A recent string of pickleball paddle thefts has struck D.C.-area sports shops, highlighting the sport's surging popularity and the growing demand for equipment. Shops like Tennis Zone Plus in D.C., Alpine Ski Shop in Virginia, and Tennis Topia in Rockville have collectively lost thousands of dollars worth of paddles, with Tennis Topia alone reporting $4,500 in stolen merchandise. This local issue reflects a national trend, as seen with a $30,000 paddle theft in Colorado earlier this year.

As COVID-19 restrictions disrupted traditional sports in 2020, Christina Chin found a new athletic passion in pickleball. Chin, who grew up playing hockey, discovered the game’s accessibility and ease of learning, quickly transitioning from the ice rink to pickleball courts. Now, four years later, she’s preparing to take a sabbatical from her consulting job to focus on competitive pickleball as the sport’s first professional tour arrives in Canada.

Pickleball, once a niche backyard game, has skyrocketed in popularity across the United States. The new documentary, Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story, directed by Ashley Underwood, captures the essence of this meteoric rise and the frenzy to capitalize on the sport's booming success. Premiered at the San Francisco Documentary Festival, the film is available online for a limited time, offering an exclusive glimpse into the world of pickleball enthusiasts, from senior citizens to billionaire investors.

Rodney “Rocket” Grubbs, once celebrated as pickleball’s “ultimate ambassador,” is now embroiled in a financial scandal after taking nearly $50 million from investors, many of whom claim they were misled. Grubbs, 68, is in involuntary bankruptcy, admitting to owe $47.5 million plus interest. While he insists he intended to repay the investors, the repayment process has been slow, if it happens at all. The situation has left many investors, like Bob Zitnick, questioning their trust and judgment, as they hold promissory notes from Grubbs amounting to millions.

Downtown Louisville is set to transform into a pickleball paradise this summer with the inaugural Downtown Pickleball Street Fest on June 29 and 30. This exciting new festival promises to bring together athleticism and community spirit in the heart of the city. Organized by the Louisville Downtown Partnership, the event will combine the thrill of pickleball with the charm of live music, delectable food, and unique local vendors, offering an unforgettable experience for both players and attendees.

James Ignat boasts the fastest serve in pickleball, but the power behind his serve isn’t just about brute strength. By mastering three key techniques, you can unleash similar power in your game. James’s serve power comes from a combination of a closed stance, a specific knee bend, and precise ball placement. These elements work together to maximize the serve’s speed and spin. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate player, adopting these techniques can significantly improve your serve.

Pickleball players often make critical mistakes that cost them points. One common error is attempting cute drop shots that try to barely clear the net. While it might seem tempting to execute these delicate shots, they often lead to errors, giving the opponent easy points. Instead, players should focus on keeping their opponents deep, forcing pop-ups that are easier to smash away for high-percentage points.

Crenshaw Pickleball Club has taken a giant leap forward by joining the GPT Store. This exciting development means that the club’s unique insights, strategies, and expertise are now just a click away. Check out our new offering, "Pickleball Pro by Crenshaw Pickleball Club," on the GPT Store at chat.openai.com. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, our GPT-powered tool is designed to enhance your skills and deepen your love for the game.

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.