ALW coaching masterclass, Ava Ignatowich, new gear and college games

Good morning, pickleballers!

You will start getting used to these weekend reports, won't you? And then I will whisk them away again, making Saturday mornings just like they used to be.

Either way, enjoy them whilst they are here and then go and get yourself on court and play some pickleball.

Before you dive in, let's talk about the latest World Pickleball Podcast. 

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.

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.

Here's today's pickleball news in our World Pickleball Report.

Waters Dynasty Unveils Pickleball Secrets: Masterclass from Anna Leigh & Leigh Now on YouTube

USA – Pickleball enthusiasts are buzzing about a new instructional video featuring the reigning queen of pickleball, Anna Leigh Waters, and her mother and coach, Leigh Waters. Released on YouTube in collaboration with content creator Kyle Koszuta, the 46-minute production promises a masterclass on six crucial elements of the game.

Koszuta introduces the video by highlighting the unique opportunity to learn from "the greatest player of all time" and her esteemed coach. The comprehensive session dives into key strategies and techniques, covering the serve, third shot decisions, attacking, counter-attacking, drilling, and the overall mindset required to excel in pickleball.

Published recently, the video has already garnered significant attention within the pickleball community, amassing over 75,000 views and sparking over 200 comments. This indicates a strong interest in the insights and expertise offered by the Waters duo. This readily available resource offers players of all levels a chance to learn from the very best in the sport.

College to Pro Pickleball: Rising Star Ava Ignatowich Shares Her Bold Journey & Advice

Miami, USA – Ava Ignatowich, a current undergraduate student and member of the University of Miami's club pickleball team, has made a successful transition to professional pickleball in 2024. This unique position gives her firsthand insight into the contrasting worlds of collegiate and pro pickleball. Ignatowich noted significant differences, stating that college games involve less stacking and shorter points compared to the faster pace of professional play.

Now a mentor to her college teammates, Ignatowich offers valuable advice to aspiring college players dreaming of going pro. Her key recommendation is simple: "Just sign up for qualifiers and see how you do". She emphasizes that results provide a good indication of a player's progress and the effectiveness of their practice. Ignatowich also encourages consistent drilling, watching professional pickleball, and adopting the habits of top players.

Despite an initial streak of losses in her first professional tournaments, Ignatowich persevered and now has wins under her belt. She is also optimistic about the future of collegiate pickleball, highlighting the increasing participation, the role of DUPR in creating scholarship opportunities, and her hope for pickleball to become an NCAA Division I sport.

JOOLA's Secret Weapon: New Pro IV Paddles with "TFP" Tech Promise Game-Changing Performance

USA – Pickleball gear innovator JOOLA has launched the highly anticipated remaining paddles in its Pro IV series – the Magnus, Scorpeus, and Hyperion – exclusively at Pickleball Central. This release complements the earlier debut of the Perseus Pro IV and Agassi Pro/Graf Pro models, completing a lineup designed in collaboration with top professionals like Ben Johns and Anna Bright.

A key innovation in the Pro IV series is the incorporation of an added section of high-density foam in the lower portion of the paddle. This construction, termed "TFP" (Tech Flex Power) by JOOLA, aims to enhance stability, expand the sweet spot, and allow for greater flex. These features are intended to improve overall feel, power, and spin for players.

According to JOOLA's Product Manager, Austin Kim, the added foam also strategically adds weight to an area where players often apply weighted tape. The Pro IV line is USAP and UPA certified, making them legal for all sanctioned tournaments. Each paddle shape (Magnus, Scorpeus, Hyperion) offers unique performance characteristics detailed in the review, catering to different playing styles. Notably, JOOLA will also release a dual-certified version of its 3S paddles later in spring 2025. also mentions a giveaway of fifteen JOOLA Pro IV paddles.

NFL Legend Jake Plummer Trades Touchdowns for Dink Shots in Charity Pickleball Bash with Star Athletes

Tempe, Arizona, USA – Former NFL star Jake Plummer is set to host his inaugural charity pickleball tournament, the "Jake Plummer Pickleball Bash," on April 18, 2025, at The Picklr in Tempe. The former Arizona Cardinals quarterback has traded his cleats for sneakers and his helmet for a paddle, embracing the popular sport of pickleball.

Plummer, a former standout for the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Cardinals, is now an advocate for pickleball, which he calls "one of my favourite things to do these days". The idea for the charity event stems from his previous bowl-o-rama events held during his time with the Cardinals.

The ProAm tournament will feature celebrity athletes such as Tim Kempton, DJ Foster, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Amy Van Dyken, and Terrell Owens. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Good Sport Foundation, an organization supporting growth, community, education, good health, and hope through global grassroots efforts within pickleball. Plummer describes his pickleball style as more about "grace and finesse" rather than power smashing. Teams can participate with a celebrity for a cost of $2,500. The event is scheduled to run from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT.

