Happy Wednesday! 🎉

🚨 Today is the last day to register for the lottery for the US Open Pickleball Championships. Don't miss your chance to play at the biggest pickleball party in the world! Make sure that both you and your partner have registered! Keep reading for links and more information on the Minto US Open Sweepstakes.👇

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

#1. KITCHEN TALK: PICKLEBALL EDITION - THE VISIONARIES BEHIND THE BIGGEST PICKLEBALL PARTY IN THE WORLD™

Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition with Kaitlin Miller

Terri Graham and Chris Evon sat down with Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition host, Kaitlin Miller, to discuss the remarkable growth of The US Open Pickleball Championships. 🎉 The visionaries behind the iconic pickleball event in Naples, Florida reflect on the humble beginnings of The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World and plans for it expand. 💪

#2. MURMURS FROM THE LOSERS' BRACKET: CONFESSIONS OF A PADDLE ADDICT

It's that time of year when people make new resolutions and evaluate their old ones. When new paddles are advertised promising a transformative experience, it feels impossible to keep a resolution to curtail the need to buy more paddles. Maybe there really is a magic paddle out there that will fix drives, make dinks drop perfectly, and turn mediocrity into magic? 🪄

Featured Pickleball Tournaments from Pickleball Den​

​4th Annual Pickleball For Sea Turtles Tournament​ Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to register now to play in beautiful downtown Port St. Joe, Florida overlooking Saint Joseph Bay. The event takes place March 14th-17th, 2024. Proceeds benefit the Florida Coastal Conservancy in Gulf County. ​ REGISTER NOW

​2024 BODYARMOR State Games Winter Tournament​ Registration opens January 29, 2024! Get your paddles ready for the The BODYARMOR State Games! The three-day pickleball tournament takes place March 14-17, 2024 in North Carolina. The event features women's, men's and mixed doubles, and newly added in 2024, men's and women's singles. ​ LEARN MORE

QUOTES FROM RECENT TOURNAMENTS

#3. BEST PLACES TO HIT YOUR THIRD SHOT ON THE PICKLEBALL COURT

The third shot is considered the most important shot on the pickleball court, as it is imperative to help you and your partner to move from the baseline to the Kitchen line as the serving team. One of the best ways to maximize your third shot is to focus on placement. With that said, where are the best places to hit your third shot on the pickleball court? 🤔

​ENTER THE MINTO US OPEN SWEEPSTAKES​

​Enter the Minto US Open Sweepstakes for your chance to win one of three grand prizes or weekly instant win prizes. 🙌

Today is the last day to register for the lottery for the US Open Pickleball Championships. Make sure that both you and your partner have registered!

The countdown is on for the ​2024 US Open Pickleball Championships!​ 🗓️ Be sure to mark your calendar for The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World™ April 13th-April 20th, 2024 in beautiful Naples, Florida! 🥳

#4. KYLE YATES UNVEILS THE EVOLUTION, PASSION, AND PRESSURE OF BEING WORLD NO. 1

Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition with Kaitlin Miller

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Kyle Yates, former No.1 pickleball player in the world ☝️ and the first contracted professional player, shares how his uncle got him into pickleball before most people knew it existed. Yates opens up about the pressure of being No. 1 in the world, dropping out of college, and the sacrifices he made to pursue a road less traveled.

🎧 Watch now on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

#5. 7 TIPS TO WIN AS A TEAM AT THE NON-VOLLEY ZONE LINE

Most points are won at the Non-Volley Zone line. It is important to get to the Non-Volley Zone line and then hold that line. But, how do you do that? How do you work with your partner in doubles pickleball to win at the Non-Volley Zone line? Try these 7 tips to win more points with your partner at the Kitchen line! 👏

#6. IS THIS THE ANSWER TO THE DEMAND FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS?

