Somebody posted on Pickleball Forum searching for “best songs for a pickleball playlist.”

The absolute best comment? Let It Go. There: that’s an Up Your Game segment on its own.

Honorable mentions include: I Can’t Go for That, All I Do is Win, and She Bangs.

For some music custom-tailored by the pros, check out this Anna Leigh Waters x Ben Johns game day playlist.

Shoutout to Lucy and her husband who, apparently, are big fans. Nice meeting you on the plane from MLP! - Kim @ The Dink.

In This Issue:

• A tip that converts from tennis

• MLP Super Final action, summarized

• Plan your next vacation around pickleball

• APP’s record break

Let’s get to it.

Stealing from Tennis

Tennis is a gateway drug…to pickle. All the skills players learn on the big court come in handy when they reach the big leagues of pickleball.

One of the highest ranking converts is former #29 WTA-ranked player, and current pb pro, Tina Pisnik.

One of Pisnik's lessons caught our eye as a potential crossover to pickleball. This forehand drill looks awfully similar to an NVZ forehand roll.

1. A long backswing is a bad habit that is carried over from tennis. The drill is crucial for pickleball because it stresses a short backswing.
   
   Some pros recommend that your paddle and elbow stay out in front when at the kitchen. Using the net like this helps enforce that boundary and prevents a big wind-up.

   
   

2. It also helps players generate power and topspin with two feet planted like you would at the NVZ.
   
   On a baseline groundstroke, you would step into your shot and create power with your legs. On roll volleys, that’s not possible. There is nowhere to step.

It’s a little awkward but will help build muscle memory for your forehand roll. Sacrifice looking silly in practice to earn more dubs on the court.

PCKL Elite 40 Deal is Back!

We received a great response from the Elite 40 deal last month, so PCKL decided to bring it back!

Players have consistently said the balls are easy to track, withstand hard-hitting games, and provide excellent feel that results in predictable flight with solid spin response. One reader even told us this is the "most awesomest ball" they've ever played with.

Now, as an exclusive for Dink readers, you can save 40% when you grab 48 balls and use code DINK15 checkout.

Super Final, Super Surprises

The back-to-back champ, heavily favored Seattle Pioneers rolled into Monday night’s Super Final looking infallible. Most of the pickleball world pegged them as the clear-cut favorite for the Season 1 title.

Their opponents, the LA Mad Drops, were Champions back in Mesa but were booted from the last two events in the semi and quarterfinals. Most believed their only chance was to split the doubles games and hope for a Dreambreaker.

Against all predictions, the Mad Drops charged into the Super Final with no signs of being the underdog.

Catherine Parenteau and Irina Tereschenko demolished the Pioneers in women's doubles 21-6.

Ben Johns and Tyler Loong were expected to bounce back and even the score in men's doubles. But Julian Arnold and Thomas Wilson kept the game close and found a few perfect drives in crunch time to steal the win 21-19.

With their backs against the wall, the Pioneers sent out Johns and Etta Wright to try to stay alive in the match. Send out the GOAT to secure an easy win anc create some momentum, right? Wrong. Catherine Parenteau and Julian Arnold gave the Pioneers nothing to work with and played a nearly perfect game.

They closed the game and ended the Pioneers’ run with a 21-17 victory. It was a clean 3-0 sweep for the underdogs. The LA Mad Drops are season one Champions and left San Clemente with a team prize of $240k.

Earlier in the day, the Challenger Level Chicago Slice completed an upset of their own. The Slice found themselves seemingly outmatched against the singles prowess of the Bay Area Breakers in a Dreambreaker.

Down 17-15, Connor Garnett and Ryler DeHeart rattled off 7 straight points to win the title for the Slice 21-17.

Following this event, the rosters are erased and the teams will swap from Premier to the Challenger Level. All teams will draft new rosters in July ahead of season two in the second half of this year.

Your Next Pickleball Vacation, Sorted

Few large media entities have taken advantage of pickleball’s growth like The Washington Post.

There was that awful opinion piece earlier this year (we dissected it here). And who could forget that time they tried to say pickleball isn’t good exercise?

A new, more productive story (link, paywall) takes a look at the emerging pickleball tourism industry, outlining some of the ways players can merge travel with play time.