Pickleball Mania Hits the Isle of Wight: Inaugural Festival Serves Up Thrills and a Challenger Duel with National Champs

Isle of Wight, United Kingdom – The Isle of Wight recently experienced its first-ever pickleball festival, held at the West Wight Sports Centre on Friday, April 4th. A total of 26 participants took part in the event, which adopted an ‘all play all’ format, allowing players of different experience levels to compete together in a friendly atmosphere.

A key attraction of the festival was the Challenger court, where English National Champion Tom Turney teamed up with Simon Proffitt, a former British Open Over 60s winner. The pair played doubles matches against all comers throughout the afternoon, drawing an enthusiastic crowd. Kay Montagu, the West Wight Sports Centre pickleball coach, stated that the festival was "equally popular" as a previous tournament held in January. Due to the positive feedback, more pickleball festivals are expected to be announced in the future as interest in the sport continues to grow on the Isle of Wight. Among the participants were also four sports instructors from the Isle of Wight College, noting the increasing interest in pickleball among students.

Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis Ready to Rumble on the Pickleball Court After Wife and Son Spark His Passion

Frisco, TX – April 11, 2025 – NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, the legendary running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has found a new athletic pursuit in the rapidly growing sport of pickleball. His introduction to the game comes courtesy of his wife, Trameka, an enthusiastic player who takes weekly lessons. Bettis admitted with a laugh that he's been learning about pickleball through her constant updates and social media posts.

While the Super Bowl XL champion enjoys the sport, his 17-year-old son, Jerome Bettis Jr., a wide receiver at Notre Dame, has emerged as the family's top pickleball talent. Despite a current lower-body injury that has limited his time on the court, the 53-year-old Bettis is eagerly anticipating the chance to compete against both his wife and his son. He joked about his son's trash-talking and competitive nature, vowing to reclaim the "king of the hill" title once he recovers.

$30,000 on the Line: The Battle for Collegiate Pickleball Supremacy Ignites in Atlanta

Atlanta, GA, USA – April 11, 2025 – The 2025 Collegiate National Championship (CNC) Tournament has kicked off this weekend at Life Time Peach Tree Corners, promising an electrifying display of talent with over $30,000 in scholarship money up for grabs. This prestigious event marks the culmination of the Collegiate Pickleball Tour, a partnership between DUPR and the UPA.

Teams from across the country qualified for the CNC through regional and super-regional competitions, vying for a spot in the 1st Team Bracket, which features the top 64 schools. Defending national champion Utah Tech is among the teams looking to claim the title. Beyond the top tier, the tournament also includes 2nd Team and Challenger Brackets, offering further opportunities for schools and individual players to compete and secure scholarship funding.

The 2nd Team Bracket is designed for schools that didn't qualify for the 1st Team Bracket or are fielding a second team. The Challenger Bracket features women’s, men’s, and mixed doubles competitions for players not in the top brackets. Scholarship money is awarded to the top finishers in the 2nd Team and Challenger Brackets, as well as to the school with the most participants and the best-performing challenger teams. The weekend will see intense competition, with group play on Friday, bracket play through the quarterfinals on Saturday, and the semifinals and championship matches on Sunday.

Bettis' appreciation for pickleball was further solidified after attending his first professional event, MLP Atlanta, in May 2024. He was impressed by the fast-paced action and the energy of the matches, noting the high level of skill and spin from the pros. For Bettis, pickleball offers a familiar quick-paced, stop-start activity reminiscent of his younger days playing racquetball, and he values its inclusivity for players of all abilities.

The Pickleball Doctor Reveals: Why Singles is a Beast & the Recovery Secrets of Top Pro Ben Johns

Atlanta, GA, USA – April 11, 2025 – Dr. Noe Sariban, widely known as The Pickleball Doctor and the physical therapist for top professional pickleball player Ben Johns, has offered insights into the demanding nature of singles pickleball and the crucial role of recovery for elite athletes. Sariban, a former professional pickleball player himself, believes that singles pickleball can be more physically strenuous than tennis due to its aggressive movements and the quicker pace of the game, noting similarities to basketball's forward, side-to-side, backpedalling, and pivot movements.

For players like Ben Johns, who often compete in multiple disciplines in tournaments, recovery is paramount. Sariban emphasizes the importance of a cool-down routine involving continued movement after playing to gradually lower the heart rate and maintain blood flow. He advises stretching if there is more than an hour between matches but cautions against stretching too close to playing as it can negatively impact power output. Johns and Sariban consistently dedicate 40 minutes to an hour each day to stretching, focusing on specific areas to ensure readiness for the following day's matches. Sariban's approach combines his expertise in physical therapy with his understanding of the sport, allowing him to keep Johns at his peak performance.