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In the 1960s, when pickleball was first invented, all the paddles were made of wood. No carbon fiber grit for maximum spin. No enhanced core materials to improve the sweet spot. It was basically a piece of plywood with a handle.

This week in Sacramento, the pros are throwing it back. The PPA Vintage Open requires wooden paddles to participate, which means the equipment playing field is as level as it will ever be. It’s adapt or die, with real points on the line. Get your popcorn.

In This Issue:
— The ‘Oh sh!t’ drill with Tyra Black
— A $4.1M facility forgets bathrooms
— Tickets going fast for Courted Austin

Groovy, baby.

A new $4.1M playground development in San Francisco’s Stern Grove Park has something for everyone, including four fresh pickleball courts. The only problem? The nearest bathroom is a half-mile away, down a steep hill. “We shouldn’t have to scramble around in the woods looking for a place to pee,” said one resident.

Ever wonder how the most popular pickleballs on the market actually stack up? Braydon over at Pickleball Effect did a deep-dive, analyzing bounce, spin, feel, durability, and more. Turns out, that trusty X-40 is a favorite for a reason.

Zane Navratil’s better half took to TikTok to share a special moment. “When you’re in Malaysia trying to pretend you’re on vacation but… you’re actually here for your husband’s pickleball tournament.” Pictured: Zane pointing up to a massive digital billboard of Ben Johns, Anna Bright, and other PPA pros.

Contractors are now bidding to build a state-of-the-art pickleball facility in South Jordan, Utah, the future home for MLP’s Black Diamonds. The $25M hotspot will house 47 courts, including 13 on the roof and two with stadium seating for more than 1,000 spectators each. Once complete, it will reportedly host one MLP event and one PPA event each year.

There’s a moment in every pickleball game, sometimes several, where a shot leaves you or your partner in a bad situation. It’s often when everyone is jockeying for position at the kitchen — a firefight goes bad and all of a sudden your opponent is 14 feet away, paddle cocked back, about to destroy a ball you just popped up by accident.

That’s right, it’s the “Oh sh!t” moment. Luckily, pro and coach Kyle Koszuta has just the drill for these types of situations. And he enlisted the help of one of the game’s best defenders, Tyra Hurricane Black, to demonstrate. It’s simple: Tyra pops up balls on purpose, then skillfully works her way back to even.

The lesson: You’re never out of a pickleball point. Even when the court is tilted against you. When all seems lost, here’s what to do:

✅ First, retreat. Take a couple big, quick steps away from the kitchen line. Getting the next ball back is going to come down to reaction time. Every split second here counts.

✅ Now, split step at the moment your opponent makes contact with the ball. This gets you low and up on your toes, ready to pounce in any direction. You should be doing this before every shot you hit, every time,

✅ Get your paddle low and out in front. You’re in the weaker position, which means your opponent should be ripping this next shot at your feet. A paddle in front of your chest isn’t going to help you here; get that tip nearly scraping the court.

✅ Get moving. Watch how active Tyra’s feet are during this drill. She’s in constant motion, moving to the ball instead of lunging or reaching.

✅ Be ready to turn the tables. It might take one shot, it might take five. But be patient and you’ll get a drop over the net or find a gap to exploit. As soon as you get your opponent reaching or out of position, be ready to regain the kitchen line. And fast. Golden rule: If their eyes drop to their paddle, you’re on the move.

Congrats: You just turned “Oh sh!t” into “Oh, yeah.” And you’re right back in the point that seemed hopeless just a few moments ago. Now go win it.

➡️ Watch Tyra and Kyle in action.

You know the one. The player whose house everyone ends up at after games. If that’s you, your freezer better be ready.

Good Chop makes it simple: premium, American-sourced meat and seafood, delivered frozen at peak freshness. No guessing at the grocery store, no last-minute runs. Just open the box, fire up the grill, and let the steaks, salmon, or ribs do the talking.

So next time the pickleball crew rolls through, you’re the hero who keeps the night going.

➡️ Head to GoodChop.com, use code DINK130, and knock $130 off your first box.

This week, the pros swing back into action for the PPA Sacramento Vintage Open, a tournament where they’ll be trading in their foam and carbon fiber for paddles circa 1965.

That’s right: The pros are playing with wooden paddles. That means no gritty surfaces for spin and control, no foam-enhanced cores for extra pop and power.

This is pickleball like the founders intended it. Everyone has the same equipment. May the most skilled — and adaptable — athlete prevail.

Notably, many pros are overseas for PPA Malaysia, which means a smaller field in California.

Here’s a look at some podium contenders:

✅ Men’s Singles: #1 Hunter Johnson, #2 Federico Staksrud, #13 Chris Haworth
✅ Women’s Singles: #1 Kate Fahey, #2 Brooke Buckner, #3 Lea Jansen
✅ Mixed Doubles: #1 Jorja and JW Johnson, #3 Jessie Irvine and Gabe Tardio
✅ Men’s Doubles: #1 Collin Johns and Andrei Daescu, #4 JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier
✅ Women’s Doubles: #1 Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black, #2 Allyce Jones and Mari Humberg

Obviously, wooden paddles are the wildcard here, so who will shine is anyone’s guess. This one should be high entertainment value, high drama.

➡️ Read our full event preview, including predictions.

A budget proposal for 18 pickleball courts in Peachtree City, GA, about 40 minutes south of downtown Atlanta, recently passed in a city council hearing, but not without its vocal opponents.

The session was “a hotbed of emotions,” The Citizen reports. A 2023 referendum set the stage for the new courts, but concerns over the $2.3M price tag, parking, and a looming election season pushed back.

“The normally orderly rhythm of a council meeting gave way to cheers, applause, and occasional booing as speakers alternated between passionate support and pointed criticism,” said Citizen Editor Ellie White-Stevens.

While some painted the project as “controversial from the start,” in the end, Major Kim Learnard put the issue to rest: “It’s clear this is what our citizens want.”

➡️ Read the full story.

MUEV’s not just another pickleball apparel brand. They’ve got the pro stamp of approval.

You’ve seen them on the APP Tour (official partner through 2026) and on Major League Pickleball’s St. Louis Shock as the official uniform. Translation: pros are repping MUEV everywhere.

Breathable, lightweight, and built for players who actually sweat. Men’s, women’s, on-court, off-court — whatever you need.

➡️ Shop MUEV and save 20% with code THEDINK.

We’re rolling into Urban Pickleball Club this Saturday, Sept 27 and this one’s going to be big.

Picture downtown rooftop courts, DJs, mini-games, cold drinks, and the best vibes in the city. Whether you’re here to play, mingle, or just soak it all in, this is the social pickleball event you don’t want to miss.

And because you’re part of The Dink crew, we set you up: use code DinkFam for 20% off your ticket.

👉 Grab your spot now before we sell out.

A review from the Dink Fam...

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