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Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson were 25-0 in women’s doubles heading into yesterday’s MLP Mid-Season Tournament final. Then they stepped onto the court with Anna Bright and Kate Fahey.

What happened next sent shockwaves through MLP. Not only did the 5s women lose badly (11-6), their team was swept in dominant fashion, with ALW losing both of her games in the rout. We break down the winning strategy below.

In This Issue:
— Gabe and Hayden bust a move
— The strategy that beat Anna Leigh
— Florida’s $55M pickleball mansion

Here for the vibes.

For the most part, stock paddle grips are pretty much trash. Too squishy. Slippery with even a drop of sweat. Over-grips are ubiquitous for a reason. If you’ve ever wondered how to properly apply one, let Louis from Pickleball Pursuit masterfully show you the way.

The MLP trade deadline has been extended from today to next Monday, July 20. That gives the league’s 20 teams a bit more time to wheel and deal in the back half of the season. A few teams are already making moves.

Now that the facility gold rush is over and facilities need to fill their gleaming new spaces, one industry expert sees two paths ahead: a great rollup full of mergers and acquisitions, or a deeper bet on community and experience. Both will happen at scale. Ultimately, the consumer will dictate who wins.

There’s nobody in pro pickleball having more fun than Gabe Tardio and Hayden Patriquin right now. The nearly unstoppable duo just claimed another Mid-Season Tournament victory. And busted out a little on-court shimmy to celebrate.

It’s one thing to plan to avoid the best player on earth, it’s another thing entirely to pull it off.

In yesterday’s Mid-Season Tournament final between the New Jersey 5s and St. Louis Shock, that exact game-plan was put on display for the pickleball world to see — and executed flawlessly.

The Shock swept the 5s thanks largely to an approach that many have tried but few have been able to sustain for an entire game: Just don’t hit the darn ball to Anna Leigh Waters.

Like, at all. Simply refuse to let her play.

Pro coach and commentator Matt Manasse summed it up perfectly:

Take this into your next Money Ball or league match. While it’s considered taboo at times to pick on the weaker player in rec or open play, in a competitive setting, it’s often the smart strategy.

But you have to stick with it the entire game for it to have a shot of paying off. All too often, teams try to avoid ALW, get frustrated by her superhuman court coverage and ball-striking ability, and abandon all strategy (and hope) in the process.

No. Anna Bright and Kate Fahey wiped the court with Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson (handing them their first MLP women’s doubles loss in the process) because they put all egos aside and committed to beating the team across from them instead of letting them take control.

Sometimes, even the best players in the world know when they’re the underdog. If you can’t beat ALW, don’t let her play.

Same goes for Larry or Susan or whomever continues to get the best of you.

➡️ See the game-winning strategy in action.

Six Zero doesn't do limited editions often. When they do, they mean it: no restocks, no second run, gone is gone.

The Coral Rainbow is that drop. It's the Coral platform: foam core, Diamond Tough surface, the all-court paddle that replaced the Double Black Diamond in a lot of bags.

The Coral Rainbow Collection drops today at 6PM ET in two versions: Coral Rainbow (USAP) and Coral Rainbow Pro (UPA).

Same popular paddle, one colorway, one shot.

Join the drop list and secure your Coral Rainbow.

Huge congrats to the St. Louis Shock, who swept the New Jersey 5s in three games to take gold and the 10 standings points from this year’s MLP Mid-Season Tournament.

It was a commanding victory. A shockwave through the league, if you will.

What’s the big deal, you wonder? Why all the hoopla when it’s the result so many expected anyway?

Well, last year was different: Anna Leigh Waters wasn’t playing alongside Jorja Freaking Johnson.

Here’s how it all shook out:

🥇 St. Louis Shock (10 standings points)
🥈 New Jersey 5s (6 standings points)
🥉 Columbus Sliders (4 standings points)
🏅 LA Mad Drops

The Shock are once again looking like the team to beat this year. But can they take this momentum all the way through the finals to claim their first MLP title?

Those are the headline. But there were lots of other incredible storylines from another banner event in Grand Rapids, MI, including one very bloody face, a reigning champ taking bronze in an upset, and some inspired play from one collegiate player in particular.

➡️ We round up our favorites, and recap the whole event, right here.

We’re all for being frugal. But if you’re still using an old grocery bag to lug your paddles, shoes, water bottles, and balls to and from the court, it might be time for an upgrade.

The good news: there are tons of great pickleball-specific bags on the market these days that fit any budget — and all your on-court essentials to boot.

We rounded up a few backpacks we’re loving right now. Save the paper and plastic for the grocery store and have a look, would you?

➡️ Time for an upgrade.

Look down at the court. There's a good chance that ball is a Franklin X-40.

It’s the official ball of USA Pickleball, the APP Tour, and the US Open.

One solid piece, 40 machine-drilled holes, same flight every time. It's on most every court you've played on for a reason.

Grab a fresh pack of X-40s today.

It's always fun to suspend reality and spend a few minutes seeing how the other half lives.

Then there's Ember House.

The ultra-modern Fort Lauderdale mansion is reportedly asking $55 million, making it the highest-priced new home ever in the area.

Not surprisingly, amenities positively abound. Sure, there are stunning chef’s kitchens and luxurious multi-car garages. Wine fridges spanning entire rooms. And a "coffee bar" larger than most New York City apartments.

But we know what you all came here for. Wade through all the opulence of the 15,000-square-foot, six-bedroom property and make your way to the roof and you'll be met with a stunning pickleball court.

Because why not. Honestly, we'd probably never leave.

➡️ See the photos.

A review from the Dink Fam...

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