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There was something in the water at PPA Newport Beach. Low seeds made surprise deep runs. A stray golf ball almost brained Ben Johns on Championship Court. And one player hit a shot so good, it showed up on ESPN the next day.

We recap the madness, and tip our caps to all the winners, below.

In This Issue:
— Best paddles of the early 2000s
— When to attack from the midcourt
— FAU takes APP collegiate title

Let’s go.

Something about those California vibes just brings out the best from the pros. Dylan Frazier and Ting Chieh Wei were feeling red, while Jorja and Tyra stunned in burgundy. Anna Leigh, as always, was on point. See all the fits.

If you’re unfamiliar with Eric Oncins’ game, let us help you get acquainted. The 23-year-old Brazilian-born pro is quickly making a splash for his freakish athleticism and shot-making ability. Like this behind-the-back winner that landed on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.

Pay attention to the pro ranks and you’ll notice something undeniable: compared to even just a couple months ago, way more pros are wearing protective eyewear. Many from a brand called Pilla. We covered their partnership with AB and ALW, if you’re curious.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? Nico, Zane, and longtime pro and RPM founder James Ignatowich draft their most influential pickleball paddles of the early 2000s. Shoutout Franklin, Onix, and Electrum. See who else made the list.

Pro Eric Roddy wants you to flip the script when it comes to defensive pickleball. Specifically, as you’re transitioning from the baseline to the kitchen.

Here’s the new rule:

✅ “If you believe your drop, drive, or drip will reach your opponents’ feet and they’ll have to hit up on the next shot, that is a good indicator that you may get an opportunity to move forward and attack the next ball from the transition zone.”

When you’re advancing through the midcourt, the soft game often prevails. And that makes sense. You’re fighting to get to the kitchen as your opponent has the advantage.

But you can rip an attack when they’re least expecting it. You just need to wait for the right ball. Namely, one that sits high enough to be aggressive with.

Now what to do with it. “Attacks from the transition zone either need to be hit hard enough right at your opponent that they can’t dodge the ball,” says Roddy, “or they need to be angled down towards their feet.”

Mix this mindset into your midcourt game and you’ll start to see your offensive opportunities open up.

Roddy explains a few more tactics to pull this off effectively — plus, how to recognize it and get out of the way if you’re on the other end.

➡️ Learn more.

One of the biggest paddle launches of the year just hit the market.

The JOOLA Pro V lineup is officially here — featuring updated versions of fan favorites like the Perseus, Hyperion, and Scorpeus, plus new designs built around JOOLA’s Kinetic Frame technology for faster snapback, improved stability, and more consistent power.

And if you’ve tried to buy a brand-new paddle at launch before, you know the deal — they’re almost never discounted right away.

That’s what makes this one interesting.

Midwest Racquet Sports already has the new JOOLA Pro V paddles in stock — and you can actually get 15% off.

Use code THEDINK to take 15% off JOOLA and other paddles on the Midwest site.

Sooner or later, the top seeds will be upset in the finals on the PPA Tour. That day was not yesterday.

But that doesn’t mean PPA Newport Beach was without its surprises. By all accounts, this was a highly entertaining affair:

In the end, though, the best were simply too good. Here’s who hit the podium for gold and silver:

This marks their 200th career PPA final appearance and 60th career mixed doubles gold for Ben and Anna Leigh, who also rolled to her 41st Triple Crown.

If you thought this was fun, we’ve got good news for you: the PPA Texas Open starts tomorrow. We’ll have a full preview for that soon.

➡️ Get the full rundown.

The 2026 APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships took place March 6–8 in Cape Coral, Florida, bringing together top collegiate pickleball teams from across the country.

Florida Atlantic University captured the 2026 collegiate team title, defeating Utah Tech in the championship match. The win gave Florida Atlantic its first APP collegiate championship.

“This team is absolutely amazing,” said FAU team captain Bella Nelson. “We pick each other up when everyone’s down, we know how to pull it together, find the game plan and have each other’s backs – and that’s what makes it so special.”

Utah Tech finished as runner-up after a strong run through the bracket, while University of Texas-Austin came in third.

➡️ See the full results.

You already know magnesium helps with sleep and stress. But here's what most players don't realize: it's also one of the most powerful tools for muscle recovery, reducing cramps, and sustaining energy on the court.

The catch? Most supplements only use one or two forms — like glycinate or citrate — and your body needs all 7 to get the full benefit.

Magnesium 7 from Organixx is the only formula with all 7 major forms plus a vitamin to boost absorption.

"No more cramping during exercise!" — Mary M., verified buyer

➡️ Grab the Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal — backed by a 365-day money back guarantee.

Listen, we’ve watched countless hours of live pro pickleball going back many years. We’ve seen it all.

That is, until this weekend, when Ben Johns was nearly brained on championship court, mid-match, by a flying golf ball from a nearby course.

Nobody knew what had just happened. The announcers were flabbergasted. The ball came in so fast and so close to Ben, we’re pretty sure it nicked his paddle on its way past.

Ben, of course, was unbothered. He grabbed the ball from a fan and launched it back where it had come from.

Now, just one question remains: who hit the ball, and were they aiming for the GOAT?

➡️ Wrong answers only.

A review from the Dink Fam...

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