New Podcast, ALW & CP Split latest, Block Scoring and more
Good morning, pickleballers!
I tell you what, ever since news of "the split" emerged the rest of the pickleball world seems to have gone into some kind of news lockdown. I have never known it to be so quiet!
Still, we can make news of our own here at WPM HQ - and that news is of our World Pickleball Podcast which has another new episode out.
In this one, Gordon Watson and I talk about the week's biggest global pickleball news - which this time out does include ALW and CP parting ways, all the latest from MLP and PPA Australia, our thoughts on Malaysia moving to #3 in the pickleball world and more.
You can find the World Pickleball Podcast on Apple, Spotify and Deezer or you can get your fix immediately below.
This time last week, we released the latest World Pickleball Magazine, already considered by many (and not just from my pickleball club) to be the most comprehensive magazine for pickleball in the world (what a nice thing to say).
In the April magazine, we have feature interviews with all the people putting on the main pickleball leagues, tournaments and tours in Europe, lots of chat from Asia, a new section with Fail 1st Podcast (one of the best other pickleball podcasts out there) and more. Click below to get your digital copy.
Now on with today's world pickleball news!Agua Plus Serves Up Official Hydration Partnership with Major League Pickleball
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES – April 9, 2025 – In a move highlighting the surging popularity of pickleball, Agua Plus has become the official water of Major League Pickleball (MLP), presented by DoorDash, beginning with the 2025 season. This partnership underscores the importance of hydration in the dynamic sport. Agua Plus, an innovative alkaline water brand, will be the exclusive water distributed to players, officials, and fans at all MLP games throughout the season. This includes televised competitions on major sports channels like ESPN and Fox Sports, as well as brand activations at event venues. Chad Willis, Agua Plus Brand Founder and CEO, expressed excitement about the long-term partnership and contributing to the growth of pickleball. Jacob Cohen, vice president of sponsorships for the United Pickleball Association, emphasized that hydration is essential for everyone involved in outdoor sports like pickleball.
Web3 Meets the Court: BingX Aces Community Engagement at Vietnam Pickleball Open
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – April 9, 2025 – BingX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, served up a unique community engagement initiative by co-hosting the BingX Pickleball Open Tour 2025 in Vietnam on March 29. Collaborating with Pickleball Country Club (PCC), the event at Tana Sport in Vietnam attracted over 267 players across 151 teams and more than 100 attendees, including national athletes and local celebrities. Alex Nguyen, BingX’s spokesperson for Vietnam, highlighted the goal of creating a space for BingX users to connect in real life through shared interests beyond trading. The event successfully blended the Web3 community with the fast-growing sport of pickleball.
No More Scorecard Scuffles? Australian Inventor Unveils "P T SCORER" for Pickleball
PITTSBURGH, PA, UNITED STATES – April 9, 2025 – An inventor from Warilla, NSW, Australia, has developed a new solution to prevent scoring confusion in pickleball: the "P T SCORER". This patent-pending invention is designed to provide an effective and convenient way for players to keep track of the score and serve during a match. The inventor aimed to create a device that prevents scoring confusion and delays, ultimately ensuring fair play. The compact design is intended to be easy to use for all pickleball players.
'A Little Bit Shocking': Parenteau Reacts to Unexpected Partnership Split with Anna Leigh Waters
USA – April 9, 2025 – Catherine Parenteau admitted she was surprised by a call from her women's doubles partner, Anna Leigh Waters, informing her of Waters' decision to "try something different". The call came less than 24 hours after they competed in the Veolia North Carolina Open final. Speaking on The Hannah Johns Podcast, Parenteau described the news as "a little bit shocking" and something she "wasn't aware of". Despite the unexpected end to their successful partnership, Parenteau expressed gratitude for their time together and is now considering future partners.
Beyond the Final Score: "Block Scoring" Aims to Revolutionize Pickleball Game Analysis
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – April 8, 2025 – A new method of documenting pickleball scores, called "block scoring," is being introduced to provide a more comprehensive understanding of game dynamics. Unlike traditional line scorekeeping, block scoring tracks points in consecutive streaks ("blocks"), revealing the momentum swings throughout a match. This approach aims to tell the story of how a game was won, not just the final score. Each block is labelled alphabetically and alternates based on which team is scoring.
Block scoring in pickleball involves documenting scores in "blocks" of consecutive points earned by a team. Each block is labelled with a letter (A, B, C, etc.), and the letter changes each time the scoring team changes. For example, instead of a final score like 11-5, a block score might show "Block A: Team A scores 4; Block B: Team B scores 2; Block C: Team A scores 5". This method provides a visual representation of the game's momentum shifts.