Good morning pickleballers!
The weekend is near - hang in there.
That also means the second World Pickleball Magazine must be hitting the shelves soon - on Monday, in fact. We will also be launching the official website as well - busy days ahead!
Joe James was busy himself yesterday, learning more about the WPF's visit to Poland to support Ukraine and their pickleball programme - read about that here.
And the rest of yesterday's news is broken down in today's PKLBulletin below.
Farnham's HOPP-ortunity: Pickleball and Padel Club Set to Ace the Community
Farnham, Surrey (UK) is set to welcome a new sports and social hub as the Hub of Pickleball and Padel (The HOPP) prepares to open its doors later this year. Spearheaded by accomplished pickleball players Sally Grace and Andre Strachan, The HOPP aims to provide a family-friendly venue for enthusiasts of all ages.
At a recent Farnham Sports Council meeting, Grace and Strachan presented their vision for the club, highlighting the rapid growth of pickleball worldwide and their desire to offer the local community a chance to participate. The positive response to the project has been overwhelming.
Farnham Sports Council chairman David Gill praised Grace and Strachan for their tireless efforts in developing the club. He emphasized the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles and recognized The HOPP as another valuable leisure amenity for Farnham and surrounding areas.
The new club will offer opportunities to experience both pickleball and padel. The HOPP is intended to be a family-friendly sports and social club for all ages.
Trafford Pickleball Club: A Tale of Two Teams in North West League
The Trafford Pickleball Club recently sent two teams to compete in the North West Clubs Team Pickleball League in Blackburn, with mixed results.
- The ‘A’ Team, composed of Ian Hodgkinson, Simon Smith, Tracey Peden, and Jill Griffiths, started strong. They secured a 3-1 victory against Haydock before losing to a strong South Lakes Team by the same score. They finished the day with a resounding 4-0 win over Markland Hill. Their performance secured them second place in their division, ensuring they remain in Division Three for the next round of games. Simon Smith and Tracey Peden were undefeated in mixed doubles.
- The ‘B’ Team, featuring Jeff Lawson, Anthony Knight, Dawn Holland, and Pauline Podmore, faced a more challenging day in Division Seven. They lost all three of their matches against South Lakes ‘B’, Fylde Coast ‘B’, and Southport. As a result, the ‘B’ Team will be relegated to Division Eight in the next competition.
The Trafford Pickleball Club is based at George Carnall Leisure Centre in Urmston and holds family pickleball drop-in sessions on Saturday mornings at 11 am. Booking is required, and no prior experience is necessary.
Sacramento APP Open: Golden Ticket to Nationals Up for Grabs
The 2025 APP Sacramento Open is set to deliver five days of high-stakes pickleball action at the Johnson Ranch Pickleball Complex in Roseville, California, from February 27 to March 2. As a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event, the tournament offers automatic qualification for gold medalists to the 2025 USAP National Championships.
Fans can anticipate fierce competition among amateur and professional players in various divisions, including the AARP Champions (50+) and Masters (60+) categories. Several top pros are on the hunt for historic milestones:
- Megan Fudge is within striking distance of tying the all-time APP Tour record for medals.
- Chris Haworth aims to clinch the top spot in men’s singles gold.
- Sofia Sewing seeks to continue her impressive season following her gold medal win in Daytona Beach.
- Will Howells will try to reclaim his men’s pro singles title from last year.
- Daria Walczak and Patrick Kawka are determined to upgrade last year's silver medal in mixed pro doubles to gold.
Live coverage will be available on APPTV via YouTube, with national television coverage on CBS Sports Network on March 3, 6, and 11. Tickets are available through SITickets.com
Agassi's Pickleball Revelation: Backhand is a Mirror Image of Tennis
Eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi has shared surprising insights on the two-handed backhand, revealing that the mechanics in pickleball are almost the opposite of those in tennis. According to Agassi, in tennis, the right hand generates power, while the left hand follows through. However, in pickleball, the left-hand drives the shot, allowing for better control and accuracy.
Agassi admitted he struggled with this adjustment initially. "The first time I hit a backhand in pickle, I’m like, I’m going, wow. Directionally, I’m struggling. It’s because I was trying to rip pulling right,” Agassi said. He turned to online resources to understand the mechanics, discovering that in pickleball, "the right goes for the right, and the left is really doesn’t work".
Agassi’s observations highlight the crucial technical differences players must consider when transitioning between tennis and pickleball. His insights can help players adapt their mechanics for better performance. This adjustment is essential for achieving better control and accuracy on the pickleball court.
Pickleball Mania Sweeps Mesa: Carvana Cup Shatters Attendance Records
The 2025 Carvana Mesa Cup presented by Proton has etched its name in pickleball history, boasting record-breaking attendance and ticket revenue. The six-day event drew an impressive 18,965 attendees to the Arizona Athletic Grounds, exceeding the average attendance of a regular-season NBA or NHL game.
