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Have you tried this shot?

Have you tried this shot?

Collegiate pickleball makeover. Unbelievable winner from down under.

January 31, 2025

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Pickleball might be even more fun in Australia. The PPA Tour has ventured down under for the first-ever Australia Pickleball Open and it feels like a blast from the past.

The excitement shown by the Aussie competitors and crowd brings back a little nostalgia from when pickleball was in its ‘kumbaya era’.

Our Picks ☝️

🦈 Shark Tank: Pickleballers Seek Investment on Shark Tank India

Apparently, India has its own version of Shark Tank. This week a pickleball court company pitched their idea to help spread the game. See if they got anyone to bite here.

🎥 Video: Early Front Runner for Body Bag of the Year

What’s worse hurt feelings or an injured body? Watch and decide for yourself.

🏉 Expansion: Pickleball Kingdom Enters Packer Country

Super Bowl Champion and long-time pickleball advocate, Donald Driver, has partnered with Pickleball Kingdom to help open pickleball facilities in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

🏆 Never Say Never: Newman and Wright Together Again

Riley Newman and Matt Wright were the No.2 team in the world before breaking up in 2023. The duo will attempt to bring back the magic for another championship run together at the PPA Tucson Open in February.

Are You Hitting This Shot Yet?

Zane told the world about this shot a couple of years ago but it still hasn’t reached the mainstream. It’s time to ditch the weak backhand putaways and start using the tomahawk to finish points.

When you catch a high ball on your left-hand side, the tomahawk is the perfect option for hitting a powerful shot that can be hit in any direction. That’s why players like @aleck.blair (above) are adding it to their drill routines.

Instead of hitting a traditional backhand, turn your paddle face 180 degrees, like you're checking the time on your watch. From here you can use your triceps to add power and maneuver your wrist to create any angle imaginable.

Not only is the shot difficult for defenders to read, but it also allows you to reach further into the kitchen and hit down on the ball.

Zane predicts that all the pros will be using this shot when pickleball is finally solved. Get the jump on it now and start drilling the tomahawk.

The Only 12-Pack You Need This Winter

Forget the usual 12-pack this winter. Grab a dozen Selkirk Pro S1 pickleballs instead.

These bad boys are built to withstand the coldest temperatures, so you can keep your game going strong all season long.

No more worrying about cracked balls or subpar performance in the cold – the Selkirk Pro S1s deliver consistent flight and bounce, even when the mercury drops.

So ditch the typical winter beverages and grab a dozen of these game-changers.

All Fun and Games Down Under

Spirits appear to be high at the inaugural PPA Australia Pickleball Open. Between the crowd-favorite Aussie announcers, Gabe Tardio’s love of kangaroos, or a little brotherly love between the Duong brothers, this tournament is definitely passing the vibe check.

Top 10 Worthy
Gabe Tardio pulled out one of the nastiest winners of the year against Vuk Velickovic in the quarterfinals. He followed that up with a hilarious interview and an even more impressive semifinal win over Quang Duong.

On Sunday, Tardio will compete against Tyson McGuffin for Singles gold and partner with McGuffin for a shot at men’s doubles gold where they’ll face Quang Duong/CJ Klinger.

USA vs Australia
As expected, Kaitlyn Christian powered through the women’s singles bracket. In the finals, she will face 12-seed Somer Dalla-Bona, who is the top women’s singles player out of Australia.

A Hurricane in Australia
Hurricane Tyra Black and Allyce Jones are keeping the masses entertained with highlights of their own. They’ll take on Lacy Schneemann/Vivian Glozman for gold on Sunday.

When to watch
The event continues with mixed doubles action which is played Saturday morning in Australia but because of the time difference can be viewed in the States at 6 pm ET tonight on PickleballTV. That also means you can tune into Championship Sunday matches starting at 6 pm ET tomorrow.

Men’s Singles Final
(1) Tyson McGuffin vs (3) Gabe Tardio
Women’s Singles Final
(1) Kaitlyn Christian vs (12) Somer Dalla-Bona
Men’s Doubles Final
(1) Tyson McGuffin/Gabe Tardio vs (3) Quang Duong/CJ Klinger
Women’s Doubles Final
(1) Hurricane Tyra Black/Allyce Jones vs (2) Lacy Schneemann/Vivian Glozman

Get to know some of the international talent and see who our guy Erik Tice predicted to win it all here.

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Next Pickleball Game in the South of France?

Okay, Dink fam, we just heard about something that's making us seriously rethink our next vacation. Forget the all-inclusive resort. We're talking pickleball in the South of France.

Yeah, you read that right.

Pickle Away is running these trips that blend pickleball with luxury travel. Think training with top pros, exploring Monte Carlo (champagne optional, but highly recommended), and basically living the dream.

Beyond the courts? Picture this: Hôtel Beau Rivage, vineyard visits with views that'll make you weep, and Provençal cuisine that'll ruin you for all other food. (Sorry in advance.)

Only TWO spots are left for the May 5-10, 2025, South of France adventure.

Seriously, if you're serious about pickleball and next-level travel, this is it.

2025 Collegiate Pickleball Tour

DUPR and the UPA just released the schedule for the spring semester of the Collegiate Pickleball Tour. College teams will have 4 Super Regional events and 5 showcase events to qualify for the National Championship in Atlanta, April 11-13.

Finalists at the National Championship will also earn a chance to compete against the pros. The top two teams will be entered into the MLP Mid-Season Tournament at the Challenger Level.

A new addition to the Collegiate Pickleball Tour is the College World Championship. The two-day tournament will precede UPA Worlds and include domestic and international college teams.

Learn more about the Collegiate Pickleball Tour here.

Previous National Champions include: