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Yeah, yeah, we know: Every day should be World Pickleball Day. But it’s not. Friday is. Which, if you ask us, is a pretty good reason to grab a few friends and hit the courts this week.

In This Issue:
— DUPR launches high school league
— Tyson’s tips for smarter defense
— AED saves young pickleballer’s life

We ❤️ pickleball.

We’ve all been schooled by a 70-year-old or two, but know this: The youth of America is out for pickleball glory, too. And DUPR wants to help — they just launched the first-ever National High School Pickleball League. Structured tournaments. Competitive play. And a National Championship coming this April.

What is it about pickleball that keeps us coming back for more, even those who have been playing for years — or decades? There’s some irresistible alchemy of competitiveness, social structure, and health benefits that help it feel fresh and exciting each and every time. That, and it’s just so darn fun.

It’s official: James Ignatowich’s buzzy new paddle brand, RPM, is officially UPA-A certified. That means as soon as this week’s PPA VA Beach, you could see some choice pros swinging the new tech. Here’s what all the hype is about.

Remember when we told you about NBA All-Star Luka Dončić using pickleball to get shredded in the off-season? Well, he’s not alone. Four-time NFL Pro Bowl defensive end Micah Parsons is all-in, too. "I'm playing like two, three times a week," he said. "It's great cardio playing singles. I'm addicted."

Tyson McGuffin may be known for his "Ferrari Forehand," but the longtime PPA pro is wise enough to recognize when to slow a point down to regain control.

Here, he walks us through a couple pointers for smarter defense at the kitchen line.

If you're engaged in a dink rally but find yourself getting moved around or frequently pushed out of position, you're not dictating the point... you're surviving it.

Rather than fight fire with fire, the sounder approach is to calm things down and get back to neutral footing. For this, Tyson recommends the lift dink.

How to hit a lift dink:

If you're outgunned in hands battles, it's a great time to lean heavily on a block volley.

Unlike a punch volley – quite literally a forehand or backhand jab at the ball in an effort to hit a winner – the block volley is strictly defensive in nature, often called upon when you're either too slow or not in position to hit a counter.

Remember: Playing it safe doesn't have to mean playing to lose.

➡️ Watch the full video.

Looks like the adidas AdiPower paddles made some noise in last week’s newsletter, and honestly, we get why. It’s a rare mix of top-tier performance and a price tag that still feels human at $189.

Built with TriFoam Edge Reinforcement, AdiPower paddles give you a rock-solid feel at contact. Less vibration, more consistency, and the confidence to hit your spots every time.

This is the version of adidas Pickleball we’ve been waiting for—refined, balanced, and ready for players who want a paddle that performs as hard as they do.

➡️ Check out the AdiPower paddle line.

In a raucous semifinal match at the PPA MB Vietnam Cup, underdogs Zane Navratil and Armaan Bhatia upset tournament favorites Ben Johns and Dekel Bar, 11-4, 8-11, 13-11.

It was a thrilling match, and no doubt helped set the stage for what would be World Record turnout during Finals day the following day, Saturday, Oct. 4.

It was also a win mired in controversy.

The game-winning point came off Dekel's return of Armaan's serve, which sailed long and landed perilously close to the baseline in front of Zane.

Zane called the ball out immediately. Ben and Dekel protested. But the on-court referees confirmed the call. And that was that. Game and match go to Zane and Armaan.

Since then, Zane has faced a mini firestorm of “hooking” accusations – meaning he intentionally called the ball out when he, a) wasn't sure, or b) thought it was actually in.

But a new camera angle has emerged that seems to exonerate him entirely. Based on this footage, the ball clearly lands out.

"In my defense, it's hard not to be upset when people are delegitimizing an incredible win and there's clear evidence out there," he said.

➡️ You be the judge — in or out?

PPA Virginia Beach is the first pro tournament since a bevy of young talent signed UPA contracts. And a few of the youngsters are jumping head-first into the Big Leagues.

Jade Rau, Cam Chaffin, Elsie Hendershot, and Ella Yeh are all in the mix. And… most have taken losses already.

But not without some highlight moments. Like Cam giving podium contender Chris Haworth a tough match in the round of 64, 5-11, 7-11.

Learning to lose is a valuable part of this experience, as Elsie’s dad told us: “Elsie realizes she will be experiencing more losses at the pro level and is ready to learn and work in between each opportunity she has to play against the best."

Elsie and Genie Erokhina face Jessie Irvine and Milan Rane today in a tough women’s doubles matchup.

➡️ For more on PPA VA Beach, including our full predictions, read this.

We’re less than two months away from The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship in Dallas, where $100,000 is on the line.

Teams across the country are locking in their dream tickets, and there’s still time to earn yours. The final stretch runs through our remaining State Championships and Regional Showdowns this fall.

And let’s just say… some major updates are coming for those events. You’ll want to keep an eye out.

➡️ Check out the updated schedule and see how you can qualify.

When Rory Bakke collapsed at the Miller Park pickleball courts in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, his girlfriend, Sunny Saengdara, didn't hesitate.

Saengdara is a nurse. After checking for a pulse, she began CPR and utilized the on-court automated external defibrillator, or AED, to restart Bakke's heart, which had been in cardiac arrest, according to CBS News Minnesota.

"Rory would not be alive if it wasn't for that," said Saengdara.

Amazingly, the AED had been installed less than two weeks before the incident.

"It actually brings tears to my eyes," said Paul Mendoza, whose company, Advanced First Aid, installed the machine after it was requested by Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation in the spring.

"Having an AED shock right away is a game-changer because that's the treatment, the only treatment that can save someone's life," he added.

Mendoza said Bakke is the fourth person this year alone saved on a pickleball court by one of his company's AEDs.

➡️ Read the full story.

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