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Two of the largest global pickleball groups, the World Pickleball Federation and the International Pickleball Federation, joined forces over the weekend. This won’t change your life overnight, but it could have major Olympic implications down the line, potentially as soon as 2028. Do we have your attention now?

Good. Now let’s talk about how else you keep your heart rate up. Specifically…

In This Issue:
— Predictions: The PPA Orange County Cup
— 5 pickleball strategy myths, busted
— Is Boca Raton pickleball’s new mecca?

Rise and grind.

It’s Waivers week in Major League Pickleball. Will untested Grayson Goldin head to his hometown Orlando Squeeze? Could 15-year-old Cailyn Campbell join her brother Cason on the Florida Smash? Will anyone pursue Collin Johns? Mirror, mirror, on the wall…

When Brody suffered a serious injury late last year, his love for pickleball never dwindled. His favorite player, Gabe Tardio, heard his story and took a few minutes recently to send some well-wishes to the young fan. We’re not crying, you are.

A photo depicting a “Tabletop Pickleball” game is popping off on Reddit, mostly because … HUH? How exactly does the included kitchen line work when your playing surface is on a tabletop? Make it stop.

In case you missed it, pickleball’s newest king-slayer, Alex Crum, moonlights as a rapper by the name of AC Baby. Tonight, he debuts a new single named “Anna Bright” — including a music video shot among the animals at the Louisville Zoo.

Pickleball strategy is like the weather in New England: Not a fan? Just wait five minutes.

Strategy fundamentals that were gospel when you first started probably aren’t as relevant anymore. Some, believe it or not, are totally outdated. Allow us to catch you up to speed with the help of pro Tanner Tomassi.

1️⃣ Myth #1 — Move as one. Standard convention says you move from the baseline to the kitchen as if you’re attached to your partner with a short string. He moves, you move. Modern pickleball demands different. When your partner is hitting a third, take two steps in and watch the ball’s flight. If it’s a good drop, crash the net and apply pressure wherever possible, giving your bestie time to join you.

2️⃣ Myth #2 — Forehand covers middle. The game simply moves too fast for this to apply anymore. Instead, here’s Tanner’s truth-bomb: When the ball is diagonal to you, you cover middle. This allows your partner to shade toward the line and limits all confusion about who’s got what. Easy peasy.

3️⃣ Myth #3 — Heavy drives win points. Gone are the days when you can blast a drive through your opponent’s paddle for an easy point. Instead, take 25% off and focus on heavy topspin that drops low over the net. This way, the next shot has to be hit up to clear the net rather than down. Advantage you.

4️⃣ Myth #4 — Always target the weaker opponent. If one opponent is significantly weaker than the other, it can be tempting to hit nearly every shot their way. Don’t fall into this trap. This allows the stronger player to cheat way over while the weaker one barely has to move. Instead, keep the better player honest by hitting lots of balls his way. Now, attack the weaker side when the moment strikes.

5️⃣ Myth #5 — Lose in the right way. You improve most by putting what you’re practicing into action in pressure situations. So sign up for an event, then pick a new skill and ride it all the way through. If you lose, you lose. But that skill will get way better, way faster, guaranteed.

What other “rules” are no longer relevant? Leave a review and let us know 👇

Hot court. Sweaty hands. Zero bounce left in your legs. Time to get salty in the right way.

LMNT just dropped Lemonade Salt, and yeah... it might be your new summer squeeze. It tastes like the lemonade stand you remember, but built for back-to-back rec games. 1000mg sodium. 200mg potassium. 60mg magnesium. No sugar.

Snag a box and get a free 8-flavor Sample Pack while it’s still around.

Warning: may cause flashbacks to lemonade stands and fewer leg cramps.

The International Pickleball Federation and the World Pickleball Federation have voted unanimously to merge, a move many months in the making that will now help promote their shared mission to “regulate, develop, and promote pickleball globally.”

Both groups reportedly met separately in Special General Meetings over the weekend to approve the unification.

The group will continue under the WPF banner until a new board is elected. A new headquarters is proposed for Lausanne, Switzerland — home to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The merger is a strategic move to strengthen the two organizations into one and establish the new group to spearhead “the need for a singular, unified international governing body to enhance the sport’s growth, governance, credibility, and Olympic aspirations” — potentially as soon as 2028 or 2032.

It’s unclear what happens now to the third player on the world stage, the Global Pickleball Federation.

As Erik Tice puts it, “Whether a single federation emerges or a fractured landscape persists, pickleball's future at the Olympics will depend on its ability to speak with one voice — internationally and institutionally.”

👉 Read his full story.

The PPA Orange County Cup gets underway this week in San Clemente, CA, a favorite stop among Tour pros for the pristine weather conditions and top-notch facilities at Life Time Rancho.

All the big names will be there — except Quang Duong, who has to sit this one out as part of his recent suspension, Riley Newsman, who is still battling an injury, and Dekel Bar, who is sick.

Here are a few predictions from our resident expert, Erik Tice:

🥇 Men’s singles: Ben Johns def. Jaume Martinez Vich

🥇 Women’s doubles: Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright def. Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson in a close one

🥇 Men’s doubles: Hayden Patriquin and Federico Staksrud def. Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio for their first gold of 2025

And some storylines to watch for along the way.

👉 For a deeper dive, read our full event preview.

Alright, you’ve handled hydration. Now it’s time to get your whole body on point.

Superpower is concierge healthcare without the concierge price. 100+ lab tests. A full-body check-in. Personalized game plan. You’ll get a snapshot of your health now, and the tools to actually improve it over time.

Think of it like your physical, upgraded for the modern world. No waiting rooms. No guessing. No “you’re fine” when you’re clearly not.

Because being able to move well on court starts with knowing what’s going on off it.

It’s not often we cover the opening of a new pickleball facility; honestly, there are so many popping up every day across the world it would be impossible to keep up.

Boca Paddle is different.

Yes, the 100,000-square-foot facility operated by CityPickle will be world-class, with 19 pickleball courts and 6 more for padel. Yes, the majority of those courts will be indoors, blissfully climate-controlled against the Florida heat and humidity. And sure, a beloved local farm-to-table restaurant will even be on hand to fuel the 200 hours of daily court time across all skill levels.

That’s all well and good, but we’re here for the A-list roster of investors — proof-positive that Boca Raton, FL, is vying to become the new mecca for world-class pickleball (sorry, Austin, TX).

That includes top pros and Boca residents Anna Bright, Ben Johns (a recent Austin transplant), JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, and Gabriel Tardio, as well as industry stalwarts Al Tylis (Brooklyn Pickleball Team), Richard Chaifetz (The St. Louis Shock), and Ron Saslow (Chicago Slice).

The facility is slated to open early 2026. Keep an eye out.

A review from the Dink Fam...

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