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No silly stories or gotcha moments here. Just very serious pickleball journalism like an iconic rock group hosting a pre-tour pickleball tournament and the Mount Rushmore of shady pickleball enterprises.

And just for the record, since we know you’ll see this all over social media today: No, pickleball is not adopting the overhead serve.

In This Issue:
— Try this for more consistent drops
— Top pro leaves Proton for 11Six24
— A $600K amateur tournament?!

Happy April Fools’ Day, Dink fam. Stay vigilant out there.

This newsletter is for you. And we want to ensure it’s providing the best information in the best way possible. That’s why we put together a brief reader survey. Want more instructional content? Less pro drama? Now’s your chance to speak up.

Legendary rock band Weezer is about to kick off a North American tour. Before they do, they’re inviting fans to get to know them better — including hosting a pickleball tournament in Los Angeles they’ll be playing in. Get your tickets.

Many of the top pros are set to compete at the PPA Hanoi Cup in Vietnam, including world #1 Anna Leigh Waters, who’s there for her first-ever international tournament. Will a brand-new setting overseas impact her performance? Let’s find out.

PicklePod co-host Nico the Lefty has launched a free fitness program geared specifically toward pickleball players and powered by accountability. Submit your starting weight, track your journey… the biggest loser wins. See how it works.

Instead of aimlessly hitting drop shots and wondering why you’re dumping so many into the net, take a step back and consider the root of your problem.

That is, maybe you’re not thinking about the shot enough to begin with.

Instead of chopping at the ball or taking a full underhand or sidearm swing, imagine you're tossing a ball into a bucket at a carnival game.

This mental image changes everything about how you approach the shot.

✅ When you're tossing a ball into a bucket, you're using your whole body to aim, moving slowly and deliberately, and focused on accuracy rather than power.

It’s a critical shift from "hit the ball hard" to "place the ball softly." When you think about tossing, you naturally slow down your swing, you keep your body engaged, and you maintain better control over the ball's trajectory.

That’s exactly the motion and mindset you should apply to your drop shot.

One final pro tip: The motion should feel like a pendulum swinging from your shoulder, not a throwing motion from your arm. Your body stays behind the ball, your arm stays locked, and your shoulder drives a smooth, steady motion that feels almost effortless.

➡️ Watch it work.

You’re not getting the same ball twice.

Different speed. Different spin. Different placement.
So even when you feel locked in… it doesn’t always show up in matches.

That’s the gap.

The Hydrogen Sports Electron closes it—giving you the exact same shot, over and over again, until it’s automatic. You’re not reacting. You’re building something repeatable.

Third shots start landing. Resets stop popping up. Your patterns actually hold under pressure.

Yeah—it’s an investment. But if you’re serious about getting better, this is the kind of tool that actually moves the needle. Not just more play… better reps.

See what real training looks like with the Electron.

This week on the PicklePod, Nico and Zane break down the Proton controversy, rumors of unpaid players, and what the ensuing UPA crackdown could mean for the future of the sport.

Could this trickle down into amateur play? The short answer: You bet.

Then things get even crazier as they build the Mount Rushmore of Pickleball Fraud & Shadiness — from questionable companies to failed mega-venues to wild tournament promises that never materialized.

Plus:

It’s one hour of pure pickle entertainment. You’ve earned it.

➡️ Watch now.

In February of 2020, the PPA crowned its first-ever No. 1 pro singles player: Ben Johns. 

For the six years following, only two other players have earned the title, until this week, when a new name rose to the top: Chris Haworth. 

In 320 total weeks, only four players have basked in the glory of being the best men's singles player in the world.

And although Ben Johns, the undisputed GOAT of pickleball, has held the honor for almost 70% of those weeks, times are changing. 

Starting with our newest singles champ, Chris Haworth, we dive into a brief but compelling history of the PPA’s top male singles players — plus a look at what the future might hold for this coveted title.

➡️ Get educated.

Court feel. Stability. Durability. Fit.
And somehow every brand claims to do all of it.

That’s where Midwest Racquet Sports comes in.

They’ve got one of the deepest selections out there—K-Swiss, Asics, Wilson, New Balance and more—so you can actually compare styles, dial in what matters to you, and make a smarter call (instead of just grabbing whatever your local shop has left).

More options. Better decisions.

Find your next pair and get 15% off with code THEDINK.

11Six24 made headlines this year when news spread that their new paddle line, the Power 2, would carry UPA-A certification only (not USA Pickleball).

Then they signed pro Dekel Bar to show everyone they’re serious. And we’re starting to see why — the HexGrit surface texture on the Power 2 is no joke (we tested it ourselves).

Today the upstart brand is upping the ante even further, signing top pro and former MLP champion Augie Ge.

For anyone doing the math in the back, yes — Augie has been on team Proton for years. So the timing here is auspicious, to say the least, since the Flamingo he’s been repping for so long is now banned from pro play.

Seems like a win-win all around.

➡️ To learn more about all of that, check this out.

A review from the Dink Fam...

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