'Til dink do us part

High drama at PPA Red Rock. The ultimate pickleball-office.

March 26, 2025

Live, from Red Rock. At nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, St. George, Utah’s Little Valley Pickleball Complex could have pros gasping for air. Who’s got the lungs—and game—to handle the altitude?

To add to the drama, there’s a new playoff format, a big TV partner, and more than a handful of fresh new partnerships. We’ll cover it all.

In This Issue:

  • Neutralize net aggression with the punch volley

  • Storylines and predictions for PPA Red Rock

  • The most pickleball wedding ever

Up, up, and away.

Our Picks ☝️

🏆 Spotlight: MiLP Natties Set for December

The 2025 Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championships are officially set for December 3-7 at Pickler Universe in Carrollton, TX. You ready?

🐣 Fresh: Pickleball Apparel that Pops

Designed to take you from home, to the court, and back again, MUEV is an innovative apparel brand dedicated exclusively to pickleball. And their spring line has sprung.

⏱️ Countdown: 29 Days to Major League Pickleball

The countdown is on until the official start of the MLP season. To help pass the time, try this daily player trivia courtesy of our guy on the ground, Erik Tice.

⁉ Debate: Best Place for an Extra Ball

Keeping an extra ball in your pocket during play feels very … tennis. But one Reddit user may have a solution. May we present, the Pickle Pocket.

Beat Bangers with the Punch Volley

Imagine this: You’ve made it to the kitchen line only to find yourself fighting for your life against a couple bangers. Every ball is coming back at a blistering pace. You’re hanging on for dear life.

Selkirk pro James Ignatowich has conquered his fair share of firefights. Rather than matching power with power, he recommends neutralizing the aggression with a quick but poppy punch volley.

✅ Ready position — If your elbow drops behind your body, you’re more likely to pop a ball up on contact. Hold your paddle in front of your chest so you’re ready to counter.

✅ Shorten your swing — The faster a ball is coming at you, the less force you need for an effective counter. A punch volley lets you place a shot with pace, quickly and efficiently.

✅ Lose the wind-up — Imagine your paddle face is a fist and the ball is your target. The punch volley isn’t a full upper-cut; it’s a jab. Keep your backswing to a foot or less and focus on solid contact.

✅ Feet first — Trouble happens when you’re forced to reach for a return. Keep active feet (something Ignatowich knows a lot about) and slide-step into the ball-path whenever possible.

Of course, this tactic only works if you’re able to fight your way to the net. But that’s a topic for another time.

Start Speaking a New Language This Summer

Make this summer the season you master a new language with Babbel, the go-to app for anyone ready to take on a new challenge. Whether you’re traveling, advancing your career, or simply looking to enrich your personal life, Babbel has everything you need to succeed.

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With 14 languages to choose from and features like engaging lessons, podcasts, games, and the AI-powered Conversation Partner, you’ll be speaking with confidence in no time.

Take your language learning to the next level this summer. Since you’re a member of the Dink fam, you can enjoy an exclusive 60% off your subscription!

🤔 Newsletter getting clipped? Click ‘view entire message’ or click here to read online

High Drama Descends on Red Rock

Every PPA event is full of storylines, but this weekend’s Red Rock Open may take the cake, at least so far this year.

First, the venue is located 2,860 feet above sea level. This will be a major adjustment for most, but could favor residents like Etta Tuionetoa, Allyce Jones, Alix Truong, and Tyler Loong.

Next, there’s the new hybrid format that dials up the drama by grouping all semifinal and final action on the same day.

  • Wednesday - Women’s and Men’s Singles through quarterfinals

  • Thursday - Mixed Doubles through quarterfinals

  • Friday - Women’s and Men’s Doubles through quarterfinals

  • Saturday - Semi-finals in all five events

  • Sunday - Championship Sunday

Then, because this is an Open event — worth fewer points than a Cup or Slam — and there’s a big JOOLA event going down in Asia, some notable names are sitting this one out, including Ben Johns, Kate Fahey, Gabe Tardio, Anna Bright, Tyson McGuffin, and more.

Finally, the culmination of Championship Sunday will be aired exclusively on FOX, making the two-hour block from 4:30-6:30 PM ET “one of the biggest moments in pickleball history.”

All that said, we're putting our money on some fresh winners this weekend — like Catherine Parenteau and Christian Alshon earning their first mixed gold, and CJ Klinger and JW Johnson taking men’s dubs.

Work from Home Pickleball Court

More and more, the American workforce is heading back to the office.

Complain all you want, but we’re guessing you’d be singing a different tune if you’re new office space came complete with four tricked-out pickleball courts, golf simulators, fitness areas, and a full health club.

That’s the reality for a new, 20,000-square-foot pickleball-office complex outside of Minneapolis.

The 15 on-site office suites mean there’s plenty of space to take that important work call between matches.

Why Are the Pros Using This Paddle?

Let's chat paddles for a sec. You know those pros like Parris Todd, Will Howells, and Jorja Johnson who seem to have the ball on a string? They're often using the Franklin C45°. Here's why you might want to too.

This 14mm paddle is built for performance. The double thermoforming gives it a super solid and consistent feel. But the real magic? That 45° angled T700 carbon fiber. It's designed to give you maximum spin, so you can really put some sauce on your shots.

Franklin also made sure it feels good in your hand with a vibration-reducing wrap and made it look sharp in electric blue. If you're looking to add some serious control and spin to your game, this paddle is worth a look.

‘Til Dink Do Us Part

Who doesn’t love a good wedding? The ceremony, the vows, the food… the first pickleball match?

For one happy couple, walking down the aisle would only be complete with some friendly games of pickleball immediately following.

After contacting their go-to paddle brand with the idea, Diadem was quick to jump on board, providing equipment for the bachelor and bachelorette parties as well as the wedding day itself. (They even made the groom an official brand ambassador.)

The result: One very unique pickleball-sponsored wedding.

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