Stat: 10% of tennis courts converted to pickleball

Do you use these 3 attack patterns? The most clutch players in MLP.

October 09, 2024

The turf war between pickleball and tennis has reached new heights. We all know of a tennis court that’s been converted to pickleball or at least added mixed-use lines.

The Wall Street Journal published data on the takeover yesterday, and the numbers might surprise you. More on that below.

Reminder: Tomorrow is World Pickleball Day. Book your courts now so you have a place to celebrate.

In This Issue:

🤺 3 Attack patterns to dominate with today
💭 Which MLP players perform best in the Dreambreaker
🎰 A preview of the PPA Las Vegas Open

There’s no time like court time.

Tired after pickleball? Too tired to play?

There’s something happening at the cellular level that plays a huge role in how we feel. If you’ve been wondering why your energy feels zapped, it might not be just from the courts.

Post-pickleball exhaustion is often caused by aging and mitochondrial decline. As we age, our mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell) wear out, leading to slower recovery and fatigue.

Timeline's Mitopure® supplement helps renew mitochondria, boosting energy and improving recovery. Feel less sluggish by taking advantage of their massive Prime Day deal here. 

Our Picks ☝️

💰 Market Size: Pickleball Market Size to top $4B by 2033

According to Martket.us News, the Global Pickleball Market is expected to be worth around USD 4.4 billion by 2033, up from USD 1.5 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 11.3% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033.

🌀 Priorities: Paddle Included in Evacuation Essentials

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our friends in Florida hit by Hurricane Milton. Anderson Cooper interviewed one woman who was forced to evacuate. She made sure to list her pickleball paddle among her evacuation essentials.

💰 Quote: Kaitlyn Kerr’s Play Style Gets Roasted by Ben Johns

“As soon as I saw that, I knew you were terrible at pickleball. You should never have to dive.” Catch the full episode here.

🎥 Video: NASCAR’s Austin Dillion Takes the Court

When he’s not racing, Austin Dillion is playing pickleball. He recently hit the Lab in East Austin to take part in a special edition of Zane Navratil’s Pros vs 5.0s.

3 Attack Patterns To Dominate With Today

A key trait of advanced pickleball players is their ability to use patterns to control a game.

If you've ever wondered how some players always seem to be one step ahead, this Up Your Game is for you. We’ll break down three attacking patterns that top players rely on in nearly every match.

Master these, and you’ll win more rallies and dominate your opponents.

1. Forehand Attack from the Right Side

This is one of the most common attack patterns in pickleball. With the ball on your forehand and your opponent’s backhand exposed, attack down the line, aiming for their backhand. After your shot, be prepared for a counter through the middle. Anticipate this by positioning your backhand in the middle or allowing your partner’s forehand to take the next shot.

Notice Dylan Frazier’s attack on the backhand leads to the counter going middle, where JW is waiting with his forehand.

Key Tip: Attacking down the sideline means crossing the highest part of the net, so aim for control rather than power. Hitting too hard will often lead to errors.

2. Off-Speed Forehand Attack

Instead of going for power, fake a big swing but hit the ball softly, aiming low toward your opponent’s knees. This can throw them off balance because they’re likely expecting a fast shot. If they pop the ball up, you have an easy putaway. Off-speed attacks are becoming the new meta in pickleball.

Watch Dylan Frazier in blue - he shows a big swing, then slows down for an aggressive dink instead.

Key Tip: When you show your paddle for the fake, use your peripheral vision to gauge where to aim your off-speed attack.

3. Body Shot Attack

Aiming directly at your opponent’s body is smart because it provides a big target and forces them into an awkward decision – do they use their backhand or forehand for a counter? The good news is that most players will repeatedly hit this ball the same way.

You’ve now learned THEIR pattern. Now, you can exploit it for the rest of the match.

Key Tip: When you attack their body, make note of where their counter goes. The next time you do it, it’ll most likely go to the same spot - only now, your paddle will be waiting there to put the ball away.

Catch Them While You Can

Proton’s paddles, including the newly launched Series 4 'Project Roadrunner,' have been selling out fast—no surprise given their popularity among pickleball players.

If you missed the initial rush, don’t worry; there’s more in Proton's collection to explore. Consider the Series 2 paddle, renowned for being possibly the softest on the market, offering unmatched control and a feel that’s clinched it numerous medals at PPA events, especially favored by 3.0-4.0 players.

And let's not overlook the Series 3, a longer paddle with a gritty, natural texture perfect for extending dwell times and enhancing spin. It’s become a top pick for pros like CJ Klinger.

