Innholdsfortegnelse for May/June 2025 i Pickleball Magazine

This year’s US Open Pickleball Championships, dubbed the Biggest Pickleball Party in the World, showcased eight-time Grand Slam tennis legend Andre Agassi. Agassi, who celebrated his 55th birthday during the tournament, won his professional pickleball debut teaming with Anna Leigh Waters, 18, in the mixed pro division. The pair were among 3,500 participants from all 50 states and 40 countries competing in junior, amateur and pro divisions. Here are some highlights: In women’s singles, Megan Fudge took gold against reigning USA Pickleball National Champion Bobbi Oshiro. A silver medalist in last year’s US Open, Chris Haworth captured gold in men’s singles against Grayson Goldin. Anna Leigh Waters and Leigh Waters are almost impossible to beat. They won gold, polishing off the match 11-4 in the second game. They have now…

We’d Like to Hear From You! Send your questions to rules@pickleballmagazine.com. "The group I play with has a couple of players who toss the ball up just before they serve. They do this for both the volley serve and the drop serve. I’m confused about when you can toss the ball upward before you hit your serve. Recently I was at a tournament where some matches did not have referees, and I saw this same upward toss of the ball before some players served. If you are a tournament player, and you have no referee, what option do you have when you think an opponent’s serve might not be legal?" It’s important to distinguish between the volley serve and the drop serve. Those using the volley serve can toss the…

Nestled in the scenic foothills of northern Georgia, Chateau Elan Winery & Resort offers a unique blend of European charm and Southern hospitality. This sprawling 3,500-acre estate, a mere 40 minutes north of Atlanta, has evolved into a premier destination for wine enthusiasts, spa goers, and, increasingly, pickleball aficionados. With its luxurious accommodations, award-winning winery, and top-notch racquet club managed by Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Chateau Elan promises an unforgettable experience for players of all levels. Beyond its reputation as a haven for racquet sports, Chateau Elan boasts an impressive array of amenities designed to cater to every whim. The resort’s centerpiece is its winery, modeled after a 16th century French chateau, where guests can indulge in daily tours and tastings. Culinary delights abound, with five distinct restaurants, a speakeasy, a…

At the 5.0+ and professional levels, pickleball is no longer just about mechanics and athleticism—it becomes a thinking person’s game. Patterns, tempo shifts, anticipation, deception, and shot discipline all converge to create a match that resembles chess more than it does a backyard paddle sport. While consistency and fundamentals remain crucial, what separates the elite is their ability to create, recognize, and manipulate patterns of play—and to do so dynamically, adjusting and layering strategies throughout a match. This article dives into the high-level strategic frameworks that top players use to control points, create opportunities, and mentally dominate their opponents. 1. STRATEGIC PATTERNING: PLAYING THREE SHOTS AHEAD High-level players don’t just react—they plan. Every shot is part of a broader sequence. Think of the way a boxer sets up a knockout…

USA Pickleball Serves Announces ‘Play it Forward’ Grant Program USA Pickleball Serves announced that the Play it Forward grant program is now open. This is the first monetary grant program offered by USA Pickleball Serves. “USA Pickleball Serves’ Play it Forward Grant was developed to support community organizations invested in creating more places to play in underserved communities and heavily populated player communities,” said Brenda Puga, USA Pickleball’s director of community relations. Two community organizations will receive $50,000 to fund a pickleball court installation or conversion. Applications will be reviewed by the USA Pickleball Serves Grant Committee and announced on National Pickleball Day (Aug. 8). Organizations must be applying for a specific pickleball location in the United States or its territories, have a physical office or presence in the local…

