Pulled wide? Do this 👉

MLP playoff window closing. To the player who calls everything out.

October 16, 2024

When was the last time you picked up a tennis racket? After playing exclusively pickleball for a few months, your perceptions will change.

The tennis racket will feel massive, like ‘How did I ever swing this thing?’ and the court will feel like it’s the size of a football field. U.S. tennis star Donald Young is one of the only players who’s managed to play both pro tennis and pro pickleball simultaneously.

He played a pro pickleball event the week before the U.S. Open, where he and Taylor Townsend made a surprise run to the mixed doubles final. Young recounts his experience at the U.S. Open and the non-stop questions he received from tennis players inquiring about pro pickleball on the PicklePod. More on that below.

In This Issue:

🏆 MLP Playoffs on the line
🤨 What would you do?
📐 Advice for playing out wide

Happy Wednesday.

Our Picks ☝️

🏀 Crossover: Women’s Basketball Team Hosts Pickleball Fundraiser

The women’s basketball team at Stetson University is turning to pickleball in the pre-season. The team will host a pickleball fundraiser at Pictona in Florida, and all proceeds from the event will directly support the Stetson women's basketball student-athlete experience.

🏆 Championship: National Pickleball League Championships

The NPL is a team-based pro league for players aged 50 plus. The league’s second season comes to a close this weekend in Cincinnati. The 12 teams will compete in a bracket format to determine this season’s champ. Submit your predictions here.

📸 Photo: Pickleball in the Ball, Dinking at 470 ft from the Reunion Tower in Dallas

What to Do When Pulled Off the Court

Getting pulled off the court from a wide shot can leave a massive hole between you and your partner, and if you don’t do a few specific things to recover, you’ll lose the point every time.

Top pro Catherine Parenteau teaches what those things are on a recent episode of Selkirk TV.

  1. Stay controlled: It’s easy to feel rushed, but staying controlled as you allow the ball to bounce and take position with your paddle under it will massively affect your shot. Waiting to hit the ball on the decline (after it bounces) buys you as much time as you need to get your paddle in a good position to strike it.

  2. Avoid crossing your feet: Crossing your feet requires extra steps to recover. Instead, perform a side lunge—or one big step with your outside foot—to help get your body to the ball and low enough to get your paddle under it.

  3. Make the next ball bounce: Many players will try to be aggressive with their next shot. They freak out and hit a drive or try to hit a ball back crosscourt. Instead, your goal should be to make the next ball bounce to the middle of the kitchen. This gives you and your partner more time to recover and prevents an out-of-the-air winner from your opponents.

  1. Use the lob: Hitting a lob can buy you valuable time to get back in position. While it shouldn’t be your first choice (because it’s a hard shot to hit well), it’s a great last resort if needed.

See these tips in action with the full video from Selkirk TV.

Selkirk’s TruWear Collection Hits the Court

As the chill of fall sets in, it’s the perfect time to gear up with some warmer threads. That's where Selkirk’s TruWear Collection comes into play.

The collection features everything from pullovers and hoodies to versatile workout shirts available in both short and long sleeves. Need something for those cooler mornings? The long-sleeve shirts are a real game-changer. And for those days when you’re feeling a bit more polished, why not hit the court in one of their sharp polos?

With a color palette that includes basics like black, white, grey, and navy blue, these pieces are super easy to throw on with anything. Plus, the joggers? They’re perfect for a warm-up session or just lounging after a match.

Check out Selkirk’s TruWear Collection and elevate your off-court style this season. Who says staying warm can't also mean looking cool?

Holding On To Playoff Aspirations

Major League Pickleball is in full swing in Las Vegas. Teams are battling the heat and shadows to earn one of the six coveted spots in this year’s playoffs.

A New Look for the Squeeze
The Orlando Squeeze was one of the teams that acted at the MLP trade deadline. They exchanged Parris Todd for Meghan Dizon, and the move is paying off.

The Squeeze are undefeated through two days in Vegas and have racked up three wins in regulation. They’re narrowly hanging onto playoff contention, but this trade could be the spark needed to push them into the top six.

Injury Substitutions
AJ Koller is making another Premier Level appearance, filling in for his cousin Thomas Wilson on the LA Mad Drops.

Roscoe Bellamy is replacing Jay Devilliers on the Columbus Sliders. Devilliers is out for the remainder of 2024 due to a knee injury.

Seven matches are remaining on today’s docket. The match of the day is a meeting between the two points leaders, the St. Louis Shock and Dallas Flash. These two heavyweights square off at 3 pm ET.

Catch the Vibe

OluKai might be famous for their beachy sandals, but their 'Anau shoes have made quite the splash on the pickleball courts. Pro players like Hannah Blatt are rocking them for a reason—these shoes bring the perfect balance of durability and agility, making them ideal for those quick moves on the court.

And, of course, they come with that laid-back OluKai style we all love, adding a touch of Aloha to every game. Whether you're playing in a tournament or just having fun with friends, these shoes combine function with a vibe that stands out.

So, which color are you grabbing for your next match? The 'Anau shoes are ready to become your new go-to for the court.

What’s Your Take?

For some players, it’s win at all costs every time they step on the court. Those people can be great competition but also create some awkward situations like this one:

“I play rec games with a group of friends. There is no money involved. There is a woman in the group who will consistently call the ball out if it lands anywhere close to the line, giving her team the point or side out.

Even if her partner says the ball was in, she will insist on calling it out. We’re all playing for fun. However, this is getting pretty annoying. Hope do I tell or show her proper pickleball etiquette?”

Tennis Stars Curious About Pro Pickle

On the latest PicklePod, Donald Young shared insights from this year’s U.S. Open and how his transition to pro pickleball has caught the attention of tennis stars. Young has been competing in pickleball all year, but the U.S. Open marked the official end of his tennis career.

Young revealed that tennis players are more interested in pickleball than ever. “As soon as I walked in, I got comments like, ‘Is this racket a little too big for you?’” he joked, explaining how players like Sloane Stephens and Frances Tiafoe are asking about the sport’s potential. Many are curious, especially about the money. According to Young, some pickleball pros make more money than tennis pros ranked outside the top 50.

With fewer travel demands and steady sponsorship deals, pickleball is an attractive option. Young says, “It’s a lot more chill, a lot more welcoming.” One major difference is that pickleball’s schedule is still domestic. Young says he can arrive the day before a tournament and compete versus bringing his whole training team to an international event to acclimate days before a big tennis tournament. See the full interview here.

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