The tournament's ticketing revenue also surpassed $300,000, marking it as the most financially successful Carvana PPA Tour event outside of the World Championships in Dallas. From Thursday through Sunday, all tickets were completely sold out.
Connor Pardoe, founder and CEO of the Carvana PPA Tour, hailed the event as one of the greatest pickleball events ever, noting the palpable energy from fans. Ben Worley, Director of Pickleball at the Arizona Athletic Grounds, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the event's unprecedented scale and expressing excitement for the PPA Tour's return in 2026.
Spectators witnessed thrilling matches featuring top players. This success underscores pickleball's surging popularity and the Carvana PPA Tour's ability to draw large, passionate crowds.
Dynamic Duo: Daescu and Johns Join Forces After Daescu Defeats Johns
In a surprising turn of events, Andrei Daescu and Ben Johns are set to team up for the first time at the upcoming Veolia Cape Coral Open presented by Proton. This partnership is particularly noteworthy as Daescu has recently bested Johns in men's doubles at tournaments in both Tucson and Mesa. Daescu partnered with Christian Alshon in those matches.
This marks the fourth consecutive tournament where Johns will have a different men’s doubles partner. While Johns recently partnered with Gabe Tardio and earned a silver medal at the Carvana Mesa Cup, they will not team up again until the CIBC Texas Open in mid-March.
The Daescu/Johns pairing presents a unique dynamic, as both players are typically left-side specialists. This means that one of them, likely Daescu, will need to adapt to playing on the right side. Despite the potential challenges, both players possess the skill to execute shots from any position on the court. Fans are eager to see if they can overcome challenges from other top pairings and claim gold.
AI to the Rescue: Cedars-Sinai Uses Artificial Intelligence to Combat Pickleball Injuries
As pickleball's popularity skyrockets, so do concerns about player injuries. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is stepping up to address this issue by using artificial intelligence to analyze pickleball injuries, according to the Conway Bulletin. Kathy Bailey, a principal data intelligence analyst, will discuss how AI improves data extraction and clinical research at the HIMSS25 conference.
With pickleball participation up over 200% in three years, injuries like fractures, sprains, and muscle strains from falls are also increasing. Cedars-Sinai is using AI to scan patient chart notes and identify pickleball-related cases, extracting key details such as injury type, severity, and date. According to Kathy Bailey, this AI-driven method is more effective than traditional approaches, correctly identifying 80% of cases in their sample.
The AI tool uses GPT-4 to pull specific data points from unstructured clinical notes. This speeds up the process and enhances accuracy while cutting down on operational costs. According to Bailey, AI can analyze thousands of charts far more quickly than manual review, making large-scale studies more feasible. By using AI, doctors and scientists can better understand injury trends and improve patient care.
Pickleball Takes India by Storm: Hyderabad Set to Host PWR World Tour
Hyderabad is gearing up to host the PWR World Tour on April 5-6, 2025, at the House of Sports in Suncity. This PWR Level 100 tournament, organized by House of Sports, is expected to draw competitive pickleball players from across the region, marking a significant step in the sport's growing popularity in India.
The event aims to provide a platform for players to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience in a competitive atmosphere. Tournaments like the PWR World Tour play a crucial role in expanding pickleball’s reach throughout India. The Hyderabad event will bring top talent together, strengthening the local pickleball community and building momentum for the sport nationwide.
This tournament joins the PWR World Tour Socials Open in Jaipur, scheduled for March 1-2, highlighting the increasing opportunities for players of all skill levels to compete. As pickleball gains traction across India, the Hyderabad event is poised to be a thrilling showcase of talent and a key milestone in the sport’s ongoing expansion.
Undercover Pros: Johnson and Khlif's Hilarious Senior Prank on Pickleball Rookies
JW Johnson and Noe Khlif recently pulled off a delightful prank at a local pickleball club in Arizona, transforming themselves into senior citizens with the help of Khlif’s life partner, Jen Rogers. Rogers documented the entire stunt and posted it on YouTube.
Rogers and a friend scoured a local Goodwill, selecting classic Hawaiian shirts, thick black sunglasses (described as post-cataract surgery eyewear), and a leafy polo and floppy hat. Rogers then spray-painted Johnson and Khlif's hair gray and added white pencil to their eyebrows to complete the believable oldies look.
The duo then found rookie players, rated around 4.5, at the Center Court Pickleball Club in Scottsdale, who didn't recognize them. Johnson and Khlif initially played with their non-dominant hands, waddling around to maintain their disguises. Despite the handicap, they didn't miss a ball. They then upped their game, showcasing beautiful drops, drives, and lobs.
