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Sorry to the haters, but pickleball’s street cred just got a major boost. Nike is now in the Anna Leigh Waters business, signing the world’s best player to a long-term shoe and apparel deal.

It’s the brand’s first-ever sponsorship of a pickleball pro, and its implications go far beyond what ALW will be wearing on court (though we can tell you already that’s going to be fire).

In This Issue:
— Nike bets big on pickleball
— MLP announces new rules
— The 6 shots you must master

Just dink it.

Zane Navratil just did something rare: he made a video calling out a fellow pickleball content creator for giving what he thought was questionable advice. In this week’s PicklePod, the guys debate whether this was valid or a cheap shot. Pickleball Court is in session.

A year to the day from launching its first pickleball shoe, Selkirk just dropped an updated version of its popular CourtStrike model. And we’ve been testing it for a couple of weeks now. The upgraded outsole feels just plush enough to be responsive but still grabs the court very well. A new insole means all-day comfort. Check it out.

Anna Leigh sailed through the first day of PPA Masters and seems to be vibing with her new Franklin C45 paddle. But one new shot is turning some heads: she busted out some of the highest lob serves we’ve ever seen. Is she just dialing in the new wand, or is this about to become the hot new shot?

Since we last spoke, even more new pro paddle deals have been announced. Gabe Tardio is officially on team Facolos. And Connor Garnett, Riley Newman, and Zane Navratil have made the jump from ProXR to Paddletek (the two brands merged late last year). That pushes the total new deals close to 20. See them all here.

The thing we love most about pickleball is the sport is constantly evolving, especially at higher levels. Just when you think you’ve got your game figured out, an opponent pulls a new shot that has you feeling like a 2.5 all over again.

PPA pro Roscoe Bellamy recently shared the essential shots you need to stay competitive as we head into 2026, focusing on how to handle hotter paddles and more aggressive opponents.

Here are three we’re paying close attention to:

✅ The "Drip" — a hybrid shot that sits right between a drop and a drive. Here’s a pro tip to take it to the next level: the key is to catch your opponents while they are moving forward. By landing a low, slow-moving ball at their feet, you force a pop-up and create an immediate opening for your team to take the net. Or the point.

✅ Counter-Volley — As paddles get more powerful, your ability to reset the point becomes your best defense. A strong counter volley starts with a quiet lower body and a very stable base. To really lock in your positioning, Bellamy suggests tracking the ball with the tip of your paddle after every dink so you’re ready to pounce at a moment’s notice.

✅ Dead Dink — When you get pulled wide or stretched out, the instinct is often to try a hero shot. Instead, the defensive dead dink is a shallow, soft reset played toward the middle of the court. This shot neutralizes aggressive patterns and buys you time to get back to the center. Sometimes the best offense means extending the rally one more shot.

If you’re not adapting, you’re dying.

➡️ Roscoe demonstrates.

So… that’s a Times Square billboard.

Front and center is 120/Life, alongside NFL running back Tiki Barber. And if you look closely, you might notice something familiar: our code is up there too. Not bad for a pickleball newsletter.

120/Life focuses on one thing and does it well: helping people manage blood pressure with a natural, daily routine. Their drinks are made with natural superfoods like beetroot, hibiscus, and pomegranate and are clinically backed to support heart health, circulation, and recovery.

If it’s good enough for Times Square, it’s worth a closer look.

Use THEDINK for 20% off your order.

The biggest brand in sports has placed a major bet on the present and future of professional pickleball.

Nike is now in the Anna Leigh Waters business, signing a new long-term deal with the world #1 that will have her wearing their iconic apparel and shoes at every event for a very long time, beginning right now at PPA Masters.

The deal marks the first-ever pickleball pro to join Nike’s roster of elite global talent.

"Growing up, I watched my idols wear the Swoosh in their biggest moments, so joining the Nike family is a dream realized,” said Waters.

It’s a landmark deal, make no mistake. But this is bigger than one brand and one pro:

This also means Nike will surely lean heavily into the pickleball category, making apparel, shoes, bags, and other accessories designed specifically for the sport. And we can all agree that’s a win for everyone, no?

➡️ See the photos, get the full story.

This week’s PicklePod is full of spicy takes, but none are hotter than this one: Ben Johns will not win another PPA singles title. Ever.

That bold claim comes courtesy of co-host Nico the Lefty, who predicted that 2026 will be the last year Ben competes in men’s singles on the PPA Tour… and he won’t earn a single gold to show for it.

“The game has passed Ben by when it comes to singles,” Nico declared to a clearly unsuspecting Zane Navratil. “He's good enough to compete, not good enough to win.”

Zane thinks it comes down to volume: if Ben competed in singles at every PPA event of the year, then surely he’d top the podium a few times.

But he’s not. And we’re seeing that play out already: Ben isn’t playing singles at PPA Masters, currently underway in Rancho Mirage, CA.

His last singles gold medal came at PPA Atlanta in May of 2025.

So what do you think: will Ben earn another PPA singles gold medal in his career, or is he officially washed?

➡️ The guys debate.

Last week, it was speculation. Now, it’s official. Anna Leigh Waters is signed with Nike.

And if you’re feeling inspired by the news, Midwest Racquet Sports has the Nike apparel and footwear to match the moment. Clean fits, performance staples, and the kind of gear that looks just as good off the court as it does on it.

The Nike era is here. Dress accordingly.

It’s a tradition unlike any other: a few weeks before the MLP Draft, the powers that be release a bunch of updated rules for the season ahead, just to keep us all on our toes.

This year is no different — and there are a couple big changes coming we’re pretty excited about.

✅ First off, each event will have a winner based on a new points system. This is huge, as it should increase the stakes for the teams at each event while also helping the viewer feel more involved and connected to the action.

✅ Playoffs are expanding to 12 of the 18 Premier Level teams (not 10 like last year) and will now include three events spanning three full weeks (Dallas, San Diego, and New York City).

✅ This is the final year for MLP Challenger. In 2027 and beyond, MLP will be consolidated into just one Premier Level. More details to come on this front.

But here’s the big one: Unlike last year, when there were designated bench players, all six players from a team can now play in a match. There are no more "subs" and "starters." Doubles lineups are submitted the night before; Dreambreaker lineups can now be tweaked until right before play begins.

The MLP free agency draft goes down Friday, February 27. The regular season commences on May 22 at MLP Dallas.

➡️ See all the new rules.

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