Good morning pickleballers!
Wednesday already, the week progressing faster than that forehand smash Gary played last night, when you tried to lob him for the 5th time in a row.
There's loads in the PKLBulletin today, so we'd better get right on with it.
Joe James delved deeper into the growth of the game in Vietnam, read about that here.
And in the PKLBulletin, we have many a story from across the world of pickleball news.
Croydon's Corfield Serves Up a Pickleball Revolution: From Grassroots to Glory
One of the UK's leading pickleball players, Tom Corfield, is igniting a pickleball revolution in his home borough of Croydon, London. After transitioning from tennis to pickleball in May 2022, Corfield established Croydon Pickleball, a network connecting local clubs and facilities.
Corfield's work extends to offering short courses for beginners, which have expanded through word of mouth. His next goal involves creating a group for novices to continue playing.
"Pickleball is for everyone," Corfield states, emphasizing that "Everyone deserves to play competitive pickleball". His ambition is to have everyone try pickleball at least once and is planning a summer tournament to celebrate the sport's growth.
Mesa's Pickleball Mania Shatters Records: More Fans Than NBA & NHL Games
The 2025 Carvana Mesa Cup presented by Proton has etched its name in pickleball history by setting new benchmarks for attendance and revenue. According to a press release from the PPA Tour, the tournament drew an impressive 18,965 attendees to the Arizona Athletic Grounds over six days. This figure surpasses the average attendance of regular-season NBA and NHL games from the 2023-2024 season.
The event's success extended to ticket sales, with revenue exceeding $300,000. All tickets were sold out from Thursday through Sunday.
Connor Pardoe, founder and CEO of the Carvana PPA Tour, hailed the event as one of the greatest in pickleball history, noting the packed grounds and palpable energy. Ben Worley, Director of Pickleball at the Arizona Athletic Grounds, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the Carvana Mesa Cup was the largest pickleball event they had ever hosted.
The Carvana Mesa Cup featured top players and thrilling matches, including a five-game women’s doubles final between Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau and Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher, and a men’s doubles final where Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu triumphed over Ben Johns/Gabe Tardio.
Chennai Super Champs Ace Inaugural Pickleball Championship: A Summer Smash!
The Chennai Super Champs have announced the launch of the Chennai Open Pickleball Championship, set to take place in the summer of 2025. This marks the first tournament organized by the city's World Pickleball League (WPBL) franchise, aiming to introduce pickleball to more sports enthusiasts in Chennai.
The tournament is backed by the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) and the Amateur Pickleball Tamil Nadu Sports Unit (APTNSU), with support from the WPBL. Registration for the championship will open soon and will include various categories for players.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, co-owner of Chennai Super Champs, expressed her excitement for the event: "Pickleball is capturing the imagination of people globally, and Chennai is ready to be part of this exciting journey". She hopes the tournament will translate into wider participation and fun, encouraging youth participation and making the sport accessible to all.
Himank Duvvuru, also a co-owner, highlighted the championship as a commitment to year-round engagement with pickleball. The Chennai Super Champs were one of the teams in the inaugural WPBL held in Mumbai last month, with support from Sathyabama University.
Chiefs Heiress Gracie Hunt's Pickleball Paddle: A Touchdown for Team Spirit
Gracie Hunt, heiress to the Kansas City Chiefs, has been spotted showing off her team spirit in Dallas. After the Chiefs' performance at Super Bowl LIX, Hunt has been enjoying her offseason, including some time at At Fault, described as "an elevated pickleball and entertainment concept".
Before stepping onto the court, Gracie Hunt showcased her custom Chiefs pickleball paddle on Instagram. This paddle is a clear display of her support for her father Clark Hunt’s team, even off the football field.
Gracie is the eldest daughter of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and Tavia Shackles. With the NFL offseason underway, it remains to be seen where Gracie will appear next, but she is sure to bring her signature style and team spirit wherever she goes.
Pickleball's Marketing Ace: How Laura Gainor is Cashing in on the Craze
Laura Gainor, with her extensive background in pickleball, is tapping into the sport's booming popularity. Having witnessed the sport's rise during her time in marketing at USA Pickleball, Gainor has launched Pickleball in the Sun to assist brands and event organizers in navigating the fast-growing world of pickleball.
Gainor recognized the potential early on, noting the significant growth in pickleball participation. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association reported a 58 percent increase in participation in the past year and a 223 percent increase over the past three years.