With the growing demand for courts, venues ready for a change have found a match made in heaven. 💕 Empty or declining spaces looking to keep up with expenses and gain attention are capitalizing on the pickleball craze. Check out some of the interesting spaces undergoing a pickleball transformation...​

​SELKIRK SLK HALO​

In a sea of black paddles, stand out on the court with the new pink or lime green SLK Halo. 🩷💚 The SLK Halo is an exceptional choice for players ranging from beginners to professionals who prioritize exceptional spin and control on the court. Choose the Max shape for the largest sweet spot for balanced players, or the XL shape for an elongated handle and increased spin for power players. 💪

#7. RULES REFRESH Q&A

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

QUESTION: Is the Prodrive breast cancer white with pink logo paddle approved for amateur tournament play due to white with pink?

ANSWER: Every paddle that is approved for amateur (and pro) play is on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list. ✅ The approved paddle list shows five approved Prodrive paddles, all with different model names.

If the Prodrive paddle in question has any of those model names on the paddle, then the paddle is approved. The key 🔑 here is that to be approved, a paddle must match exactly the manufacturer’s brand/name and model name (or model number). The rule in the Rulebook that provides this is Rule 2.E.7.

There is, however, another consideration in determining whether or not even a USA Pickleball-approved paddle can be used in any particular tournament. If a Tournament Director determines that a paddle is too reflective, 🪩 then the Tournament Director can require a paddle change. This can happen with some paddles that are predominantly white or light colored when playing in bright sun. ☀️ The rule that governs this situation is Rule 2.E.2.a. This rule, however, cannot be enforced in non-tournament play.

#8. WHEN AND WHERE TO SPEED UP THE PICKLEBALL TO WIN MORE GAMES

We all like to hit the ball hard and speed it up at our opponents. 💨 But, pickleball is all about patience and shot selection. So, deciding when and where to speed up the pickleball (compared to staying in a dink rally) is an important skill to have on the court. Learn tips and strategies on when and where you should speed up the pickleball to win more games. 🏆

​​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! 📚

#9. HEADLINES FROM THE COURT

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

• 🎬ACTION! The first full-length feature film dedicated to pickleball is in pre-production. “In a Pickle” promises to showcase the rivalry between tennis and pickleball with laughs, love, and pickleball puns.

• Show me the money! 💰Pickleball franchise opportunities are on the rise. Check out some of the investment opportunities that could be worth your time and money.
• Congratulations to The Utah Tech University pickleball team! They were crowned the champions of the APP US Collegiate Championships. 🏆

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• 📣The PPA Tour recently announced the new official pickleball of the tour. The Vulcan VPRO Flight debuted at the PPA Masters in Palm Springs.
• One pickleball community in Florida is banding together in the face of tragedy. Over 100 players worked together to raise money to purchase life-saving AED machines. 🫶
• Genie Bouchard made her professional pickleball debut at the PPA Masters alongside fellow tennis pros Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, and Donald Young. Is pickleball experiencing a tennis takeover? 🎾

#10. ON THE TOUR - NEW YEAR, NEW PLAYERS, NEW RULES

The PPA Tour kicked off its 2024 season with The PPA Masters January 9-14 in sunny Palm Springs, California. 🌴 Players at this event contended with three new serving rules and the “Progression Draw” competition format. While the winner’s podium saw familiar faces including Anna Leigh Waters with her 23rd Triple Crown overall, men’s singles experienced a shakeup with Quang Dong defeating Ben Johns, Dylan Frazier earning his first gold 🥇and former tennis pro Jack Sock earning his first bronze.🥉 Leigh Waters made her return to pickleball return after recovering from a torn ACL, playing with Christian Alshon in mixed doubles. The PPA Tour also welcomed pickleball newcomer and tennis star Genie Bouchard.

For a full recap on this event, check out the following:

• ​A Triple Crown For Waters And A Bronze Debut For Sock At The Pro Pickleball Association Masters​

Don't forget to mark your calendars for more pro pickleball action in January! 📆

​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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