^{Advertise | The Dink Home | Shop Gear | Subscribe}

Zane Navratil has some big news. And for once, it's not another spicy take on the state of pro pickleball.

This week's PicklePod delivered the usual mix of hot takes, friendly fire, and PPA Worlds drama. But Zane also dropped an announcement that’s sure to put the pickleball world on notice. Let's just say things are about to look a little different around here.

In This Issue:
— Andre Agassi meets the Grateful Dead
— 3 tennis habits ruining your pickleball game
— 5 new paddles pushing performance limits

Things are getting interesting.

Greg Dow recently sat down with top pro Gabe Tardio for a quick little peek behind the curtain at what makes him so elite. His response is shockingly simple: Wall drills. Lots and lots of wall drills.

One Redditor says he's getting yelled at for playing too well and crushing opponents 11-1. His crime? Hitting hard, winning points, and refusing to dial it back. The comments weren't exactly sympathetic. Should better players take their foot off the gas, or is open play fair game? Reddit has thoughts.

PPA Worlds gave us plenty to unpack. Zane and Nico debate who's playing the best men's pickleball, whether Ben Johns' lefty forehand is genius or trolling, and who's got a shot at dethroning Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright. Plus, questionable line calls, heated score disputes, and a comeback for the ages. Tune in here.

If your backhand dink keeps finding the net or floating up for an easy putaway, your paddle tip might be the culprit. The fix? Get it lower, brush up the ball, and let topspin do the heavy lifting. Here are 7 simple adjustments to turn your weakest dink into a legitimate weapon.

Dear tennis converts: We love having you here. But some of those hard-earned tennis habits? They're doing you dirty.

That monster forehand, oversized backswing, and urge to crush every ball might impress your old doubles partner. On a pickleball court, these habits are often a recipe for disaster.

The good news? You've already got a head start. You just need to unlearn a few things.

From dialing back the power to embracing the soft game, here's how to stop playing tennis with a paddle and start playing better pickleball.

➡️ Former tennis standout Eric Roddy shows you the light.

What’s in Grayson Goldin’s shoes?

Not stock foam. VKTRY insoles.

Most players upgrade their paddle, and then their shoes. But their insoles?

Each pair of VKTRY insoles has a carbon fiber baseplate matched to your height, weight and sport, with foam on top for comfort.

120-day money-back guarantee if you don’t feel the difference. And right now, they’re $99 instead of $149.

Get like Grayson in a pair of your own.

Well, this is awkward. After nearly five years of hot takes, questionable predictions, and plenty of friendly fire, Zane Navratil is officially leaving the PicklePod.

Zane broke the news on this week's episode, announcing that next week's show will be his last. He's moving on to new ventures, with more details expected during next week's farewell episode.

Co-host Nico the Lefty took the news gracefully. Just kidding. He declared Zane "public enemy number one" and jokingly blamed the breakup on him.

The good news? The PicklePod isn't going anywhere. The bad news? Nico now needs a new sparring partner.

➡️ Catch the full episode here.

What a long, strange dink it's been.

Andre Agassi's sports company has struck a licensing deal to bring Grateful Dead-branded pickleball and padel gear to market. Think dancing bears, the iconic Stealie logo, and potentially everything from paddles to apparel.

"I've always believed the best brands aren't manufactured, they're earned," Agassi said.

His reasoning? Pickleball is about more than competition: "people want more than a sport, they want a scene, a community."

The collection is expected to roll out in mid-2027. Pricing and specific products are still TBD.

Deadheads, your kitchen era is approaching.

➡️ Get the full story.

Warping Point’s Neon Gen 3 paddle gives you control without the price tag.

Carbon fiber face. Honeycomb core. Foam-reinforced edges for steadier hits.

A big sweet spot, a 5.5" handle for two-handed backhands, and consistent spin from the raw carbon surface.

UPA-A approved and right at $100.

Shop the Neon.

Remember when choosing a paddle meant picking between power and control? Yeah, those days are numbered.

The latest batch of performance paddles is bringing serious heat, spin, and touch to the court. And a few clever engineering tricks, too.

Five fresh faces worth knowing:

Different shapes, different technologies, different price tags. One common goal: helping you hit better shots more often.

Whether you're a baseline bomber or a kitchen surgeon, there's something here worth a closer look.

➡️ Take a closer look.

A review from The Dink Fam...

Share the best newsletter in pickleball with your friends and you'll get free stuff. What's not to like?

{{rp_personalized_text}}

Copy & Paste this link: {{rp_refer_url}}

{{rp_next_milestone_image_styles}}

{{rp_display_with_milestone_styles}}

If your company is interested in reaching an audience of active pickleballers, you may want to give us a shout.