Close your eyes. Are they closed? Great.

Imagine this scenario: An arms race. Two major powers, hell bent on destroying one another and establishing dominance.

But then, a treaty is signed; trade reopens; resources shared. A peaceful path forward charted.

As the fog of war lifts, the two realize they’ve drained their resources building their armies. Fiscal conservation takes center stage; budget cuts ensue.

Now open your eyes. Tell me, did you picture two nations in a geopolitical strife…

…or pro pickleball?

In This Issue:
 
🍀 Better fourths: no luck needed
🔀 The pro league shuffle
💅 Real Housewives on the court

Let’s get it.

Fourth Shot Fundamentals

The fourth shot is one of the reasons people love pickleball. It’s your chance to be a superstar.

The serving team has to hit a shot that lets them advance in the court. You get to sit at the kitchen line and play defense.

After smacking down a few high thirds, you’ll start planning your pro career.

Since the returning team’s advantage is most notable on the fourth shot, it’s important to make the most of the opportunity.

John Cincola has 4 tips to optimize it:

1. Set yourself up for success

• Hit a quality return deep into the court

• Get all the way to the kitchen line

• If the returner can’t make it to the line, their partner can step in and take more court

2. Find your most aggressive fourth

• Look to take the ball out of the air when possible

• If you’re forced to let it bounce, allow the ball to reach its highest point off the bounce

• Play an aggressive shot with topspin

We will cover the two remaining tips next week, but if you can’t wait until then, you can find them 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.

Salary Cuts for PPA, MLP Pros

After Jill Braverman’s puzzling tweet yesterday, we knew something was about to happen.

So we spoke to a number of key figures, and eventually came into possession of an email from MLP to its roster of talent and some information from PPA’s side.

Here’s what we found out:

• PPA & MLP are requesting that players consent to compensation reductions (it turns out $15m per year in salaries isn't exactly sustainable for either organization)

• Ben Johns & Anna Leigh Waters have both agreed to six-figure pay cuts, and other PPA-contracted pros have agreed to lesser pay cuts

• The proposed MLP pay reduction is 40% and will reduce work obligations proportionally. Current MLP contracts stipulate 200 days of work (ex. player salary is $100k, new salary would be $60k with 120 work days).

• MLP players who consent to the pay reduction will be guaranteed 10 "slots" in PPA events

• MLP players who don't consent will not be allowed to participate in PPA events and will instead be placed in a 'development program', which consists of clinics, camp and appearance requirements that will count toward their work day obligations (no competition outside of MLP events)

• MLP has parted ways with Commissioner Brooks Wiley

There’s a lot to unpack there, and we’ve done so in our full blog. But none of this is ultimately that surprising (except Brooks’ departure from MLP).

Zane Navratil & Thomas Shields of the PicklePod frequently speculated (49:00) that both the PPA & MLP would ultimately seek to renegotiate player salaries heading into the new year.

It doesn't take a financial guru to recognize that allocating $15 million per year for extremely inflated, well above-market salaries isn't the most fiscally conservative strategy for a startup.

Theoretically, this move paves the way for a more sustainable model and makes the organizations less reliant on raising more capital.

The Real Housewives Try Pickleball

Pickleball is on reality television once again — this time, on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Potomac.

Shelby Bates & Amanda Hendry of the DC Pickleball Team coached the first-timer pickleball players during the minute-and-a-half segment in the show’s most recent episode.

The team at Dill Dinkers, the pickleball facility turned TV set, says they were surprised when Bravo reached out.

“While reality TV wasn't on our brand's radar, our vision is to spread the joy of pickleball nationwide, and TV is a great way to get the word out,” VP of marketing Erika Spalding says.

“It's clear from the episode that the Housewives threw themselves into the sport. And, despite the drama, everyone had fun playing.”

In case you’re wondering how the cast of characters did on the court: let’s just say there’s room for improvement.

First of Its Kind

The adidas Metalbone has arrived, ready to shake up the pickleball world.

With a PMI Foam core and a 13mm profile, it delivers a responsive feel and explosive power on impact. The matte black and red finish accentuates its high-end construction, while the custom adidas tool allows for personal adjustment without the fuss of lead tape.

Transition smoothly from tennis with a design that mimics the grip and feel of a racket, refined for pickleball precision. Whether you're just starting out or aiming to crush the competition, the Metalbone is built to elevate your game.

Don’t just play—dominate with the Metalbone, the new standard in pickleball excellence.

The Final Countdown

The APP Tour wraps up its year this week in Chicago: the U.S. Indoor Championships mark the end of the 2023 season.

Andrei Daescu looks to cap a historic season with two more gold medals, assisted by partners Rob Nunnery and Susannah Barr. The big man then has a quick turnaround to compete in the MLP Playoffs in California on Monday morning.

The women's singles field is lighter than usual as some players have already gone into offseason mode. Barring any upsets, Dominique Schaefer should have a smooth road to gold.

This is also the last chance for some players to state their case for the 2024 MLP draft. A strong performance to end the year could go a long way toward improving their draft position for next year.

Tune into the Indoor Championships starting Saturday at 1pm ET.

Headlines & Quick Hits

• Experience enhanced performance and recovery

• Vote for the next Picklr city & enter to win a lifetime of pickle gear

• Is your return of serve costing you pickleball matches?

• ICYMI: Not quite a drive, not quite a drop: the hybrid third

Highlights

• Can’t get anything past Shick 💨

• Keep your balls off my court 😡

• There’s no way that paddle is legal 🤣

• Priorities…

A review from the Dink Fam...