Happy Tuesday! 🎉

Here at The Pickler we are stuck in party mode after The US Open Pickleball Championships. With May around the corner maybe a Dinko-de-Mayo celebration would give us a reason to continue the party?! 🪇 The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World™ has, once again, made history with record-breaking numbers. Keep reading to learn more and for 🚨three special announcements🚨 you won't want to miss! 👇

So, let's dive straight into your pickleball tips, strategies, stories, news, and more... 👏

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#1. THE US OPEN PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS MAKES PICKLEBALL HISTORY AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

The US Open Pickleball Championships is the most prestigious tournament in pickleball. The 2024 Open again set record-breaking numbers. 🎉 Over 3,200 players from all 50 states and 31 countries competed in more than 5,000 matches. With big plans already in store for 2025 and three momentous announcements, The Open is primed to continue making pickleball history.

FEATURED PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENTS FROM PICKLEBALL DEN​

Sign up now for your chance to play in the 2025 US Open Pickleball Championships! Get ready for the YMCA Mid East Regional Pickleball Tournament to be held June 28-30, 2024 at the Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn, PA. The gold medal winners from this tournament will receive a special invitation to the 2025 US Open! REGISTER NOW

Get your paddles ready for The Patriot Mixed Doubles Pickleball Tournament! This student-led tournament benefitting Aubrey Rodgers High School sports programming takes place May 11, 2024 in Naples, Florida. Enjoy great competition at the iconic East Naples Community Park, home of the US Open Pickleball Championships! REGISTER NOW

QUOTES FROM RECENT TOURNAMENTS

#2. MURMURS FROM THE LOSERS’ BRACKET: GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PICKLEBALL METAMUCIL AD

With over 36.5 million Americans hooked on pickleball, finding an actor who can perform on the pickleball court should be a piece of cake, right? 🎬 It appears that Metamucil is still searching for that perfect match who hits all the requirements...and hits pickleballs too!

#3. EVA WELSHER NAMED AS TOURNAMENT CHAIR OF US OPEN PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Pickleball legend and Naples, Florida resident, Eva Welsher, is set to take on an active role in the future of pickleball’s most prestigious event, The US Open Pickleball Championships. In her new role as Tournament Chair, Welsher will serve as a principal ambassador for the US Open in Collier County, nationally and abroad. 🌎

#4. QUICK TIP - FIND THE RIGHT PARTNER

Legendary mother daughter duo Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters reunited on the pickleball court to secure the title of US Open Pickleball Champions! 🎉 Watching Team Waters' incredible bond on the pickleball court at the US Open Pickleball Championships reminds us that when playing doubles pickleball, you must, first and foremost, find the right partner for you. Finding the right pickleball partner can be extremely difficult as you typically want to find someone that is a strong player at your skill level. 🤝 But, sometimes, the best player on paper is not always the best partner for you in reality.

You need to find someone that jibes with your style of play on the court. For instance, if you like to slow the ball down (or speed it up), does your partner have complementary skills that elevate your play? You want the team dynamic to have some synergies and be greater than the sum of parts. You also want to align from a personality and emotional perspective. For instance, do you play best when you are fired up, 🔥 but your partner does not give you the “COME ON!” that you need? Although this can sound silly, this is a factor in your on-court success in competitive play.

Get more tips to play better pickleball with The Pickler’s video series, My Pro Pickleball Coach!

#5. US OPEN PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS SWITCHES TO PICKLEBALL DEN SOFTWARE AND EXPANDS ATHLETE LOTTERY BY TEN PERCENT

The US Open Pickleball Championships will move to Pickleball Den software for the 2025 US OPEN to oversee all player and spectator interactions, as well as the amateur and pro tournaments. By utilizing Pickleball Den software, this will allow the US Open to accept a higher percentage of lottery registrants. 👏

#6. KITCHEN TALK: PICKLEBALL EDITION WITH KAITLIN MILLER

Episode 19: From PE Class to Pro: A Journey through Pickleball History with Wes Gabrielsen ​ In this episode, pickleball Hall of Famer and MLP coach, Wes Gabrielsen, opens up about his introduction to the game, his transition from tennis to pickleball, and his impressive accomplishments on the court. From competing in the inaugural pro tournament to securing victories at nationals and the US Open, Wes provides a unique perspective on the evolution of pickleball as both a player and coach. ​​​

Episode 20: Sarah Lister's Remarkable Life Turn Thanks To An Unexpected Hero ​ Sarah Lister bravely shares her struggles with a dark period that seemed never-ending. But then, in 2019, she stumbled upon pickleball and everything changed. What started as a simple hobby quickly morphed into a passion that ignited Sarah's competitive spirit. Before she knew it, she was dominating tournaments and clinching a pro win. Pickleball wasn't just a game to Sarah—it became her lifeline, her motivation, and her reason to keep fighting. ​​​

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#7. RULES REFRESH Q&A - ON THE LINE

By Mark Peifer, USA Pickleball Certified Referee; Past Chairman, USA Pickleball Rules Committee

QUESTION: One of our regular league players has been arguing that if any part of the ball covers the line it should be called a live ball. Is he correct?

