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The Big Game is nearly here and if pro pickleball is any indicator, it’s a bad week to be the favorite. The No. 1 seed on both the APP Tour and PPA Tour took a loss in singles play yesterday.

The Chiefs are technically the favorite on Sunday but some footage of Eagles kicker Jake Elliott playing pickleball has us confident he could split the uprights with the game on the line. Watch it below.

In This Issue:

🔪 Divide the court into three zones
⏱️ Timing is everything on surprising Fed loss
1️⃣ Coming for the No. 1 spot

Let’s do this.

Our Picks ☝️

🏈 Crossover Athlete: Eagles Kicker Jake Elliott Can Ball

Jake Elliott will have the Eagles Super Bowl resting on his foot Sunday. But he’s shown he can handle pressure. Check out this behind-the-back shot from a pickleball fundraiser last summer. Watch the highlights here or the full experience here.

🐦 Tweet: What’s Your Definition of a Pro?

Find out what the pros are saying here.

🐨 Australia: Zane Takes PicklePod on the Road

While in Melbourne, Zane recorded the first PicklePod from the Southern Hemisphere. Tune in Monday to hear Zane talk to the leaders of the Australian pickleball movement and check in with PPA Tour CEO Connor Pardoe.

Three Zones of Attack

“One of the biggest mistakes I see amateur players make, especially those lower in rating, is poor decision-making from the baseline.” Pro player Eric Roddy

As a pro player, Eric Roddy divides the pickleball court into three separate zones based on his likelihood of attack. In Zone 1 he has the green light to pull the trigger, but in Zone 3 he knows that an attack is a low percentage play.

Zone 3
From the baseline, your entire goal should be to move forward and reach the kitchen. The kitchen is the only area on the court where you can consistently have opportunities to attack your opponents and play offense.

Zone 2
From a tactical standpoint, the midcourt is the yellow light on a stoplight. This means you have to make a decision based on your opponents’ shot to you. Should you attack the ball (run through the yellow light), or drop the ball (hit your brakes and wait for your next opportunity)?

“Let me make this easy for you – when in doubt, always hit a reset and drop the ball from the midcourt.”

Zone 1
The kitchen line is your greenlight zone, where offensive pickleball truly comes into play. The main strategy when reaching the kitchen line is to move your opponents around with accurately placed dinks. Eventually, they’ll surrender a ball you can attack, at which point you will want to hit down at their feet.

At any level, better decision-making skills will lead to more wins. Read more about what goes into a pro’s decision-making here.

Finally, a Pickleball That Gives Back

Tired of seeing pickleballs pile up in landfills? We were too.

Turns out, our beloved pickleball hobby has a dirty little secret: those little yellow balls aren't exactly eco-friendly.

Enter the Komodo BioBall™ – a game-changer for the planet (and your wallet). These bad boys play like the pro tournament balls you know and love, but they are biodegradable and break down 20x faster.

No more landfill nightmares. Plus, they last 5x longer than your average ball, so you're actually saving money.

Check out the BioBall and see for yourself. Your conscience (and your wallet) will thank you.

No.1 Seed Takes Unprecedented Loss

For the past year, Federico Staksrud has been a lock to reach the men’s singles semifinals. Yesterday in Tucson, he suffered his first early-round loss since November 2023. So what changed?

Timing is Everything
The timing of the loss couldn’t have come at a more interesting moment. The loss came to Australia’s top representative, Tom Evans, right after the first Australian Open. Congrats on the win Tom.

But that’s not what we’re talking about.

This loss came in Fed’s first tournament using an Adidas paddle after making the switch from JOOLA. Any player will tell you that it takes time to adjust to a new paddle, but the timing on this one couldn’t be more ironic.

Who Will Play for Gold
Our guy Erik Tice predicted a Fed loss, but had him losing to Christian Alshon. Alshon avoided Fed and found his way into finals with a win over Jack Sock. Alshon’s opponent is Hunter Johnson who some are predicting to challenge Fed for the No. 1 spot.

Christian Chasing Number Three
Kaitlyn Christian is getting comfortable at the top of the PPA podium. She will play for her third title of the 2025 season on Sunday. Christian will face Parris Todd who finished Wednesday night with a slugfest win against Brooke Buckner.

Mixed doubles matches begin at 1 pm ET on Pickleball TV. Find out who Tice picked to face Ben and Anna Leigh in the finals here.

Sewing Coming for the Crown

Down in Daytona, a No.1 seed and marquee player on the APP Tour also came up short of the finals. Megan Fudge suffered a semifinal upset at the hands of Sofia Sewing.

Sewing is Here to Stay
Sofia Sewing is a name to watch in women’s singles this year. She caught the eye of pickleball fans after a finals run in Fort Lauderdale. Yesterday she upset the No.1 seed in two games to reach the finals again.

Sewing will face Poland native Daria Walczak who had impressive wins over Judit Castillo and Amanda Hendry earlier in the day.

Howells or Haworth
It’s Will Howells’ turn to take on the champ. Howells will attempt to dethrone Chris Haworth who has put together a dominant winning streak in recent months.

Coverage for the event starts tomorrow at 10 am ET on APPTV. Find a full preview of the event here.

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Your Opponents Are Already Sweating

You've been waiting for this. Nike dipped its toes into pickleball, and boy, did they deliver.

Forget those boring uniforms – Nike brought the style. Think sharp shorts, polos, skirts that move with you. And don't even get us started on the accessories. That pickleball bucket hat? Chef's kiss.

But it's not just about looking good (though, seriously, you will). Nike gear gives you that extra edge. You know, the feeling of invincibility.

So, ditch the drab and step onto the court in style. Nike's got you covered.

The Psychology Behind Partnerships

Turns out, your pickleball skills might say a lot about your relationships. A Psychology Today article breaks down how the game’s strategy aligns with the keys to a strong partnership—think teamwork, communication, and knowing when to stay in your lane.

According to Dr. Paul Dobransky, pickleball mirrors relationship dynamics from Social Exchange Theory and the Gottman Method (basically, the science behind why some couples thrive and others implode).

Court positioning? That’s like understanding roles in a relationship. Shot selection? Similar to picking your battles in life. The best players—and the happiest couples—know when to attack, when to reset, and how to back each other up.

So next time you step on the court, remember: your dinks, drives, and drops aren’t just about winning points—they might just be training you for life off the court, too.

Headlines & Quick Hits

• One Player’s Old Paddle Is Another’s New Favorite

• Fresh Off The LABS Bench & Ready to Play

• Something is Missing from this “Best Pickleball Amazon Shopping Guide”

• Pickleball Lawsuits: Every Time You Pick Up a Paddle, You Might Be Stepping Into a Legal Minefield

Highlights

•  📐 This angle is impossible

• 🤐 Sewing seals it

Missed a recent issue? We've got you covered

• Earn your poaching license

• The paddle too hot for public release

• Have you tried this shot?

A review from the Dink Fam...

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