AIREO SPORTS INC TITAN HAWK L14 Suggested Retail: $259.00 Core Material: PP10, Gen 3 Surface: Titanium (Metal) + Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 8.2 Colors: Silver, Pink AIREO SPORTS INC TITAN HAWK L16 Suggested Retail: $259.00 Core Material: PP10 + Hyper-Foam Surface: Titanium (Metal) + Raw Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 8.25 Colors: Silver, Pink AISO RYU Suggested Retail: $99.99 Core Material: Edge Foam Injection with Polypropylene Honeycomb and Gen 3 Foam Construction Surface: Titanium Coated Polyester x Toray T700 Carbon Fiber Weave Weight (oz): 8.3 Colors: Black FURA EXTREME VELOCITY Suggested Retail: $44.99 Core Material: Fiberglass Surface: X2 Graphite Rough Texture Weight (oz): 8.0 Colors: FURA Blue, Pink GHERKINUSA NIGHTSHADE Suggested Retail: $135.00 Core Material: 14mm Polymer Honeycomb, 10mm Wide Cells Surface: Carbon Fiber – Fiberglass – Carbon Fiber Weight (oz):…

JOOLA ANDRE AGASSI PRO PADDLE REVIEW Look/Cosmetics: 3/5 This paddle has the same measurements as the Perseus (16.5" x 7.5"), with a 5.5" grip length, but the “tennis-inspired” shape is slightly different with rounded corners. Comes in 14mm and 16mm thickness (mine was 16 mm). My playtest paddle came in at 8.1 oz. Eager to see how the Agassi model differs from the Ben Johns Perseus model. Serves/Returns/Groundstrokes: 4.5/5 This Agassi model does not have the raw power of the Johns model, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a power-oriented paddle—it is, and I found more control and predictability in my shots with this model. For that reason, I preferred it to the Perseus. I was quickly able to swing away without fear of hitting long, and directional control seemed…

It’s an exciting year at USA Pickleball! We’re thrilled to have announced that the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships will be held this November at the Barnes Tennis Center in sunny San Diego. As the longest-standing—and only—national championships in pickleball, this year’s Nationals will build on the success of 2024, while continuing to elevate the experience for both players and spectators. We will be sharing updates about Nationals throughout the summer, including our plans to give back to the wonderful San Diego community through our charitable arm, USA Pickleball Serves. Stay tuned! If you haven’t punched your ticket to Nationals yet, there is still time. The only path to Nationals is through a Golden Ticket tournament. USA Pickleball is heading to Colorado Springs July 9-13, at Peak Pickleball, for the…

Riviera Italian Canvas Pickleball Tote This elevated tote will effortlessly up your pickleball game. Made from durable Italian canvas with real leather accents, it has an open top, lots of pockets, a zippered exterior paddle pocket and leather key fob—everything you need to make a style statement, whether pickleball is a weekend hobby or your day job. Add an embroidered monogram for a personal touch. Brand: Mark & Graham Price: $199 markandgraham.com Pickleball Swim Trunks – Dink Shot Designed for both adults and kids, these stylish and quick-drying trunks feature fun pickleball-inspired prints, an adjustable drawstring waist, and built-in mesh lining for ultimate comfort. Perfect for beach days, poolside lounging, or post-game cool-offs, they bring the love of pickleball to every adventure! Brand: ChalkTalk Sports Price: $39.99 chalktalksports.com Personalized Pickleball…

As if the sport of pickleball needed any more residual hype, who comes along now but a tennis legend to grace the courts of the Pro Mixed Doubles division at the US Open in Naples, Florida. The name should be familiar to you: Andre Agassi. The eight-time Grand Slam singles champion was paired with another recognizable name, Anna Leigh Waters, who just happens to be the queen of the courts in the world of pickleball. Agassi, winner of the career Golden Slam in tennis—and recently coming off a win at Pickleball Slam 3 in his hometown of Las Vegas—had high praise for ALW. “She’s right up there with the greatest ever in what she does, and the idea of challenging myself to not screw things up for her is daunting.”…

Golden Ticket Tournaments MAY 28-JUNE 1 USA Pickleball Greensboro Golden Ticket Presented by OceanviewGreensboro, NC • Greensboro Complex Special Event Center MAY 28-JUNE 2 UTR Sports St. George Open St. George, UT • Little Valley Pickleball Complex JUNE 25-29 California Pickleball Championships San Francisco, CA • The HUB Sports Complex JULY 1-6 APP Newport Beach Open Newport Beach, CA • The Tennis & Pickleball Club at Newport Beach JULY 9-13 USA Pickleball Colorado Springs Golden Ticket Presented by Zimmer Biomet Colorado Springs, CO • Peak Pickleball North JUNE 19-22 APP Next Gen TOUR $15K St. Louis, MO • Chicken N Pickle JULY 25-27 World of Pickleball – Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD • Linda Erickson Pickleball Complex South JUNE 20-22 Beat the Heat Open Flagstaff, AZ • NAU Tennis Center…

