If you’re looking for a fun way to stay active while adding years to your life, racquet sports might just be the answer. Studies suggest that playing sports like tennis, pickleball, and padel can significantly boost longevity—sometimes even more than traditional workouts like jogging or cycling. The combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise, social interaction, and full-body movement make these sports an unbeatable option for lifelong health. But what is it about swinging a racquet that makes it so effective at keeping players fit and thriving well into old age?

The landscape of pickleball is evolving, and if you’re playing the same way you did two years ago, you’re already behind. With the game getting faster and more aggressive, strategies need to adapt. Gone are the days of passive serving, predictable third shots, and conservative mid-court resets. To stay competitive in 2025, players must maximize their serve, incorporate hybrid third-shot strategies, and master attacking from the transition zone. The most successful players are shifting towards offensive, proactive tactics that dictate the point rather than react to it.

Many pickleball players focus on perfecting their shots but completely neglect movement—a crucial mistake that leads to being out of position, off-balance, and a step too slow. Proper movement can dramatically improve reaction time, shot accuracy, and overall performance. The foundation starts with an athletic stance, keeping knees bent, weight on the toes, and maintaining a wide base for better stability. From there, incorporating split steps before each shot allows for quicker reactions, especially when transitioning to the kitchen line after a return. If you’re standing flat-footed or moving casually, you’re already at a disadvantage.

Pickleball strategy is evolving, and the third shot drop might be losing ground to a more aggressive approach. Traditionally, the drop has been the go-to third shot, designed to neutralize opponents and allow players to move up to the kitchen. However, with paddles advancing and player skill levels rising, a well-placed third shot drive or even a lob can put immense pressure on opponents and create better scoring opportunities. The argument is simple: the drop rarely wins outright, whereas a powerful drive or an unexpected lob forces errors, sets up put-away shots, and keeps opponents on their heels.

Knowing when to attack and when to defend in pickleball is the difference between controlling a rally and losing a point. Decision-making at the non-volley zone (NVZ) is critical, and recognizing whether you are in an offensive or defensive position should dictate your shot selection. Many players make the mistake of attacking from off-balance, awkward contact points, or bad positioning, which hands the advantage to their opponent. Instead, understanding the **three key factors—contact point, balance, and position—**will help you control the game instead of just reacting to it.

Pickleball is about strategy, positioning, and shot selection, not just power. If you’re a 50+ player looking to stay competitive, these five essential tips will help you outthink and outplay your opponents. From mastering the non-volley zone to anticipating attacks, learning how to play smarter, not harder is the key to success. The goal? Get to the kitchen, stay ready for fast shots, and stop making the same mistakes that keep you stuck at the baseline.

If your backhand is a liability, you’re not alone. It’s one of the toughest shots to master in pickleball, and most players make the same mistakes—using too much wrist, poor grip selection, or failing to prepare their body properly. But here’s the good news: with the right grip, technique, and strategy, your backhand can become a strength instead of a weakness. Whether you need a consistent drop, a deep slice return, or a powerful drive, mastering the fundamentals will instantly elevate your game.

If you’re making these 10 common mistakes, you’re handing your opponents free points. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate player, fixing these bad habits will immediately improve your game. Let’s break it down from the baseline to the kitchen—so you can stop losing and start dominating.

Pickleball is getting faster than ever, and if you’re still relying on the old-school, slow-arching third shot drop, you’re falling behind. The game has evolved, with faster paddles, more aggressive speed-ups, and a heavy preference for drives over drops. But does that mean the drop is dead? Absolutely not. Instead, players must modernize their approach, learning to hit an offensive drop that transitions seamlessly from defense to attack.

Palm Springs is moving forward with a $6 million expansion of its pickleball courts at Demuth Park, aiming to double the number of courts from 12 to 24 while adding a tournament-level, ADA-accessible court, better lighting, shade structures, and other amenities. The project, expected to start in April 2025, has been met with excitement—but also frustration from local players worried about the temporary court closures during the eight-month construction period. Officials assure the community that the plan is progressing, though not as fast as some had hoped.

When Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf first picked up a pickleball paddle in 2020, they were like millions of others—just looking for a way to stay active. Now, the two tennis legends are headlining one of the sport’s biggest events, The Pickleball Slam, proving just how deeply the game has embedded itself in the sports world. Alongside Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard, they’ll compete for a $1 million prize, bringing elite tennis talent to the fast-growing sport in a way that was unthinkable just a few years ago.

For Shannon Gaston, the owner of Crushcakes & Café, pickleball started as a fun hobby and quickly turned into something much bigger. After falling in love with the game in 2023—and even meeting her partner on the courts—she realized that the public pickleball scene was missing something: privacy, exclusivity, and a relaxed, social atmosphere. That’s when she decided to convert an old tennis court on her parents’ property into Crush Courts, Santa Barbara’s newest private pickleball retreat.

The fourth shot in pickleball is a game-changer—but most players don’t realize it. Everyone drills the third shot drop or drive, but what happens next? If you’re not attacking at the right moment or keeping your counters low and controlled, you’re giving away free points.

Feeling stuck at a 3.0 or 3.5 skill level? You’re not alone. Many players hit a wall and struggle to break through to 4.0, unsure of what’s holding them back. The good news? There’s a single drill that could completely change your game. By focusing on mastering the first four shots in every point, you’ll develop precision, consistency, and court awareness that will accelerate your progress faster than mindless hitting sessions.

Pickleball fans rejoice! The Tennis Channel and United Pickleball Association (UPA) have launched the PickleballTV App, offering live matches, on-demand content, instructional videos, and exclusive lifestyle programming for just $5.99/month (or $59.99/year), with a 30-day free trial.

Six-time MLB All-Star J.D. Martinez is already mapping out his post-baseball career—and it involves pickleball. The 14-year veteran has signed a deal with JOOLA to transition into professional pickleball after retirement, receiving coaching, equipment, and sponsorship for events like the PPA Challenger Series.

The Michelob Ultra Super Bowl ad starring Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara has caught the attention of the pickleball world—but aside from the star-studded cast, there’s another major highlight: the distinctive gold-edged paddles wielded by the hustling duo. These paddles, designed by Dope Pickleball, are the brainchild of Domenic Fotino, an entrepreneur who spent years perfecting the first-ever chrome-gold edge guard paddle.

Jared Paul is shaking up Major League Pickleball. As the new General Manager of the Nashville-based MLP franchise, Paul brings his social media and marketing expertise from The Kitchen to an ambitious rebranding effort. His open tryout initiative, guaranteeing a UPA player contract, is a game-changing move in pro sports recruitment.

The PPA took a bold step onto the international stage this past weekend with the first-ever Australia Pickleball Open, marking the tour’s first pro event outside of U.S. soil. The 1000-level tournament saw 382 players compete in full pro draws, headlined by a mix of top traveling pros and Australia’s growing crop of elite players. With electric matchups across singles, doubles, and mixed divisions, the event was a thrilling showcase of pickleball’s global expansion. Gabriel Tardio, Kaitlyn Christian, Tyson McGuffin, and Lacy Schneemann were among the standout performers, with Tardio securing his first career PPA singles gold.