Good morning pickleballers!
There's a lot to get through this Tuesday morning so we shall jump straight to it.
Joe James went deeper into the 'Ryder Cup'-style tournament that was held in India a few days ago and delivered his verdict - find out what he said here.
You can get all your pickleball news from the last 24 hours in today's World Pickleball Report below.
£7,900 Boost for Burnley Pickleball! Sport England Backs North-West Growth
Burnley Pickleball Club has received a significant boost with a £7,900 grant from Sport England. This funding recognizes the hard work of the club's volunteer committee in developing pickleball in the north-west of England. The grant application was supported by Pickleball England through Regional Development Officer Elaine Shallcross. This award comes shortly after pickleball was officially recognized as a sport in the country. Burnley Pickleball Club aims to use this grant to introduce at least 120 new players to the game over the next year. They will invest in equipment, including nets, and support experienced players in gaining leadership and coaching qualifications. The club also intends to increase the number of sessions offered across various venues and promote these opportunities through traditional and new media. Club treasurer Bryan Youlden, who prepared the successful bid, expressed his delight that Sport England supports their initiative to get more people active in pickleball in Burnley and the surrounding area. He emphasized the club's aim to grow this fun and accessible sport across all groups, welcoming newcomers while also supporting the development of existing players.
Greenville Greets Baseline GVL: 16 Indoor Pickleball Courts Coming Soon!
Pickleball's popularity continues its upward trajectory with the announcement of Baseline GVL, a new indoor pickleball facility set to open in Greenville, USA. Located on Haywood Road, the state-of-the-art facility will feature 16 temperature-controlled courts, providing a year-round playing environment for both recreational and competitive players. Baseline GVL aims to enhance the local pickleball experience by offering a variety of amenities, including ball machines for rent, lessons and sports leagues for all skill levels, and membership and pay-to-play options. Players can also expect complimentary coffee and a pro shop stocked with top paddle brands. Construction of the facility is expected to begin on April 10. This development marks a significant step for the growing pickleball community in Greenville, offering a premier space for training, competition, and social connections as indoor courts become increasingly sought after.
Baytown Hero: Pickleball Match Turns Life-Saving Event for Retired EMT
A friendly pickleball match at the Baytown Community Center, USA took an unexpected turn when Robyne Gold, a retired ExxonMobil first responder and longtime EMT, saved a fellow player's life. During a game, another player, Randy, collapsed. Gold, who only took up pickleball last year but plays frequently, immediately recognized the severity of the situation—Randy had no pulse and wasn't breathing. She quickly initiated chest compressions and called for an automated external defibrillator (AED). Fortunately, Gold and a friend had located the AED at the centre just a month prior. With the help of another player, Tom, who stabilized Randy’s airway, they used the AED which delivered a shock. Shortly after, Randy showed signs of life. Paramedics arrived and transported him to the hospital, where he made a remarkable recovery, even joking with Gold later. Gold, despite being hailed a hero, humbly emphasized the critical role of CPR and AED training in saving lives.
Junior Pickleball Powerhouse: Maguire & Greiner Dominate Cape Coral U14 Finals
Caroline Maguire and MJ Greiner delivered a dominant performance in the Junior Mixed Doubles U14 final at the 2025 Veolia Cape Coral Open. They defeated Grace K and MJ Marrero in straight games, 11-3, 11-4, to capture the gold medal. From the outset, Maguire and Greiner controlled the match with sharp shot placement and quick reflexes. Their aggressive net game and well-timed dinks kept their opponents on the defensive. While Grace and Marrero fought to regain momentum in the second game, Maguire and Greiner remained composed and secured the championship title. This victory highlights the rising level of skill among young athletes in pickleball's junior divisions and demonstrates Maguire and Greiner’s potential as future stars on the PPA Tour.
DUPR & TTC Team Up: Southern California Gets First Official Pickleball Rating Center
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) has partnered with TTC Clubs to establish Southern California’s first official DUPR Assessment Center. This collaboration aims to provide pickleball players of all skill levels with a structured, technology-driven approach to skill assessment and rating. TTC’s facilities in Newport Beach and Southern Orange County will now serve as a hub for DUPR Coach-Assigned Ratings, offering players accurate ratings, expert coaching, and level-appropriate competition. Through this partnership, TTC will introduce various DUPR-powered player development programs, including DUPR Coach Technology for tracking player progress. Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR, hailed the partnership as a "major step forward" in making accurate ratings more accessible. Sean Bollettieri, Founder of TTC, praised DUPR as the "gold standard" for pickleball ratings. A DUPR launch event is scheduled for April 2025.
