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For many of us, pickleball is meant to be a refuge, an escape from life’s many worries and distractions. But sometimes, it’s not that easy to clear our heads and focus on putting our best foot forward.

Anna Bright feels this pain, too. As she fights for a podium spot halfway around the world at PPA Malaysia, she took a few minutes to compile her top tips for finding mental clarity on game day, just for us. Eighty medals (and counting) say she’s probably an authority on the subject, so listen up.

In This Issue:
— DUPR adds new ‘Forecast’ feature
— PPA quietly signs top juniors to pro contracts
— The pickleball tournament just for seniors

Get focused.

If you live in or near Austin, TX, your weekends plans are set. Our Courted social pickleball event series heads to Urban Pickleball Club tomorrow from 4-8pm. Live DJ. Free food. And lots of fun, casual pickleball for all. Snag your tickets now — use code DINKFAM for a special discount, on us.

During a press stop in Malaysia, Ben Johns sat down with Stadium Astro’s Michelle Lee to talk about his pickleball journey. When asked if he has any on-court superstitions, he offered this: “The more prepared I am, the more lucky I seem to be.”

DUPR is trying to take the guesswork out of their new algorithm update, in part with its new Forecast feature. Now, you can see how a match is expected to play out based on player ratings. Outperform the forecast? Your DUPR goes up. But underperform, and you’ll take a hit. See how it works.

Action is underway at the PPA Vintage Open in Sacramento and already some results are turning heads, like #1 seed Hunter Johnson falling to Jay Devilliers in three games. While the wooden paddle is giving some players fits, there’s a different type of fit we’re vibing with — behold: Jack Sock, circa 1970…

Anna Bright is back with another pearl of pickleball strategy wisdom, this time focusing on how she clears her mind and gets locked in before a match.

Here are her three Dink-exclusive tips for finding mental clarity on tournament day:

✅ Trust your preparation. “Accept that you did your best and that you have put yourself in the best position you could. Don’t let ‘would’ve, could’ve, should’ve’ hold you back before your day has even begun!”

✅ Get your mind off of pickleball. “I really like to go on excursions or do other things when I don’t play until the afternoon. I find it relaxes me and provides an outlet. Even if it’s just going to a coffee shop you love, I think getting your mind off of the impending competition for even a little bit is hugely beneficial.”

✅ Consider meditation. “I have begun meditating and doing a lot of yoga this year and to say it has helped me would be a drastic understatement. My mental clarity is better, my focus is better, and my ability to calm myself is so much better.”

We all experience pre-match jitters. “Calming your nerves and setting yourself up to compete is all about finding ways to mitigate them,” says Anna.

➡️ Anna goes more in-depth in her article. Give it a read.

When we dropped Hayden Patriquin’s Capsule Collection in the newsletter last week, you guys went nuts for it.

The C45° paddle? Gone. But the signature flex hat and off-court tee? Still available. If you’re a Big H fan (and we know you are), this is your chance to rep it on and off the court.

➡️ Grab your Big H gear while you can.

Pickleball keeps pulling in new players of all ages, but there’s something special about the 50+ crowd. They don’t just show up to play, they bring decades of grit, wit, and community spirit to the court.

That’s exactly why US Senior Pickleball (USSP) exists: a tournament series created by seniors, for seniors.

This December, the organization is setting the stage for its biggest event yet: The 2025 US Senior Pickleball National Championship at Pictona in Holly Hill, FL, from December 5–8.

Last year’s event was held in Arizona and drew 629 players from 32 states and Canada. This year? Expect north of 850-1000 competitors. And because of the round-robin format, everyone gets meaningful matches — no flying across the country only to be bounced after two games.

If you’re a senior player, this is the one tournament that’s truly built with you in mind.

➡️ Want in? Here’s everything you need to know.

Pickleball content creator Sydney Steinaker is throwing “the biggest party in pickleball history.” Tonight. In a warehouse in Los Angeles.

Why? Because she wants to.

But also, she told The Dink, because “pickleball doesn’t need to be proper or country-club only. The beauty of the sport is that it can be played anywhere, and it’s for everyone. Why not bring it to spaces that feel alive, gritty, and iconic?”

Project P, as she’s calling it, will feature supercars, pink pickleball courts (BYOP: bring your own paddle), and a Project X–inspired EDM rave out in the parking lot.

“This night is about celebrating the fact that pickleball lets us do crazy sh*t like this,” she says, “for the plot, for the vibes, and for the pickleball history books.”

We’re going to sit this one out, but there’s still time to get on the list. If you go, be safe, have fun, and report back. Pics or it didn’t happen.

Mental health challenges are a normal part of life, and so is asking for help.

With BetterHelp, you can match with a therapist easily, message anytime, and get the convenience of therapy that’s 100% online.

➡️ Get Started with 25% off Your First Month

Over the past couple weeks, the PPA has quietly signed a handful of the top-ranked male and female junior prospects, including up-and-comers Cam Chaffin, Tama Shimabukuro, and Elsie Hendershot, the 12-year-old sensation (pictured above) who won the 12U singles division at last year’s Junior PPA Finals.

The developmental contracts will pit the kids up against top pros in PPA main draws while also giving them the flexibility to compete in other events like PPA Juniors and PPA Challengers, and even their high school or college competitions.

"If you look at our stars today — players like Gabe Tardio, Hayden Patriquin, Jorja Johnson, JW Johnson, Dylan Frazier and Anna Leigh Waters — they all started out as teenagers with us," PPA Tour Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel Chris Patrick told us. "It only makes sense that the next generation of PPA Tour stars will be kids who are growing up in the sport.”

This next crop of talent might not be household names just yet – they range in ages from 12 to 15 – but they're getting their shot to change that, beginning now. And they’re up for the challenge.

"This was obviously a huge decision for Elsie and our family," Elsie’s dad, Kade, told The Dink. “We are extremely excited about this unique opportunity for Elsie to become a signed pro, while still having the flexibility to be a 12 year old.”

➡️ Read the full article.

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