We’ve added a couple destinations to their list:

• Margaritaville: The resort is planning to add courts to all of their properties.

• Holland America: The cruise line currently has at least one court on every ship in its fleet (they aren’t the only line to prioritize pickleball though, learn more here).

• Doubletree Hilton, Sonoma, CA: Oenophiles (yes, we googled the word for ‘wine lover’) can get ‘pickle & pinot’ at this property.

• West Hollywood, CA: For more of a glamorous, disco-themed pickleball experience in Cali, then the Kimpton La Peer hotel is for you. For a $150/90-minute session, you get complimentary lunch and drinks, plus no fees on weekdays.

• Cancun, Mexico: Destination Pickleball hand-picked the best resorts in the area and arranged for dedicated courts to be installed.

• Cuba: A unique blend of humanitarian work and pickleball appreciation allows Americans the rare opportunity to soak in Cuban culture.

Of course, you can always find a less-expensive place to stay by scoping out some Airbnbs with pickleball courts. But the above destinations definitely stand as contenders for my next vacation.

Pickleball Clothes: Elevated

AVI is elevating pickleball by creating exceptional athletic wear.

They believe everyone — from professional athletes to casual enthusiasts — deserves well-constructed, expertly designed clothing made just for their sport.

With pockets created specifically to hold pickleballs, comfortable fabrics, and ultra-lightweight feel, AVI is elevated performance wear for both on AND off the court!

APP’s Record

Next week’s APP Newport Beach Open will be a record-breaker.

Over 1,400 registrants, including 1,100 amateurs, signifies that this will be the largest event in APP history.

The event will be held June 28-July 3 at the Tennis and Pickleball Club in Newport Beach.

Click here to learn more about the event & how to buy tickets.

Headlines & Quick Hits

• Stay in the game with The Official Sock of Pickleball

• Pickleball courts on track to open near new Penn Station

• ICYMI: Playing at the NVZ line is like baseball

Highlights

• Mid-court Meghan, reset Wright

• It’s not delaminated I swear 😅

• NO WAY😳

• Mad Drops with the W 💪🏼

A review from the Dink Fam...

Somebody posted on Pickleball Forum searching for “best songs for a pickleball playlist.”

The absolute best comment? Let It Go. There: that’s an Up Your Game segment on its own.

Honorable mentions include: I Can’t Go for That, All I Do is Win, and She Bangs.

For some music custom-tailored by the pros, check out this Anna Leigh Waters x Ben Johns game day playlist.

Shoutout to Lucy and her husband who, apparently, are big fans. Nice meeting you on the plane from MLP! - Kim @ The Dink.

In This Issue:

• A tip that converts from tennis

• MLP Super Final action, summarized

• Plan your next vacation around pickleball

• APP’s record break

Let’s get to it.

Stealing from Tennis

Tennis is a gateway drug…to pickle. All the skills players learn on the big court come in handy when they reach the big leagues of pickleball.

One of the highest ranking converts is former #29 WTA-ranked player, and current pb pro, Tina Pisnik.

One of Pisnik's lessons caught our eye as a potential crossover to pickleball. This forehand drill looks awfully similar to an NVZ forehand roll.

1. A long backswing is a bad habit that is carried over from tennis. The drill is crucial for pickleball because it stresses a short backswing.
   
   Some pros recommend that your paddle and elbow stay out in front when at the kitchen. Using the net like this helps enforce that boundary and prevents a big wind-up.

   
   

2. It also helps players generate power and topspin with two feet planted like you would at the NVZ.
   
   On a baseline groundstroke, you would step into your shot and create power with your legs. On roll volleys, that’s not possible. There is nowhere to step.

It’s a little awkward but will help build muscle memory for your forehand roll. Sacrifice looking silly in practice to earn more dubs on the court.

PCKL Elite 40 Deal is Back!

We received a great response from the Elite 40 deal last month, so PCKL decided to bring it back!

Players have consistently said the balls are easy to track, withstand hard-hitting games, and provide excellent feel that results in predictable flight with solid spin response. One reader even told us this is the "most awesomest ball" they've ever played with.

Now, as an exclusive for Dink readers, you can save 40% when you grab 48 balls and use code DINK15 checkout.

