Nothing says Thanksgiving like good food, the company of family, and the nagging sensation that you’d probably rather be on the pickleball court.
Until then, we’re here to help. This week’s PicklePod catches you up on all the latest news and headlines. And our Black Friday paddle deals should get you through a little much-needed retail therapy.
In This Issue:
— Nick Kyrgios is Stack’s new creative director
— Drawing the line on poor sportsmanship
— Why counters are the new speed-ups
Thankful for you.
Our Picks 👆
🔥 100-Shot Rally: Anna Leigh and Ben Grind it Out
At PPA Lakeland, Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters endured a 100-shot rally on their way to winning gold against JW and Jorja Johnson. The shootout lasted 94 seconds, says PPA Tour Statistician Jim Ramsey, and featured 36 cross-court dinks from ALW alone.
🏝️ Coming Soon: Social Pickleball Hits Miami
Our Courted social pickleball series has brought the heat to NYC, Chicago, and Austin. On December 13, it’s Miami’s turn. Come meet new people and get a few games in. Low stress, high vibes. It’s all fun in the sun. Grab your tix now.
🚨 Pickleball Fans: A New Place to Nerd Out
On this week’s PicklePod, Zane dropped a hidden gem: he started a subreddit called Pro Pickleball Talk, a new forum to discuss, debate, and geek out over all things pro pickleball. Don’t walk, run. We’ll see you in there.
⚖️ Yay or Nay: Walking Off a Rec League Court?
Speaking of Reddit, where do you stand on this trending debate: Is it ever OK to walk off a rec league court due to poor sportsmanship? There are hundreds of comments, and the sentiment is fairly split. Some say that’s just part of sports; others argue there’s such a thing as crossing the line.
Are Counters the New Speed-Ups?
Faster paddles. Faster balls. Faster hands.
In a lot of ways, counters have become the new speed-ups: if you get good enough to know an offensive attack is coming, your ensuing shot could dictate the rally, or end it before it begins.
The trick, of course, is perfecting the art of anticipation. To do this effectively, says pro Michael Loyd, it’s time you learned the "two-thing rule."
Here it is. Are you ready? At any given moment, you should only be concerned about the two most likely shots your opponent can hit. That's it.
Percentages matter more than anything else. Your court and paddle positioning simply changes based on where the ball is coming from.
If the ball is directly in front of you, your primary concern is your body, and your secondary concern is the line
If the ball shifts wider, your priorities flip: now you're focused on the line first, body second
And if the ball moves to the middle, you've got shared middle responsibility with your partner
You're not trying to hit winners or make highlight-reel plays. You're trying to understand what your opponent can realistically do and position yourself to cover the most likely options.
Only when an opponent has proven they can consistently beat the percentages should you switch your strategy to focus on their tendencies.
Help Your Body Bounce Back
If there’s one thing we’ve learned running The Dink MiLP events, it’s that pickleballers go hard. Early mornings, late nights, too many games in between.
Protein is great. Hydration is great. But recovery? That’s where most of us fall apart.
A lot of players we know use cannabis as part of their recovery routine and honestly, it makes sense. Trulieve has a lineup of plant-based products built exactly for this. Balance, relief, soreness, sleep, however you need to reset after a grind of a tournament weekend.
Whether you’re experienced or just curious, their associates can point you to what fits your routine. You can learn more at trulieve.com
If Ben & ALW Were Forced to Split…
Looking to dominate pickleball water cooler chat during Thanksgiving dinner?
Zane Navratil and Erik Tice have you covered. In the latest PicklePod, the two sound off on an array of topics. A few of the many highlights:
The City of Carmel, CA, is banning public outdoor pickleball outright (but you knew that already, right?)
The guys build their perfect female pickleball player based on 11 critical skills — Tice won the men’s round; can Zane bounce back?
The biggest story from USAP Nationals? The hook heard ‘round the world
If Ben and ALW were forced to split in 2026, who would win more mixed-doubles gold medals?
We’ll let you stew on that last one yourself. The guys predict that Ben would partner with Anna Bright but ALW’s new guy could go a few different directions. Hayden Patriquin? Andrei Daescu? Christian Alshon? We may never get to find out, but it makes for a lively debate.
Nick Kyrgios Joins Stack as Creative Director
Nick Kyrgios has had a fiery and at times controversial pro tennis career, but one thing is undeniable: the dude’s freakish athleticism is matched only by his effortless swagger.
Now, he’s bringing that vibe, and a refreshingly bold worldview, to the pickleball industry, joining apparel brand Stack Athletics as an owner and creative director.
“Tennis has its traditions — I’ve never cared about fitting into them,” he said, adding, “Stack represents everything I stand for—making noise and pushing boundaries. If it doesn’t make people feel something, I’m not interested.”
Kyrgios is on the ownership team of the Miami Pickleball Club and hosts a pickleball reality show on OnlyFans TV called "Smash City." Next month, he’ll face Aryna Sabalenka in a high-profile Battle of the Sexes tennis exhibition in Dubai.
“Nick is a massive addition to our team, bringing a style and attitude to help drive our company forward,” said Stack President Jeremy Nef. “He’s confident, a bit rebellious and willing to break the mold — just what our industry needs.”
Kyrgios’ role became official on November 20, 2025. He’ll debut a capsule collection in spring 2026.
10 Grams of Protein That Won’t Slow You Down
If your group chat is 50% DUPR screenshots and 50% gym memes, this one’s for you.
You’re trying to build or at least keep the muscle you have, but most “high-protein snacks” are just sugar and vibes.
Maui Nui’s venison sticks are 10 grams of protein, 55 calories, no MSG, nitrates, or weird fillers. Just wild Axis deer from Maui, harvested in a way that’s better for the animal, better for the island, and better for your macros.
Our go to is the peppered for that savory kick and the Dink fam can grab a free 12 pack of jerky sticks with any first order of $79 or more at mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK.
Retail Therapy, But Make it Pickleball
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a time for family, food, and a little reckless consumerism.
Honestly, we’re here for it. At least when it comes to copping a fresh new pickleball paddle or two.
Once the last aunt has left and the dirty dishes are dealt with, it may be time for a touch of retail therapy.
We can help with that. Here’s The Dink’s top Black Friday pickleball paddle deals featuring brands we know and love, like Selkirk, JOOLA, RPM, CRBN, Ronbus, Pickleball Apes, and more (we’ve got one for shoes, too, while you’re at it).
So polish off that piece of pie and get your head back in the game. A new paddle won’t make you better overnight, but it certainly won’t make you worse.
Headlines & Quick Hits
Here’s What Pickleball Pros Are Hiding in Their Shoes
The Simple Guide for Transition Zone Paddle Positioning
The Hottest Pickleball Social Mixer Is Coming to Miami
Highlights
Cooking Boomers…with a literal frying pan
That’s one way to use a pickleball court
Match-point chaos & massive prize money
Missed a recent issue? We've got you covered
A review from the Dink Fam...
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