In a surprising turn of events, tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who recently criticized pickleball for “endangering” tennis, is set to play a pickleball match against world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. The match will take place during The HEAD NYC Mash Up, just days before Djokovic defends his U.S. Open title. This move highlights the growing popularity of pickleball, even among top tennis players, despite Djokovic’s earlier concerns that the sport’s rise could threaten tennis at the club level. The event will also feature two-time major tennis champion Barbora Krejcikova, adding further star power to the crossover between the two sports.

The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) made history with its first-ever event in Bristol, Tennessee, the IMG Hotels & Resorts 2024 Bristol Open. The tournament was filled with excitement and surprises, especially in the singles and doubles competitions. Ben Johns claimed the Men’s Pro Singles gold, continuing his dominance over Federico Staksrud. Meanwhile, in the Women's Pro Singles, Brooke Buckner secured her spot at the top by overcoming Kaitlyn Christian. The Men's Pro Doubles final saw Quang Duong earn his first PPA gold alongside Christian Alshon, defeating the Johns brothers. In Women’s Pro Doubles, the unstoppable duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau triumphed once again. As the PPA season heats up, the tour prepares to move on to Salt Lake City for another thrilling weekend of pickleball action.

San Francisco is making strides in making pickleball more accessible to everyone. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, in collaboration with Rec Technologies, has launched a pilot program aimed at providing safe and affordable pickleball and tennis lessons. This initiative allows players of all skill levels to book one-on-one or small group lessons through an online portal, with professional instructors who have been background-checked and licensed by the program. The goal is to offer high-quality instruction at a fraction of the cost of private lessons, making the sport more accessible to a broader audience.

Improving your pickleball game doesn't have to be complicated. With just five simple drills, you can dramatically enhance your skills on the court. These drills, designed to target specific scenarios, will help you develop confidence, consistency, and control. One of the most challenging situations in pickleball is being stuck in the midcourt while your opponent is ready to slam the ball. By practicing a drill where you face slams from the kitchen line, you’ll learn to defend and stay in the rally, even from a compromised position.

Choosing the right grip in pickleball can make all the difference in your game, whether you're a beginner or an advanced player. The most commonly recommended grip is the Continental grip, often referred to as the "hammer grip." This grip offers versatility, allowing players to comfortably switch between forehand and backhand volleys, as well as execute effective dinks. For those looking to add more spin to their shots, the Eastern grip or a slight variation of it might be the way to go. This grip can help you generate more spin on forehand rolls without sacrificing too much control on the backhand side.

If you want to take your pickleball game to the next level, there are three fundamental strategies that can help you beat virtually any opponent. First, target your opponent's backhand. Most players have a weaker backhand compared to their forehand, making this an effective way to force errors and reduce the chances of them attacking. Second, always prioritize getting your third shot in the court, even if it's a bit high. Staying in the rally increases your chances of eventually gaining control of the kitchen. Finally, know when to attack and when to reset—attack when the ball is high and reset when it’s low. These strategies are used by pros and can significantly improve your gameplay.

In response to growing frustration with inconsistent pickleball balls, Life Time, a luxury fitness club company, has created its own "ultimate pickleball" to improve the sport’s experience for its members. The new ball, set to debut exclusively at Life Time clubs later this month, was developed under the guidance of Life Time's CEO and founder, Bahram Akradi, who has been deeply invested in pickleball's rapid rise. Akradi's commitment to the sport is part of Life Time's broader strategy, which has already seen significant returns, including a 57% rise in the company's stock this year.

Pickleball Con at the Kansas City Convention Center proved to be more than just a gathering for pickleball enthusiasts—it became a powerful event that brought together veterans, athletes, and fans of all ages to celebrate the unifying nature of the sport. Gabriel George, a retired Navy veteran, highlighted how pickleball has become more than just a game for him. "This is therapy for me," George said, emphasizing how the social aspect of pickleball helps him give back and connect with others. The event featured teams from across the nation, including a military adaptive sports pickleball team, showcasing the sport’s accessibility and appeal to veterans and disabled athletes.

Tyra "Hurricane" Black's journey from the world of professional tennis to becoming one of the first Black stars in pro pickleball is nothing short of remarkable. A near-death experience during a devastating earthquake in Turkey in 2023 led Black to reevaluate her life and career. Realizing that she no longer found joy in tennis, she made the bold decision to switch to pickleball, a sport that brought her genuine happiness. Within just three months of going pro, Black not only found success but also made history by defeating the world’s No. 1 player, Anna Leigh Waters, and securing her place as one of the top 10 picks in the 2024 Major League Pickleball draft.