ANSWER: He's not far off from what the rulebook says. Rule 6.C.6 says the ball should be considered live ('in') as long as there isn't any space or color between the ball and the out-of-bounds line.

I realize this may challenge your thinking, but please think this way: Every ball your opponent(s) hit to you on your side of the net should be automatically judged by you as 'in' unless you are certain the ball is 'out'. Why certainty? Because anything else used as a criterion results in guessing or estimating where the ball's contact point is. If you can't see that contact point in relation to the line, then we must judge the ball as 'in' or live. If we don't do that, we are violating Rule 6.C.3. That is very close to what your colleague in league play is saying. 

What is an ‘out ball? It’s any ball that contacts the playing surface completely outside of the court. See Rule 6.B. 

But, how do we determine if a ball is ‘out’ if we can’t see the contact point? Say, for example, you are standing just behind the service line. You serve the ball and your opponent returns it. You have not moved forward and the ball lands at your feet. You can't see the back side of the ball so you have no idea where the ball contacts the court in relation to that back line. In that case, you must play the ball as 'in' because you can’t see the space called for in Rule 6.C.6 to make an 'out' call. But, your partner may be able to see the space and call it ‘out’, depending on where they are standing on the court. 

Here is the dirty little secret, however: Players who play by what 6.C.6 says will, from time to time, be playing an 'out' ball because they can't see the space. But those players have a well-deserved reputation for generous line calls - they are giving the opponents the benefit of the doubt. Those are the players you should want as opponents and partners. For some players, however, having to play it anyway is an absurdity; they can't stand the fact that they are playing a ball they are reasonably confident is out, but can't say for certain because they can't see that separation.

​SELKIRK - LUXX CONTROL AIR​

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#8. WHAT TO DO ON THE 4TH SHOT ON THE PICKLEBALL COURT

Are you looking to maintain the slight advantage as the receiving team in pickleball? Focus on your 4th shot strategy! By utilizing smart placement and teamwork, you can minimize the serving team's all-important 3rd shot. Check out our breakdown of strategies for success in doubles play. 🙌

#9. PICKLE4 ANNOUNCES EXPANDED PARTNERSHIP WITH YMCA OF THE USA

Pickle4 has partnered with YMCA of the USA to provide additional opportunities to participate in The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World™. The gold medal winners from the upcoming YMCA Mid-East Regional Pickleball Tournament will receive a special invitation to the 2025 US Open Pickleball Championships. 📨

#10. ON THE TOUR - DOUBLE DOUBLE WINNERS AT THE US OPEN PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 8th annual US Open Pickleball Championships concluded April 20 in Naples, FL. The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World™ featured the return of mother-daughter duo Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters. 🎉 Despite their dominance in the sport, they had never claimed a US Open title until this year. The pair earned the gold medal in women’s doubles. Anna Leigh earned the double double at the event with the gold medal in mixed doubles with partner JW Johnson. 🥇 Johnson also claimed a double double after securing the gold in men’s doubles with partner Dylan Frazier. The gold medals in singles went to Jack Foster in men’s singles and to Jorja Johnson in women’s singles. 👏

The PPA traveled to Los Angeles for the PPA LA Open. Two first-time winners, Connor Garnett and Brooke Buckner, claimed the gold medals in their respective singles brackets. 💪 In doubles, the gold medalists included Vivienne David and Thomas Wilson in mixed doubles, Ben and Collin Johns in men’s doubles, and Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher in women’s doubles.

For a full recap on these events, check out the following:

• ​U.S. Open Features thousands Of Amateurs And Doubles From Waters And Johnson​
• ​Two First Time Singles Winners At The Professional Pickleball Association LA Open​

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for more pro pickleball action in April and May! 📆

​UP YOUR GAME & HAVE A LAUGH!​​

Have a laugh and learn some great tips to take to the pickleball court with longtime humor writer Frank Cerabino's book ​I Dink, Therefore I Am: Coming to Grips with My Pickleball Addiction​! Plus, this book makes a great gift for your favorite player or partner! 📚

#11. HEADLINES FROM THE COURT

Check out the latest headlines to stay in the know on all things pickleball 📢

• One of the world’s most famous parks is serving up America’s fastest growing sport. 🍎 Starting May 1, pickleball is coming to Central Park’s Wollman Rink.
• Taylor Swift might be the queen of pop, but is she the queen of pickleball too?! 🎤 In a recent video, she showed off her skills on the court and even caused a frenzy with the stylish athletic skirt she was wearing.

​GRAB 10% OFF!​

Up your game by grabbing 10% off a new paddle, shoes, and more pickleball necessities from Fromuth Pickleball (some exclusions apply) with the code 10PICKLER! 💸

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