After a fun game, Johnson and Khlif revealed their true identities as pro pickleball players. Their opponents were amazed and laughed it off, with one even calling it a dream to play against a pro. The prank was such a hit that Khlif and Rogers are considering a repeat performance.
MLP Shake-Up: Premier League Announces Multiple Waiver Periods
Major League Pickleball (MLP) is set to introduce significant changes to its Premier Level, announcing four waiver periods throughout the season. This is a shift from the initial plan of a single waiver period. These changes have the potential to shake up team rosters.
These waiver periods will occur after every second regular-season event:
- May 6 (after MLP Columbus)
- June 3 (after MLP Phoenix)
- July 1 (after MLP San Clemente)
- July 15 (after Mid-Season Tournament)
On the Monday following each of these events, teams must identify their top four players. The remaining players become available for other teams to pick up. However, to claim a player, a team must drop one of its previously protected players.
Unlike last year, waiver order will be determined by a Dutch Auction, with teams submitting financial bids of at least $1000. This opens the door for movement at the bottom of Premier level rosters, increasing competition among players. There is still only one Waiver Period for the Challenger level, scheduled for June 11.
MLP Auction Frenzy: Teams Gear Up for High-Stakes Bidding War to Fill Premier Rosters
As the 2025 MLP season approaches, Premier teams are preparing for an auction draft on March 2 to complete their rosters. With 16 Premier teams each needing to fill their rosters to six players—three men and three women—a bidding war is anticipated to secure top talent.
Currently, the 16 teams have 41 players signed, leaving 23 starting positions to be filled. The auction will involve teams bidding on draft slots, with the highest bid winning the slot, starting with the first pick. The minimum bid is $10,000, which goes to the league and is separate from player salaries.
Several teams are expected to be major players in the auction:
- Atlanta Bouncers: May aim high for women like Callie Smith, Viv David, Kate Fahey, or Lea Jansen.
- Carolina Pickleball Club: May target one of the "big four" women or consider a trade with a Challenger team.
- Columbus Sliders: Could challenge for a playoff spot if they successfully pick up a second top-tier woman.
- DC Pickleball Club and Dallas Flash: Both teams are looking to add a top man, with Riley Newman, James Ignatowich, Augie Ge, Quang Duong, and Noe Khlif as potential targets.
- St. Louis Shock: Likely to bid high for Kate Fahey.
- Texas Ranchers: Expected to pursue one of the top five men, with a focus on Newman to pair with Alshon.
The competition is especially fierce for top female players like Kate Fahey, with teams like St. Louis, Carolina, New Jersey, and Orlando potentially bidding high. This auction is critical for teams aiming to contend for a championship.
Jaipur Gears Up for Pickleball Fever: PWR World Tour Socials Open Beckons Players of All Levels
Jaipur, Rajasthan, is set to host the PWR World Tour Socials Open from March 1 to March 2, 2025. Organized by Asmi Sapra, this pickleball tournament welcomes players of all skill levels, promising a diverse and exciting competition.
The tournament features multiple categories to accommodate a wide range of players:
- PRO Open Categories (19+ Open): Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
- 35+ Age Division: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, and Women’s Doubles.
- Intermediate DUPR < 3.99: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, and Women’s Doubles.
With an entry fee of just 50 INR, the event aims to promote the sport and provide a platform for both seasoned and emerging players to showcase their skills. The matches will take place at WQVF+3FW, Sikar Rd, Ambabari, Vidyadhar Nagar, drawing local and regional talent together. As Jaipur prepares for this exhilarating competition, the PWR World Tour Socials Open is set to highlight pickleball's growing popularity in India and complements the PWR World Tour event in Hyderabad.
The Picklr's Grand Slam: Indoor Pickleball Franchise Eyes Global Domination
The Picklr, a rapidly expanding indoor pickleball franchise, has set its sights on global expansion after establishing a strong presence in the United States and Canada. With 31 clubs across seven states and a recently secured Canadian lease in Winnipeg, the company is partnering with JLL to identify franchise locations and propel the sport's growth on a worldwide scale.
Founded by former tech worker and ping-pong enthusiast Jorge Barragan and his friend Austin Wood, The Picklr distinguishes itself by focusing solely on pickleball. Unlike competitors that combine pickleball with dining and entertainment, The Picklr offers league play, junior academies, and adult clinics, with limited food and beverage options.
With nearly 500 leases secured, The Picklr plans to establish 65 locations in Canada as part of its long-term strategy for global expansion. JLL senior managing director David Nixon expressed enthusiasm about partnering with The Picklr to grow the sport of pickleball on a global scale. The Picklr's Chief Development Officer, Chris Walker, stated that they have nationwide aspirations and are moving fast.