Scoring points on your serve is arguably the most important skill for winning more games in pickleball. However, if you're struggling to get from the baseline to the kitchen after your serve or you're constantly on defense, you're likely missing out on scoring streaks and losing more games than necessary. Fortunately, there are six common mistakes that are causing this issue, and they're super easy to fix, making a massive difference in your game.

Today we delve into the intricacies of the third shot drive in pickleball, focusing on where to hit it and how to execute the famous shake and bake. Understanding the strategic targets for your third shot drive can significantly enhance your game. The three primary targets include hitting to the player on the move, targeting the weaker player, and aiming for the middle to create confusion. Each of these strategies, when combined with a well-executed dipping drive, can give you a substantial advantage on the court.

In the dynamic fitness landscape, pickleball – a sport that combines tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements – has become a favorite among the younger generation in Asia, shedding its image as a sport for seniors. For 27-year-old Jeremy Soh and his fiancée Jeovanne Poernomo, pickleball started as a sport for their parents but quickly became their passion. They began traveling to play in competitions across Asia and even established their own pickleball academy, Performance Pickleball, in Singapore. Their facility offers lessons for all ages and has seen a growing interest from companies looking to engage their staff in the sport.

Cantiere delle Marche (CdM) is crafting a unique experience for a fortunate U.S. client by building a 165-foot explorer yacht that includes a full-size pickleball court. This yacht, the second Flexplorer 165 model sold by the Italian shipyard, has been customized to meet the owner's distinct preferences, making it a standout within the explorer range.

There seems to be no middle ground on pickleball. People either love it or they hate it. We’ll leave it to others to debate pickleball’s merits as a sport, but it is good for us as a society. That’s because you can’t play pickleball alone.

Over the years, social scientists have criticized and bemoaned younger generations’ substitution of technology and social media for in-person social interactions. However, the decline in social interaction is older than millennials and Generation Z. People have been talking about the lack of civic engagement in every sphere of life at least as far back as the 1990s, when political scientist Robert Putnam published his essay “Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital.”

Vince Vaughn has acquired a majority ownership stake in the Coachella Valley Scorpions, one of 12 teams in the two-year-old National Pickleball League (NPL). Vaughn, a known pickleball enthusiast and actor, joins co-owner and team member Kim Jagd, who retains a minority share. The NPL, a professional league for players aged 50 and over, has seen significant growth, doubling its teams since its debut season.

Coco Gauff, the American tennis star, found herself in an awkward situation at the Olympics when U.S. rugby player Ilona Maher brought up pickleball. Known for her social media presence, Maher approached Gauff on the street before the Opening Ceremonies in Paris. The conversation turned tense when Maher mentioned pickleball, prompting Gauff to try and walk away before Maher pulled her back. While their interaction was playful, it highlighted Gauff's serious disdain for the rapidly growing paddle sport.

Imagine playing pickleball on a yacht, where every dink and drop shot is performed over the water. That's the unique experience offered by M/Y Aretha, a luxury yacht cruising the Adriatic, which features a full-sized, inflatable pickleball court attached to its side. This floating court has captured attention and raised some playful questions. What happens if the court drifts away? Do paddles double as oars? And does the "kitchen" offer gourmet delights like steak tartar and caviar?

Starting this fall semester, all 25 high schools in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) system will offer pickleball as a varsity sport, according to an announcement made by the school system on Monday. This initiative expands on last year's groundbreaking move when Montgomery County became the first in the nation to introduce varsity pickleball, initially launching teams at 11 schools. The inclusion of pickleball is part of the county’s corollary sports program, which aims to enhance interscholastic athletic opportunities for all students, particularly those with disabilities.

Club in El Segundo. Scheduled to open later this year, the club aims to blend competition with social interaction in a fully converted indoor warehouse. Founder Brett Drogmund, who discovered pickleball during the pandemic, is spearheading this project to create a community-centric space that combines live music, a dance floor, and a full-service bar and restaurant with ten pickleball courts. The club will offer rentable courts, paddles, and balls, and will not require membership fees, making it accessible to all.

Christy’s of Indiana is currently holding an online auction to sell off the entire inventory of the now-defunct Pickleball Rocks business. Jack Christy, Jr., the owner of the Indiana auction house, anticipates a successful auction due to the current high demand for pickleball gear. Spread across 7,000 square feet of storage space at Christy’s, the inventory includes a wide array of pickleball items such as hats, shirts, balls, nets, promotional magnets, license plate frames, and a significant number of paddles. Notably, there are 3,200 carbon fiber paddles, mostly bundled in lots of four to attract individual buyers and players.