As a result, brands are eager to get involved, and event organizers seek to incorporate pickleball experiences into their events. Entire communities are even being designed with pickleball courts to increase accessibility. Gainor's firm, Pickleball in the Sun, aims to guide these entities as they venture into the sport. She is helping brands look differently at pickleball and is helping event organizers activate pickleball experiences. She is also closely watching where the sport is heading, and what, if anything, may slow its momentum.
Tennis Legend Mahesh Bhupathi Serves Up Praise for India's Exploding Pickleball Scene
Indian tennis icon Mahesh Bhupathi has lauded the 2025 World Pickleball League (WPBL) for its successful inaugural season, acknowledging pickleball's increasing popularity in India. Bhupathi, though new to pickleball, expressed his enthusiasm for the sport and his personal experience playing it.
Bhupathi noted pickleball's rapid expansion, stating, "The sport is growing at an interesting pace, with multiple leagues emerging in India". He shared his experience: "It was great to see such an exciting competition. I’m still getting used to the sport, but I play whenever I’m invited”.
Bhupathi commended the World Pickleball League for delivering a high-quality tournament, adding that "This league is here to stay. It has been executed professionally, and the competition was of high quality”. He also credited Arati Ponnappa Natekar and Gaurav Natekar for their efforts in managing and ensuring the event's smooth execution.
Bhupathi's endorsement is expected to further boost pickleball's popularity in India, paving the way for it to become a major player in the country's sporting landscape as more professional leagues emerge.
Pickleball Unites Ukraine in Warsaw: World Federation President Leads the Charge
Seymour Rifkind, the president of the World Pickleball Federation, recently visited Poland, where he led a training session in Warsaw with members of the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation. This event occurred ahead of the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ivan Zahorodny, a member of the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation, stated that "In Ukraine, in spite of the war, we try to do something for people to help them forget about this war, at least for a while, especially in the case of men who were injured while fighting". Despite the ongoing conflict, the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation is committed to supporting its people.
Rifkind is spearheading efforts to promote pickleball globally and advocate for its inclusion in future Olympic Games. The training session provided an opportunity for members of the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation to participate and connect through the sport.
Cincola's 'Drive-Drop Combo': The Secret Weapon for Dominating Deep Returns in Pickleball
Pickleball coach and player John Cincola has introduced a strategy to help players effectively manage deep returns and transition to the kitchen line. His "Drive-Drop Combo" simplifies movement and enhances the chances of winning points by improving the third and fifth shots.
Deep returns often push players behind the baseline, making it challenging to move forward. Cincola's approach involves a controlled third-shot drive followed by a precise fifth-shot drop. This sequence forces opponents into weaker responses, allowing the player to move forward and take control of the point.
Key steps in Cincola’s strategy:
- Anticipate the return and move back to prepare for a balanced shot.
- Execute a controlled third-shot drive, aiming for about 70% power to keep the ball low.
- Move forward immediately.
- Execute a precise fifth-shot drop, landing the ball softly in the kitchen to complete the transition.
To make the strategy effective, Cincola highlights the importance of shifting the mindset to use the drive as a setup shot, keeping the drive low to force defensive volleys, and advancing quickly to capitalize on weak returns. Cincola’s Drive-Drop Combo is a practical solution for players struggling with deep returns.
Tomassi's Pickleball Pointers: Unlock the Secrets to Court Domination
Pickleball pro Tanner Tomassi is sharing his expertise to help players improve their game, focusing on court positioning and backhand counterattacks.
Regarding court positioning, Tomassi emphasizes the importance of movement during a partner’s third shot drop. He advises against standing beside a partner during this shot. Instead, players should take two steps in as the ball approaches their partner to prepare to poach the net, or step back to prepare for defense if the drop shot is high. This adjustment enhances teamwork and creates opportunities to win points.
Tomassi also shared a quick guide on executing a backhand counterattack. His key advice is to hit the ball down at the opponent’s feet rather than trying to hit it through them, setting up an easier shot for the next ball. Proper wrist pronation is essential for achieving the downward angle. Tomassi advises players to "snap with your wrist" rather than pushing with their shoulders, and to keep their feet still for a quicker response.
By mastering these techniques, players can enhance their overall performance and increase their chances of winning points.