
Mastering Pickleball: Three Winning Strategies
Understanding these three fundamental rules of good pickleball strategy can significantly enhance your game. The first rule focuses on keeping your opponents back when your team is up at the net. The key is to hit shots that make it difficult for them to advance. This involves aiming for the depth of their feet and using a mix of power and spin to maintain control. By doing so, you prevent them from moving forward and taking control of the point.

Breaking Barriers: How Pickleball is Uniting Charlotte's Black Community
A Charlotte-based pickleball organization is transforming how Black communities view this increasingly popular sport. Founded by Kayla Brooks in 2023, Black Pickleball & Co. aims to enhance socioeconomic mobility by involving Black professionals in pickleball, fostering networking opportunities and community engagement. Brooks' efforts have led to regular events at venues like Rally and Lab City in Charlotte, where a previously overlooked demographic is now finding a welcoming space to connect and play.

No Man’s Land: Pickleballer Fined for Improperly Poaching Tennis Court
With pickleball surging in popularity, Staten Island players are facing a shortage of courts, leading to conflicts with law enforcement. On June 11, NYC Parks Enforcement Patrol officers issued a $50 summons to a pickleball player who took over tennis courts at Fairview Park in Charleston for pickleball use. This incident highlights the growing tension between pickleball enthusiasts and local regulations as the sport's demand outpaces available facilities.

In Anguilla, Come for the Luxury Resorts, Stay for the Pickleball
Anguilla, a hidden gem in the Caribbean, is becoming a haven for both luxury seekers and pickleball enthusiasts. Known for its pristine beaches and upscale resorts, the island is now attracting middle-class visitors who come to play pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in North America. The sport's rise in popularity has led to the development of new pickleball courts, making Anguilla a top destination for fans of the game.

Beginner Tips for Mastering Pickleball: Serving and Returning
When starting to learn pickleball, the most important skills to focus on are the serve and the return. These are the only two shots that occur in every rally, making their consistency crucial. Many beginners struggle with serving due to overthinking, leading to mistakes. The key is to simplify your motion and aim for the middle of the court to maximize your margin for error. This approach helps build confidence and consistency, which translates to other aspects of your game.

Mastering the Backhand in Pickleball: A Comprehensive Guide
Backhands are among the hardest shots to master in pickleball, but with the right techniques and consistent practice, you can turn this potential weakness into a strength. Most players struggle with their backhand because they lack proper form, making improvement nearly impossible. This guide will walk you through various types of backhands, including the drive, slice, drop, and two-handed backhand, along with the common mistakes players make and effective drills for practice.

From No-Man's-Land to Pickleball Paradise: Brooklyn Bridge's New Courts
Twelve new pickleball courts are set to open under the Brooklyn Bridge, marking the first time in 15 years that this area will be accessible to the public. CityPickle, the company behind numerous New York pickleball courts, won the proposal to transform Anchorage Plaza into a vibrant recreational hub. In addition to the courts, the plan includes a dog run, food trucks, a tree nursery, art installations, beach chairs, restrooms, and more. The project, approved by the NYC Parks Department, is scheduled to start construction soon, with a targeted opening in spring 2025.

Bear Cubs Embrace Pickleball Craze in Tahoe City
In a delightful twist to the growing popularity of pickleball, two curious black bear cubs in Tahoe City, California, were caught on camera helping themselves to pickleball paddles outside a cabin. The video, captured by KCRA 3 viewer Josh Klekowski, shows the cubs rummaging through a wagon filled with recreational items while their mother watched from a distance. The adorable sight highlights that the love for pickleball is not limited to humans.

Pickleball Now Has an Official Food—and It's Not What You'd Expect
Pickleball, America's fastest-growing sport, has recently declared its official fruit: the blueberry. In a unique partnership between Major League Pickleball and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), this initiative aims to raise awareness about the health benefits of blueberries among pickleball enthusiasts. The collaboration encourages players to incorporate more blueberries into their diets for a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Transform Your Driveway into a Pickleball Paradise
Pickleball has rapidly grown in popularity, attracting players of all ages with its unique blend of elements from tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. As more people discover the joy of this fast-paced game, the desire to have a personal pickleball court has surged. If you’re a homeowner with some extra space, you might be wondering: can you build a pickleball court in your driveway? The answer is yes! Whether you want a simple setup or a professional-grade court, this guide will walk you through the key considerations and steps involved.

Las Vegas Hosts Inaugural World Pickleball Convention
The first annual World Pickleball Convention took place this past weekend at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event featured 20 panel sessions, dozens of speakers, a vendor exhibition, and a pickleball tournament played on temporary courts within the convention hall. Industry leaders and visionaries gathered in Vegas to discuss the state of the sport and its future.

Bill Gates Lists $59M Yacht 'Wayfinder' Featuring Pickleball Court
Bill Gates has listed 'Wayfinder,' his support vessel for the hydrogen-powered superyacht, for $59 million, ending his sea-faring dreams for good. This impressive vessel features a helipad that doubles as a pickleball court, a medical room, a fold-out gym, and a garage filled with water toys, offering luxury and sport combined on the high seas.

Mastering the Art of Spin Dinks in Pickleball
In pickleball, mastering different types of spin on your dinks can transform your game, turning defensive plays into offensive opportunities. By utilizing top spin, back spin, and flat dinks, you can control the pace and placement of the ball, keeping your opponents on their toes. Let’s delve into how to effectively use these three types of spin to enhance your pickleball strategy and dominate at the kitchen line.

Revolutionizing Pickleball: Inside Katy’s AI-Driven Pickle Point
Pickle Point, a new tech-savvy pickleball facility in Katy, is set to revolutionize the sport with its AI-driven approach. Located at 23437 Clay Road, this 19,200-square-foot venue features eight indoor and four outdoor courts, all equipped with advanced AI technology designed to enhance the gameplay experience. Though the official opening date is still pending, the facility is currently in its soft-opening phase, generating significant buzz among pickleball enthusiasts.

Inside Rally Pickleball’s Plan to Become the Topgolf of Pickleball
Rally Pickleball, a new player in the booming pickleball market, is setting its sights on becoming the Topgolf of pickleball. With high-tech enhancements, delicious food, and a strong focus on design, Rally aims to revolutionize the pickleball experience. The company launched its first location in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2023, featuring eight indoor and outdoor courts, two restaurants, a coffee shop, co-working spaces, and private event areas. With plans to expand to Denver, Nashville, and D.C., Rally is betting on its patent-pending gamification technology to stand out in a crowded market.

Pickleball Paddle Theft Hits D.C.-Area Sports Shops
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.

Professional Pickleball Gains Momentum in Canada, Inspires Players to Rethink Careers
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.

Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story - A New Documentary on America's Fastest-Growing Sport
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.

Pickleball’s ‘Ultimate Ambassador’ Faces Backlash Over $50 Million Investment Scheme
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.

Inaugural Pickleball Festival to Energize Downtown Louisville This Summer
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.