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Revealing the world's largest pickleball facility

Revealing the world's largest pickleball facility

The goofy backhand.

December 01, 2023

Good Year for Pickleball? Tour wars, pay cuts, and paddle testing drama…you could argue it may not have been the best year for pickleball - but we can definitely say it’s a Goodyear for pickleball…

Four PPA pros took to the skies and played mile-high pickleball in the Goodyear blimp ahead of this week’s Finals in San Clemente and is said to make an appearance during the tournament.

First pickleball on top of the Space Needle, then drone shows at Nationals. Now, blimps at Finals…does the PPA have a new obsession with throwing things in the sky?

The perfect product for avid pickleballers just launched (it’s the perfect gift, too). The Pickleball Box, a pickleball subscription featuring gear, accessories, apparel and more, is now available at thedink.shop.

If you obsessed with pickleball, you need this. If you need a gift idea for the pickleball obsessed, this is it.

In This Issue:

🤪 The goofy backhand
🍑 Georgia, you’re on my mind
🦗 Keep it quiet

Let’s get moving.

Let's Face it, Backhands Suck

It's rare to find a player who prefers their backhand over their forehand. Some players, even pros, make a concerted effort to avoid backhands at all costs.

James Ignatowich debuted a new way to eliminate the backhand last year in Orlando. While chasing down a dink, Iggy actually turned his back to the net to complete one of the most absurd ATPs you will ever see.

Instead of hitting a weak backhand while sliding, Iggy went goofy-footed and utilized the power of his dominant hand. He spun away from the net so that the ball was on the right side of his body.

With the ball on his right side, the stroke employs the same muscle groups as a forehand, just in the opposite direction. Watch Ignatowich put the stroke into action here.

If your backhand ATP isn't getting the job done, give this variation a try. When you pull this off in rec play, odds are it's not coming back.

Got a Crack? Send It Back.

Say goodbye to frequent ball replacements and hello to the Selkirk Pro S1 Pickleball – your new standard in pickleball. Selkirk steps up the game with an innovative, patented design that promises durability and peak performance.

Engineered with cutting-edge seamless rotomolding technology, it offers perfect balance and a 38-hole pattern, ensuring a consistent flight and optimal spin. This translates to greater control and a superior playing experience every time you're on the court.

With a commitment to long-lasting play, the Pro S1 ball is an investment in your pickleball journey. Visit Selkirk's website now and make your weekends about skill, not equipment worries. Your game deserves it!

Record-Breaking Pickleball Center

Is Macon, Georgia the new Dripping Springs, Texas? That remains to be seen, but the area has made pickleball history either way.

Macon-Bibb County’s new sports complex, Rhythm and Rally, is now the largest indoor pickleball facility in the world.

The mind-boggling 166,000 square foot municipal facility will be managed privately and features an impressive slate of features:

32 Climate controlled, individually-fenced courts (16 upstairs, 16 downstairs), four pods of four courts on each level
Full-service pro shop
Located right off a highway
Planned state, regional, and national tournaments
Acryltech Surface
Open 7 days a week

Southern Pickleball has three events planned for the new indoor facility, including the Candy Cane Classic Tournament on December 16 and 17 which has more than 500 registrants so far from 10 states.

The 2024 USA Pickleball Atlantic South Regional Pickleball Tournament will be hosted there in January.

Silence the VuVus

The former Major League Pickleball Commissioner Brooks Wiley – just two days before it was announced that he’s no longer with MLP – recently tweeted something that we meant to cover before all that drama played out.

Remember all the noise at the last MLP event? If you watched it or visited in-person, you wouldn’t be able to forget the airhorns/vuvuzelas that seemed to go off every other second.

In a display of self-awareness (again, before he departed MLP), the former Commissioner took to Twitter to gain fans’ perspectives:

“Should artificial noisemakers, like vuvuzelas, air horns, cowbells, be banned at pro pickleball events…?” he tweeted.

“Leave a comment if you think one should be banned but are OK with others.”

Here are the results of Brooks’ poll:

Seems like half of the fans who voted want pro pickleball events to be like a scene from A Quiet Place – or, at least, to let their cheers be the primary source of noise.

When we think of MLP matches, we tend to think of a more spirited atmosphere than anything tennis inspires. Could it be that pickleball fans have more in common with tennis fans than previously thought?

Singles Day at the PPA Finals

Even though streaming was occasionally difficult at yesterday’s Singles Day, we were able to catch some highlights.

Lea Jansen had to withdraw at the last minute. She had retired from singles earlier in the year due to blood sugar issues. Hopefully, we will see her play sometime this weekend.
Anna Leigh Waters defeated Irina Teresechenko, and Catherine Parenteau beat Mary Brascia in the other semi-final to make it to Championship Sunday. This was an easy prediction since they were easily the best and second best women’s singles players throughout the year.
We watched this replay at least ten times and still can’t figure out how The Tweener King pulled it off.
Ben Johns defeated Tyson McGuffin in one semi-final and Christian Alshon beat Federico Staksrud in the other semi-final.

We’ll see if CP can finally get a win over ALW. Meanwhile, the Ben vs. Christian finals will make for great viewing on Championship Sunday.

Balance Your Game

Gryp Pickleball introduces the Balance 1 paddle, a true game-changer for pickleball enthusiasts.

The Balance 1 shines with its ability to adapt to your playing style. Thanks to its innovative Adjustable Weight Technology, you can tailor the paddle to suit your game, whether you're aiming for more power or greater control.

Its design ensures swift, aerodynamic swings, reducing drag and enhancing your speed and responsiveness on the court. The paddle's construction is crafted for durability, with a focus on preventing common issues like handle crush, ensuring your gear stays in top condition.

If you're ready to get a GRYP on your game, head over to their website and use code DINK10 for a great deal on your purchase.

This pro went absolutely ape sh**

Altaf Merchant joins the pod after completing a perfect season in men’s senior pro doubles. The Mumbai Monster recaps the most exciting matches on his way to a 59-0 record.

Merchant explains how his fiery personality has gotten him into trouble on the court and shares why he thinks he was snubbed in the MLP 2023 draft.

Watch here or listen here.