Dive into the Proton series exclusively at Pickleball Central. Remember to use code THEDINK to get $25 off your Proton paddle.

The Takeover is 10% Complete

The turf war between pickleball and tennis is heating up, and the U.S. Tennis Association has just announced its casualties. The USTA estimates that at least 10% of tennis courts in the U.S. have been converted for pickleball use.

Tennis is hemorrhaging courts at the hands of its young rival, and it isn't surprising - the economics of pickleball are simply more attractive.

  • One tennis court serves four players, while one tennis court converted to four pickleball courts serves 16 players

  • Clubs can rent out more space, cater to more members, and generate more revenue with just a "few strokes of paint"

What makes this situation even more pressing for tennis is the sport’s own revival. The Wall Street Journal notes that the USTA expects to surpass 24.5 million players this year and reach 35 million by 2035.

With both sports experiencing growth, the battle for court space is heating up. As Lew Sherr, CEO of the USTA, points out, "Participation is not zero-sum, but the court space is."

It’s clear that both sports are here to stay, but facilities across the country will need to find ways to accommodate the growing demand. Whether it's repurposing existing courts or building new ones, this turf war is far from over.

The Players in Your Nightmares

Major League Pickleball was born at the Dreamland facility in Dripping Springs, TX. To pay homage, the tiebreaker in an MLP match is called a Dreambreaker … and it’s one of the most thrilling events to witness in pro pickleball.

When a match is tied 2-2, the doubles game goes out the window, and everything comes down to singles and the elusive clutch gene. Since so many matches are decided by a Dreambreaker, our guy Eirk Tice did a deep dive to uncover the players responsible for causing the most nightmares.

Top 5 Premier Level Women:

There’s no surprise that Anna Leigh Waters tops the leaderboard. She’s ahead of the pack by a long shot, and it’s helped lead her New Jersey 5’s to an undefeated Dreambreaker record.

What might surprise you is who’s next on the list. It’s Rachel Rohrabacher and Jackie Kawamoto who rarely compete in pro singles outside of MLP. But when the game’s on the line and every point matters, it looks like they’re the ones you want on the court.

Top 5 Premier Level Men:

On the men’s side, Connor Garnett and Hunter Johnson lead the list as singles specialists. Both players have PPA titles, so there are no surprises there. But check out numbers 4 and 5 in the rankings. Augie Ge and CJ Klinger are known for their doubles game but also hold their own in singles.

Of course, you must factor in individual matchups and where a player ranks in their team’s lineup. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Find out who is underperforming in Dreambreakers and which teams are paying the price.

Hims Has Your Back

It's not just endless drills that up your game—it's also about feeling on top of your game. That's where Hims steps in, not just with treatments but with science-backed plans tailored to your lifestyle.

Rethinking weight loss, Hims dives deep, considering the underlying factors that affect your weight. They kick things off from the comfort of your home, with a simple online assessment, leading to a custom treatment plan that aligns with your body’s needs and your health goals.

With Hims, you’re not merely shedding weight; you’re sharpening your competitive edge. Once your assessment is in, a licensed healthcare provider designs a game plan just for you—possibly featuring an oral medication kit or GLP-1s.

And we know everyone appreciates a sweet deal—start with Hims at just $79/month with a five-month subscription, no insurance required. It’s not just about losing weight; it's about boosting your entire game, from the court to your core.

A Four-Horse Race in Men’s Doubles

Get ready for a hot one. The PPA Tour returns to Las Vegas this week, and 90-degree-plus days are in the forecast.

The Right Side is the Strong Side

Lately, the theme in men’s doubles has been about the importance of the right-side player. Without a strong one, you’re not going to win a title. The right-siders that have found their way to the top of the podium recently are changing things up again in Vegas.

  • Hayden Patriquin - Fresh off another title in Virginia Beach, Patriquin will test out a new partnership this weekend. He and Christian Alshon have a strong shot at winning gold.

  • Gabe Tardio - Tardio has titles alongside Andrei Daescu and Federico Staksrud this year. Could his right-side magic be the secret ingredient to return Riley Newman to gold medal status?

  • Collin Johns and Dylan Frazier are the quintessential right-side players. They’re with their usual partners (Ben and JW). If you have to pick a winner for this event, you’d have to assume it’s one of these four right-side players.

Women’s Singles Parity

Outside of ALW, the women’s singles field is a toss-up. Catherine Parenteau is on a cold streak, and players like Kate Fahey, Brooke Buckner, and Parris Todd have all found their way to Championship Sunday at recent events.

Find out who will make their case for the No.2 spot tomorrow in Vegas. We’re back to a traditional draw this week. Look for the full event preview, including predictions, later today.

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