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In This Issue:
 
🧵 String theory
📊 A not-so-mixed outcome
🐟 Surprise fish

Let’s get to it.

PPA Gold Cup Results

Move With Your Partner

Moving with your partner is a crucial part of pickleball. The old adage “Down the middle solves the riddle” is popular because it is true.

Creating a gap between players and then exploiting the gap is one of the best ways to win a point. Selkirk coach Morgan Evans breaks down how to move with your partner in this video.

Of course, you have heard the advice “Pretend there is a string connected to you and your partner.” If they move left to cover the line you should also move left to cover the middle.

But how long should that piece of string be?

• Evans suggests that spry players can leave 9-10 ft between partners

• For those that don’t move as well, Evans recommends a 6-8 ft gap to help reduce the space left open down the middle

He also drops the tip that if you don’t move well, it’s advantageous to keep the ball in the middle of the court. This cuts down on the angles your opponents can use to attack.

There are a lot of factors that go into doubles court coverage; find more strategies here.

Dress to Impress

Say hello to unbeatable style and comfort with Good Get Apparel's women's bottoms, your new MVP on the court.

Flaunt your skills in the 'You’re A Star Edition' skirt, boasting pristine white with playful pink logos, or make a bold move in the 'Rally Red edition' skirt, complete with a red-on-black Double G print for that fierce game face look.

And for those who value coverage with convenience, the 'Dinks & Clinks Leggings' are your perfect match for those strategic dinks or celebrating your wins.

Up your game and look with apparel that's as serious about pickleball as you are. Visit Good Get Apparel’s website and use the code DINK15 to snag an exclusive discount.

Mixed Doubles Reigns Supreme

The people have spoken! If you could only play one format of pickleball in 2024, it would be mixed doubles. How do you feel, surprised?

Firstly, shout-out to all the singles players out there - we love you, but we probably could have guessed that singles would be trailing the vote. It’s not that we don’t love a singles game from time to time, but it doesn’t quite stack up against the long rallies that doubles brings.

Gender doubles usually gets the gold for being the more entertaining format to watch. Women’s doubles have long-lasting fire-fights that build excitement and men’s doubles have both power and speed. Kinda shocked these didn’t do better.

So mixed-dubs it is, then. Our next question is: are you adjusting your game to play mixed the right way? Make sure your mixed partner is subscribed, for more game tips.

Oh, and don’t end up like these guys.

Milestones and Upsets in Daytona

Leave it to Daytona to produce more upsets on the PPA Tour. We outlined a few on Friday, but the biggest of the weekend was a loss from the Johns Bros on Saturday morning to Jaume Martinez Vich and Wyatt Stone.

The Johns Bros are almost guaranteed to make it to Championship Sunday and win on Championship Sunday. Martinez Vich and Stone had a career performance on the outer courts of Pictona to take down the number 1 seed.

Despite the loss, Ben had a weekend that other players could only dream of. He won his 200th career men's singles match on the tour. Fittingly enough, it was a win over long-time rival Tyson McGuffin for gold.

• Ben and Anna Leigh Waters also capped off an incredible year in mixed doubles with another title

• ALW and Catherine Parenteau moved to a perfect 50-0 record in women's doubles with a win over Lucy Kovalova and Callie Smith in the finals

• Salome Devidze won her first career PPA title with a victory over Lacy Schneeman yesterday

• JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier capitalized on the Johns’ loss and took home men’s doubles gold

The PPA Finals will include the top 8 players in each division based on PPA points. The event will take place Nov 30 - Dec 3 in San Clemente, CA leading into the MLP Playoffs.

Paddle Concerns in Daytona

Rob and Stone chime in on the current state of the pro game. Paddle testing continues to get murky as ADF standards allegedly changed mid-tournament in Daytona.

Rob will play at the APP Indoor Championships in Chicago with a tight turnaround before the MLP Playoffs in San Clemente. The guys speculate into 2024 and want answers on the MLP draft and final schedule for next year.

Watch here or listen here.

Healthy Hydration

Drinking enough water isn’t just about keeping your blood pumping or your body properly hydrated.

You literally need water to stay smart and strong on the court. If you’ve ever asked yourself if you’re drinking enough water, the answer is: probably not.

Click here to find the best water bottle for you. Their bottles keep fluids cool all day, whether you’re practicing with friends or competing for gold.

Tales from the Court, Part 12

This unusual pickleball experience comes to us from Dave V.W. Send in your own interesting pickleball stories here.

Two Winners Collide

Week 9 brings us an exciting match between the 2-1 Tempe Tornadoes vs. the 2-1 Peoria Pythons.

Both teams are a lock for the playoffs.

In fact, these two teams are likely to face each other in the playoffs as the 2 & 3 seed, though that's certainly not guaranteed.

Will either team try to sandbag and hold back some fancy moves to save those for the playoffs? Or will they both play their hearts out in order to gain a mental competitive edge if/when they meet again in the playoffs?

HOW TO WATCH: It’s another sold-out crowd at The Orchard so you will have to watch from home. Tune in to The Dink’s YouTube Channel – Tue Nov 21 @ 8pm ET.

Headlines & Quick Hits

• Was this the greatest mixed doubles match of all time?

• Vote for your city, enter to win a lifetime supply of pickleball gear

• ICYMI: The case for boring pickleball

Highlights

• Remember kids, don’t hit your serves into the net 🤦‍♂️

• Such a nasty inside out from Tardio

• Someone’s gotta do it 🤷‍♂️

• These angles are crazy 😮

A review from the Dink Fam...