game safely.

Pickleball is reaching beyond its domestic success to target a new frontier: India. In a landmark deal, the United Pickleball Association (UPA) and Global Sports announced plans to introduce the PPA (Professional Pickleball Association) Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) to the world's most populous country. The agreement marks a significant step in pickleball's international growth, expanding the sport's reach into Asia.

Antoine Echavidre's daily routine includes waking his kids, making meals, and running errands. But in between these responsibilities, Echavidre has turned his passion for pickleball into a fulfilling side hustle. The stay-at-home dad, who discovered pickleball during the pandemic, now teaches the sport in California, balancing family life with coaching sessions that generate income and provide him with a sense of independence.