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You like reading about pickleball if you have got this far.
So have you seen the latest issue of the World Pickleball Magazine?
In issue #2, we go behind the scenes at the World Pickleball League which was held last month in India - six teams went head-to-head in the biggest pickleball show on Earth to date, over 10m people watching it on TV. We have exclusive interviews with the people who made it happen - founders, owners, coaches, players and commentators.
The World Pickleball Magazine also brings you all the news from the previous month, stories from Europe, APAC, Africa and more, a future star to watch out for, our pioneers section and a whole chunk of the magazine dedicated to drills and bits to improve your game.
Download your digital copy for just £5 today by clicking below.
U16 Thriller: Francesca R & Ethan M Clinch Cape Coral Bronze in Nail-Biter
In a tightly contested match at the 2025 Veolia Cape Coral Open, Francesca R and Ethan M secured the bronze medal in the Junior Mixed Doubles U16 division. They achieved a hard-fought 16-14 victory over Maya Shamir and Ben Baravik. Both teams displayed exceptional shot-making, agility, and determination throughout the thrilling battle for the podium finish. Despite Shamir and Baravik's persistent pressure, Francesca and Ethan maintained their composure in the final moments to clinch the win. This performance highlights the growing talent and competitive spirit within junior pickleball, reinforcing the sport's promising future.
U14 Bronze Battle Won: Grace K & MJ Marrero Dominate at Veolia Cape Coral Open
Grace K and MJ Marrero claimed the bronze medal in the Junior Mixed Doubles U14 division at the 2025 Veolia Cape Coral Open. They delivered a strong performance, defeating Ella E and Jonah Karczmer with a decisive 15-8 victory. Grace and MJ took control of the match early, utilizing smart shot selection and consistent play to build a lead. While Ella and Jonah fought to keep pace, Grace and MJ’s well-placed dinks and aggressive net play helped them close out the match and secure their place on the podium. This composed performance and strategic teamwork from Grace and MJ further underscores the depth of talent emerging in the U14 division of the PPA Tour.
Unlock Your Dink Game! Pro Tomassi Reveals Footwork Secrets for Aggressive Shots
Professional pickleball player Tanner Tomassi shared crucial tips for effectively handling aggressive dinks in a recent video tutorial. He emphasized that a common mistake among amateur players when facing fast dinks is using improper footwork. Tomassi recommends that instead of chasing the ball with the wrong footwork, players should use their inside foot to cross over, which helps in cutting off the ball's angle more efficiently and allows for better positioning for a solid return. In addition to footwork, Tomassi highlighted the importance of paddle positioning, advising players to keep the paddlehead completely sideways when making contact with the ball to scoop it back with control. This prevents the common error of angling the paddlehead downward, which can cause the ball to pop up. Following these expert tips can significantly improve a player's ability to manage fast, sharp dinks.
Hit Your Winning Point: Parenteau's Pro Secrets to a Perfect Serve Return
Pickleball pro Catherine Parenteau offers key advice on how to master the return of serve, emphasizing its importance in setting up a successful point. According to Parenteau, a strong return makes it harder for opponents on the baseline to advance. She recommends adjusting your standing position based on the opponent's serve strength: stand further back for strong serves and closer for weaker ones. Crucially, return with your stronger shot, whether it's a forehand or backhand, and position yourself to favour that side.
Parenteau advises a specific footwork sequence: do a split step as the opponent hits the ball, pivot your feet, turn sideways to hit, and follow through before moving to the kitchen line. A common mistake to avoid is hitting the return while running forward; instead, stop to hit the ball and then move. The primary goal of the return should be to hit it as deep as possible to make your opponent's third shot challenging. Consider your opponent's weaknesses and aim towards them if possible. While a higher return can give you more time, Parenteau notes that the best returns in high-level play are low and deep.
Michigan's Pickleball Boom: Massive 18-Court Indoor Club Coming to Auburn Hills
Pickleball’s rapid growth in Michigan continues with the development of the Greystone Pickleball Club, a 60,000-square-foot indoor facility featuring 18 courts in Auburn Hills. This multi-million dollar project aims to transform the local pickleball scene, offering a premium experience for players of all skill levels. The facility is designed to have a country club-inspired atmosphere with top-tier amenities, catering to both recreational and competitive play, and will offer opportunities for training, social events, and tournaments. The project was made possible through a collaborative financing effort involving multiple financial institutions and business consultants across Michigan. Pat Chisholm, President of Greystone Pickleball Club, highlighted the communal nature of the sport and the excitement surrounding this new venture. The Greystone Pickleball Club is expected to contribute to Auburn Hills’ economic growth by attracting players and events.