PPA Tour Asia went out with a bang. Five championship matches, a couple of major upsets, and another pair of gold medals for Anna Leigh Waters. The inaugural Hong Kong Slam had a little bit of everything, including a 15-year-old phenom pushing Hunter Johnson to three games and a familiar men's doubles powerhouse getting knocked off its perch.
Not a bad way to put a bow on the season.
In This Issue:
— Why your backhand flick has no power
— 5 things great pickleball clubs get right
— Does pro pickleball need a villain?
Let's make some noise.
Our Picks 👆
🔥 Best Dressed: Hong Kong Brought the Heat
The competition was fierce at the Hong Kong Slam. So was the fashion. From Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson's coordinated fits to Dylan Frazier's ocean-inspired jersey, here's who brought their A-game to the style department. See our favorite looks.
🚨 Big Move: Kyle Koszuta Signs New Deal
One of pickleball's biggest content creators is officially joining the big leagues. Kyle Koszuta, better known as ThatPickleballGuy, has signed an exclusive deal with the PPA Tour and MLP. After years of success on the APP Tour, he’s taking the next big step. Get the scoop.
🌎 Going Global: MLP Nations Cup Is Here
Eight teams. 48 pros. One international title up for grabs. The inaugural MLP Nations Cup kicks off Friday in Dallas, with Ben Johns, Anna Bright, and a stacked Team USA taking on the world. Here's everything you need to know. Full preview.
✅ Grit That Lasts: 9 Paddles Built for Spin
Your brand-new paddle might spin like crazy. But will it still have that bite six months from now? Durable grit is pickleball's latest arms race, and these nine paddles are leading the charge, with prices starting around $110. See which ones made the cut.
Why Your Flick Has No Power
If your backhand flick keeps floating long, dying into the net, or looking suspiciously like a dink, your wrist probably isn't the problem. Your body position is.
Pro Connor Garnett learned that firsthand in a lesson with Mari Humberg, who helped him turn a weak, reachy flick into a legitimate kitchen weapon.
Here are five fixes to steal for your next session:
Forget the perfect grip. Anything between Continental and Eastern works. Get comfortable and move on.
Lean in, don't reach. Bring your chest forward over the kitchen line instead of extending your paddle while your weight stays back.
Load your front foot. Shift your weight onto your non-dominant leg and stay on your toes. More balance means more reach and control.
Accelerate, don't muscle it. Stop swinging harder with your shoulder. Focus on whipping the paddle through contact with a quick wrist.
Disguise your destination. Practice hitting down the line, middle, and at a short angle with the same motion. Let your follow-through determine the target.
One more thing: Not every dink deserves a flick. If the ball is below net height, prioritize placement over power. When it sits up, that's your green light to attack.
➡️ Get all five fixes and start putting some bite on that backhand.
A Paddle That Keeps Its Bite
Most paddles lose their grip long before they lose their looks. By the time you notice the spin fading, you’re already shopping for a replacement.
11SIX24’s Ultré Power 2 is built to break that cycle.
Its HexGrit surface holds onto the ball well past the point where conventional textures go slick, so the spin you feel in week one is still there months later.
Underneath, a Gen 4 floating foam core delivers real pop when you swing big, then softens up for touch and control at the kitchen.
Shop the Ultré Power 2 (and don’t forget to use code THEDINK for $10 off at checkout).
Hong Kong Slam: Five Champions, One Big Finale
The PPA Tour Asia saved its biggest event for last. The inaugural Hong Kong Slam brought the world's best to Kai Tak Arena, and Championship Sunday delivered upsets, repeat winners, and a whole lot of hardware.
With familiar faces chasing gold and rising stars looking to make a statement, there was no shortage of drama.
Here's how all five finals shook out:
Men's Singles: Hunter Johnson went back-to-back, outlasting 15-year-old Tama Shimabukuro: 11-4, 6-11, 11-7.
Women's Singles: Andie Dikosavljevic also made it two straight, steamrolling Judit Castillo: 11-1, 11-5.
Men's Doubles: Hayden Patriquin and Federico Staksrud stunned top seeds Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio: 11-6, 11-8.
Women's Doubles: Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright cruised past Tyra Hurricane Black and Jorja Johnson: 11-4, 11-6.
Mixed Doubles: Waters completed her double-gold day alongside Ben Johns, defeating Bright and Patriquin: 11-4, 11-3.
The biggest takeaway? Waters remains a winning machine, Johnson and Dikosavljevic are red-hot, and the reunited Patriquin-Staksrud partnership is looking downright dangerous. And with 15-year-old Shimabukuro making serious noise, the next generation isn't waiting around for an invitation.
Not a bad way to cap off PPA Asia's 2026 season.
5 Things the Best Pickleball Clubs Get Right
Turns out, slapping some nets inside an empty warehouse isn't exactly a recipe for pickleball greatness. Who knew?
Kaitlyn Kerr has visited more than 75 pickleball facilities across 19 states and seven countries and territories. From a converted Macy's store to swanky urban country clubs, she's seen it all.
And the best clubs consistently nail five things:
Player-first design: Spacious courts, high ceilings, and lighting that doesn't blind you mid-overhead.
Noise control: Because 12 courts of nonstop popping shouldn't require earplugs.
Off-court appeal: Good food, comfy lounges, and reasons to stick around after your last game.
Smart tech: Instant replays, digital scoring, and tools that actually improve your game.
Real community: Staff who know your name and make you feel like you belong.
The kicker? Fancy facilities might get players through the door. It's the people who keep them coming back.
Americans over 55 are ditching hearing aids for this new device.
People who try Horizon IX by hear.com tend to say the same thing after: I waited too long.
Meet the nearly invisible innovation packed with two AI chips that separate speech from noise in real time. The result? Warm, natural sound anywhere life gets loud. No choosing between hearing the room and hearing the person.
Nearly invisible, rechargeable, smartphone-compatible, it's the device over 670K+ people switched to for unmatched clarity
Experience the tech for yourself with a 45-day no-risk trial.
Does Pro Pickleball Need a Villain?
Screaming, trash talk, excessive celebrations. Bad sportsmanship or great entertainment?
On a recent PicklePod, Zane Navratil and Nico the Lefty tackled the growing debate over on-court antics and whether pickleball should be policing its biggest personalities.
Zane's take? Pro pickleball needs eyeballs, and controversy gets people watching. He even pointed to his own infamous MLP Dallas meltdown as proof. Not his proudest moment, but undeniably entertaining.
Nico agreed. Taunting opponents might cross a line, but being loud and obnoxious shouldn't automatically earn a penalty.
The bottom line: Pickleball is still fighting for mainstream attention. Maybe a few villains aren't such a bad thing.
Headlines & Quick Hits
What Happens When One Pro Gives Another a Lesson?
Get Back on Your Feet After a Pickleball Ankle Injury
Is Pickleball Alone Enough to Stay Fit?
Highlights
Do not copy Hunter’s warm-up
Ben + ALW: masterful movers
Beware of friendly fire
Missed a recent issue? We've got you covered
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