Super Final, Super Surprises

The back-to-back champ, heavily favored Seattle Pioneers rolled into Monday night’s Super Final looking infallible. Most of the pickleball world pegged them as the clear-cut favorite for the Season 1 title.

Their opponents, the LA Mad Drops, were Champions back in Mesa but were booted from the last two events in the semi and quarterfinals. Most believed their only chance was to split the doubles games and hope for a Dreambreaker.

Against all predictions, the Mad Drops charged into the Super Final with no signs of being the underdog.

Catherine Parenteau and Irina Tereschenko demolished the Pioneers in women's doubles 21-6.

Ben Johns and Tyler Loong were expected to bounce back and even the score in men's doubles. But Julian Arnold and Thomas Wilson kept the game close and found a few perfect drives in crunch time to steal the win 21-19.

With their backs against the wall, the Pioneers sent out Johns and Etta Wright to try to stay alive in the match. Send out the GOAT to secure an easy win anc create some momentum, right? Wrong. Catherine Parenteau and Julian Arnold gave the Pioneers nothing to work with and played a nearly perfect game.

They closed the game and ended the Pioneers’ run with a 21-17 victory. It was a clean 3-0 sweep for the underdogs. The LA Mad Drops are season one Champions and left San Clemente with a team prize of $240k.

Earlier in the day, the Challenger Level Chicago Slice completed an upset of their own. The Slice found themselves seemingly outmatched against the singles prowess of the Bay Area Breakers in a Dreambreaker.

Down 17-15, Connor Garnett and Ryler DeHeart rattled off 7 straight points to win the title for the Slice 21-17.

Following this event, the rosters are erased and the teams will swap from Premier to the Challenger Level. All teams will draft new rosters in July ahead of season two in the second half of this year.

Your Next Pickleball Vacation, Sorted

Few large media entities have taken advantage of pickleball’s growth like The Washington Post.

There was that awful opinion piece earlier this year (we dissected it here). And who could forget that time they tried to say pickleball isn’t good exercise?

A new, more productive story (link, paywall) takes a look at the emerging pickleball tourism industry, outlining some of the ways players can merge travel with play time.

We’ve added a couple destinations to their list:

• Margaritaville: The resort is planning to add courts to all of their properties.

• Holland America: The cruise line currently has at least one court on every ship in its fleet (they aren’t the only line to prioritize pickleball though, learn more here).

• Doubletree Hilton, Sonoma, CA: Oenophiles (yes, we googled the word for ‘wine lover’) can get ‘pickle & pinot’ at this property.

• West Hollywood, CA: For more of a glamorous, disco-themed pickleball experience in Cali, then the Kimpton La Peer hotel is for you. For a $150/90-minute session, you get complimentary lunch and drinks, plus no fees on weekdays.

• Cancun, Mexico: Destination Pickleball hand-picked the best resorts in the area and arranged for dedicated courts to be installed.

• Cuba: A unique blend of humanitarian work and pickleball appreciation allows Americans the rare opportunity to soak in Cuban culture.

Of course, you can always find a less-expensive place to stay by scoping out some Airbnbs with pickleball courts. But the above destinations definitely stand as contenders for my next vacation.

Pickleball Clothes: Elevated

AVI is elevating pickleball by creating exceptional athletic wear.

They believe everyone — from professional athletes to casual enthusiasts — deserves well-constructed, expertly designed clothing made just for their sport.

With pockets created specifically to hold pickleballs, comfortable fabrics, and ultra-lightweight feel, AVI is elevated performance wear for both on AND off the court!

APP’s Record

Next week’s APP Newport Beach Open will be a record-breaker.

Over 1,400 registrants, including 1,100 amateurs, signifies that this will be the largest event in APP history.

The event will be held June 28-July 3 at the Tennis and Pickleball Club in Newport Beach.

Click here to learn more about the event & how to buy tickets.

Headlines & Quick Hits

• Stay in the game with The Official Sock of Pickleball

• Pickleball courts on track to open near new Penn Station

• ICYMI: Playing at the NVZ line is like baseball

Highlights

• Mid-court Meghan, reset Wright

• It’s not delaminated I swear 😅

• NO WAY😳

• Mad Drops with the W 💪🏼

A review from the Dink Fam...