The Nike Dink Award Winners are...

plus a huge player signing comes from a surprising paddle brand.

January 20, 2025

In partnership with

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day Dink Fam. We’ve got a stacked issue for you today. Not only is today a holiday, but it’s also time to announce the winners of The Nike Dink Awards.

One hot-button topic over the weekend was the ban and subsequent reversal of TikTok. We’d hate to deprive you of any pickleball news and tips on any platform so give @thedinkpickleball a follow while you’re downloading the app.

In This Issue:

🔍 Strategies to face the world’s best
🏆 Winners of Nike Dink Awards Announced
🏝️ Results from APP Fort Lauderdale

Let’s do this.

Our Picks ☝️

✍️ Signings: Federico Staksrud Partners with adidas

A significant move by adidas as they sign Federico Staksrud, newly crowned world no. 1 in both men's doubles and singles. The Argentinian has dominated the ranks of the PPA Tour and is set to collaborate with adidas on designing a signature paddle that is set for release in April 2025.

🗄️ Family Division: Andy Murray & His Mom Disagree on Pickleball

After the two-time Wimbledon champion called pickleball “annoying” and a “cop-out”, it’s come to light that the feeling isn’t mutual across the family. Turns out, Murray’s mom is both a qualified coach and advocate of the sport. Should make for interesting dinner conversation.

🎒 Bag Guide: Need Help Choosing a Pickleball Bag?

Part of your journey as a pickleball player includes graduating from a casual gym bag or grocery bag to a legit pickleball bag. We tried and tested the top 20 bags on the pickleball market, so we’ve got the info you need.

🎙️ Rules: New Updates for PPA Qualifiers

New guidelines from the PPA announced that players competing in their new qualifiers tour will be required to sign a Touring Professional Player Agreement before they can compete in the main PPA draws.

How Would You Beat the World’s Best

If you ever find yourself across the net from Ben Johns, run. If running is not an option, then you’re in for a rough afternoon.

Playing against the world’s best can seem hopeless, but on last week’s PicklePod, Collin Johns explained the two strategies he would use to combat the new Ben Johns/Gabe Tardio juggernaut duo.

1) Going at the GOAT - Collin reminded our listeners that Ben’s backhand flick is the best in the game. Off the bounce, however, he is not as dangerous. Collin thinks teams will dink to Ben’s side more often this year making sure to keep the ball out of reach of the flick volley.

2) Divorce Ball - The best way to turn partners against each other is with shots down the middle. As with any new partnership, there will be a learning curve for Ben and Gabe to decide who takes what balls on middle balls. Forcing a tough decision to be made over and over again is a great way to steal a couple of critical points.

Collin always dives deep into the strategy talk. Listen to him explain the strategies for himself and hear all about what he is adding to his game to become more of a threat.

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Nike Dink Awards Results: Player Categories

The fans have spoken. In fact, 13,000 of you have spoken! That's more than double the votes we received last year. Thank you to all who voted and for keeping The Nike Dink Awards the official people's choice awards for pickleball.

Today, we’re announcing the winners of our main pro-player categories:

  • Go Next Level — Men's Player of The Year: Ben Johns

  • Go Next Level — Women's Player of The Year: Anna Leigh Waters

  • Men's Senior Player of the Year: Steve Deakin

  • Women’s Senior Player of the Year: Lee Whitwell

  • Men’s Most Improved Player: Gabe Tardio

  • Women's Most Improved Player: Hurricane Tyra Black

  • Rising Star — Next Gem: Jack Munro

  • Upset of The Year: Daescu & Bright Upset Waters & Johns

This Wednesday, we’re announcing the winner of best on-air personality, as well as top YouTube and Instagram creators (who will receive a $1k production grant). Click the link below to see the full vote breakdown from today’s categories.

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

Double Golds at APP Fort Lauderdale

The APP showed off their new global headquarters, The Fort, with the Fort Lauderdale Open over the weekend. After bringing home the men's singles title, Chris Haworth had this to say about The Fort, "This is the nicest pickleball facility I’ve ever been to."

Lonely at the Top
Jill Braverman and Megan Fudge each won double gold in Fort Lauderdale. They paired up for the women's doubles title, Fudge secured the women's singles title, and Braverman teamed up with Will Howells for mixed doubles gold.

Make it a Double
Will Howells also made it a double on Sunday. He and Jack Munro, closed out Erik Lange/Max Manthou in the finals 11-8, 6-11, 11-3.

The Streak Begins
Chris Haworth was dominant in men's singles last year. He is one-for-one so far in 2025, how many titles can he string together in 2025?

Find a full recap on our website and re-watch the five gold medal matches on CBS Sports Network on Jan. 27, 28 and 31, and Feb. 2, all at 6 pm ET.

APP Fort Lauderdale Results

Why Your Last Game Slipped Away

Ever wondered why your paddle starts to slip during a hands battle? Might be time for a grip swap, and not just any grip—think Exo Grip. Here’s the lowdown on how to give your paddle a fresh feel:

Strip off that old, grimy layer and give the handle a good wipe—out with the old stickiness, in with the new. Grab an Exo Grip and start at the base. Keep the wrap tight as you spiral to the top, overlapping slightly to customize that cushion. Snip the excess, slap on the finishing tape, and voila—like new.

Why Exo Grip? Because they get it. Their grips are made for the sweat and drama of serious pickleball—moisture-wicking for those intense games and super tacky for solid control. They're not just grips; they enhance your play.

MLP Owners Meet this Week to Set Direction of League

Major League Pickleball (MLP) is set to finalize key aspects of its 2025 season during owners' meetings on January 20-21 in Dallas.

Confirmed decisions include the requirement for each team to drop at least one player from their roster and the stipulation that players acquired after the initial 2024 draft cannot be retained. Additionally, teams wishing to keep a player must pay MLP half of that player's 2024 draft points in dollars.

Unresolved issues to be discussed encompass potential changes to roster sizes, with rumors suggesting an increase from four to six players, and the financial strategies of teams, which vary based on ownership resources and long-term goals.

Another significant point is whether unsigned UPA players will be permitted to participate in the 2025 season, as previous policies allowed their inclusion for a fee. The outcomes of these discussions are anticipated to provide much-needed clarity and shape the strategies teams will employ in the upcoming season.

Read our full breakdown on the discussions.

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