When asked, most people will say it’s important to “work out” on a regular basis. However, rarely will you hear, “It’s important to develop my mobility and stability.” Most of us are used to going to the gym and performing typical workout exercises such as bicep curls, chest press, hamstring curls, knee extension, leg press, lat pulls, and the good old abduction machine. The problem with all these exercises is that they are not specific to the activity we’re performing, they occur in one plane of motion, and they do not address any mobility and stability issues. When someone starts exercising to build strength without considering their potential mobility and stability deficits first, it can lead to higher risks of injury. What does this mean? If you think of developing…

Age: 28 Hometown: Fair Haven, New Jersey. Currently living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Marital status: Engaged; wedding is October 4. Rating: DUPR 5.89 doubles, 6.23 singles. Favorite tournament: PPA – Cary, North Carolina You had an outstanding collegiate tennis career at the University of Michigan. What did tennis teach you that helps you in your professional pickleball career? I learned how to compete. Grit and tenacity. Match after match you have to dig deep. It is important to learn how to win when you are not playing your best. I have always been competitive. As a little kid I even wanted to make sure my pencil was sharper. My parents played an equal role in my development, but my competitiveness comes from my mom. What is the difference between a…

No, not that kind. We are examining how to maintain a winning streak on your side and how to stop one on the opponents’ side. Why are there streaks in pickleball? Quantitative studies indicate they do not exist. The concept of psychological momentum is more a matter of random chance according to Wikipedia. It comes down to the qualitative aspects. Team planning and good coaching matters. You need to know your strengths and those of your partner so you can maximize your abilities. Winning a point gives your team a psychological boost. You need to share it to pump up your partner. A good example of sharing and feeding off your partner’s success was the March Madness final where Walter Clayton, Jr. energized the Florida Gators, who pulled ahead at…

The pickleball world is packing its paddles and heading to the West Coast! San Diego has officially been named the host city for the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships, set to take place Nov. 15-23 at the Barnes Tennis Center. “As the pinnacle tournament in our sport, the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships in San Diego will feature elite-level competition, with only the most skilled players qualifying to participate in this prestigious tournament. The Barnes Tennis Center will provide an exceptional backdrop, offering a dynamic atmosphere for both participants and spectators alike,” said USA Pickleball CEO Mike Nealy. “We are committed to enhancing the experience for all involved while continuing to deliver a world-class event, and are thrilled to honor the passion and talent within the pickleball community in San…

From scorekeeping to rules enforcement, referees play a vital role in ensuring high-quality, consistent tournament play. Check out these scenes from the Mesa Golden Ticket tournament at the Arizona Athletic Grounds April 9-13, 2025. All matches at USA Pickleball Golden Ticket tournaments are fully sanctioned, meaning every match is officiated by a certified referee. Referees are an essential part of the sport’s continued growth. With the rising popularity of pickleball, the demand for trained referees has never been higher. If you’re interested in becoming a USA Pickleball referee, now is a great time to get involved! Visit usapickleball.org/referee to explore the resources, training, and steps needed to get started.…

http://www.pprpickleball.org In pickleball, pressure is your best friend—when it’s applied strategically. But most players default to one kind: hitting hard and fast. The players who really dominate understand that there’s more than one way to make your opponents uncomfortable. The two key types? Forward Pressure and Lateral Pressure. Let’s break them down. Forward Pressure: Speed, Power, and Pace This is the type of pressure most players start with—drives, speed-ups, and aggressive volleys. It’s about hitting hard, forcing fast reactions, and trying to overpower your opponents. It absolutely has its place, especially when you catch someone off guard or out of position. Example: Forward Pressure – Speed-Up Combo You are Player B and receive a dink that is attackable in the outside quadrant of the court. A great speedup combo is…