Pickleball News: Juniors doing it their way, India and Malaysia level up again

Good morning, pickleballers!

The end of another week is closing in as quickly as that 11-3 defeat in rec play the other day.

I trust everyone has been able to get on court in the last five days and has some pickleball lined up this weekend.

Personally, tomorrow is a rest day (the first time since March 1st?!) that I won't have hit a ball - and then on Sunday, we are putting on our first-ever tournament and our little venue in Cheshire (North West of the UK to my international readers). Everything is under 3.5, all ages, both gender competitions and mixed happening back to back across two courts. Intimate, we shall call it.

Whatever you are doing, have a good game and enjoy it!

On with today's pickleball news.

Junior Pickleball Phenoms Ditch Mimicking, Unleash Jaw-Dropping Originality on the Court, Says Pro Allyce Jones

Veteran pickleball pro Allyce Jones is buzzing about the next generation, declaring that junior players in the Junior PPA are bringing unprecedented creativity to the sport. Instead of simply copying the pros, these youngsters are "creating instead of just watching and mimicking," Jones enthusiastically stated.

Jones, who coaches kids and has burgeoning pickleball players of her own, marvels at the ingenuity displayed by these young athletes. She recounted seeing her daughter create shots she hadn't even taught, like a "heavy, out-of-the-air jumping roll". This creativity sets them apart, even from some higher-level adult players who might rely too heavily on power without mastering finesse shots like dinking.

According to Jones, the level of play in the Junior PPA is remarkably high, with juniors already dinking and spinning the ball like professionals. They are also rapidly adopting advanced techniques such as the two-handed backhand, learning them much earlier than previous generations. Jones is particularly excited about players like 12-year-old Elsie Hendershot, who embodies this creative and competitive spirit. Jones believes this wave of innovative young talent will not only advance their own play but also the game of pickleball as a whole.

Gujarat's Pickleball Explosion: Record-Breaking Tournament Ignites India's Burgeoning Scene with Massive Prize Pool

Gujarat is witnessing an unprecedented surge in pickleball popularity as it prepares to host the LGT Wealth India Gujarat Masters 2025, the state's largest pickleball tournament ever. Taking place in Vadodara from March 21 to 23, the event has attracted over 250 players across 29 categories, signalling a significant milestone for the sport in the region.

Organized by the Pickleball Association of Gujarat (PAG) under the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), the tournament boasts a prize pool exceeding ₹5 lakh, aiming to elevate pickleball's status as a competitive and inclusive sport. PAG President Saurabh Trivedi hailed the Gujarat Masters as a "game-changer for pickleball in India," emphasizing its role in creating a strong ecosystem for players to compete and develop.

Beyond the tournament, PAG is investing in future talent through a Player Sponsorship Program and the upcoming PAG Labs for high-performance training. With this landmark event and strategic initiatives, Gujarat is firmly establishing itself as a leading force in India's rapidly expanding pickleball landscape.

Malaysia Stakes Claim as Pickleball Powerhouse with Region's Richest Grand Slam Tournament

Malaysia is poised to become a major pickleball hub with the inaugural MATTA Malaysia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025 (MPG2025), set to take place in Kuching, Sarawak, from October 7 to 20, 2025. This landmark event is organized by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) and will be held at PIKABOL, Malaysia’s Pickleball Powerhouse.

With a record-breaking prize pool of RM100,000, the largest in the region, MPG2025 is expected to attract top-tier talent from Malaysia and abroad. Organizers anticipate over 1,350 participants and 2,600 visitors in total. The tournament is endorsed by the Malaysia Pickleball Association, Sarawak Pickleball Association, and Kuching Pickleball Association.

Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah emphasized the event’s significance in inspiring more Malaysians to take up the sport. MPG2025 aims to not only elevate Malaysia's status in the global pickleball community but also provide significant economic benefits by boosting sports tourism. The event signifies a major milestone for the growing popularity of pickleball in Malaysia.

Georgia's Pickleball Colossus Returns: Dink Master Tournament Promises Biggest Action Yet

Georgia's largest pickleball event, the Dink Master Pickleball 2025, is set to make a comeback, promising even more action than before. While specific details like dates, location, and expected number of participants aren't elaborated upon in the provided sources, the headline itself emphasizes its significance as Georgia's biggest tournament.

The return of the Dink Master tournament signifies the continued growth and enthusiasm for pickleball in Georgia. Such large-scale events play a crucial role in fostering competition and community engagement within the sport. Although further details are not available in the current sources, the anticipation surrounding the Dink Master's return suggests a significant gathering for pickleball players and enthusiasts in the state.

Given its designation as Georgia's "biggest tournament," the Dink Master likely attracts a wide range of players, from amateur enthusiasts to more competitive individuals, all eager to participate in this prominent pickleball event. Its reappearance underscores the vibrant and expanding pickleball scene in the region.

Club Honors IT Wizard with Inaugural Award for Shaping Pickleball in England and Europe

Runnymede Royals Pickleball Club (UK) has bestowed its first-ever award, named in honour of Frank Arico, to Arico himself for his monumental contributions to the club and the broader pickleball community. Arico, recognized as the "IT guru" behind the club's session planners, payment systems, league selection process, and website, received the accolade at the 2025 AGM.

Beyond his crucial IT work for RRPC, Frank Arico has made a "huge impact in the world of Pickleball" by establishing and serving as a director of Pickleball England. His influence extended further as he then moved on to found and become the President of the European Pickleball Federation. The Committee's decision to annually award a member for significant contributions underscores the profound impact Arico has had on the sport, both locally and internationally. This inaugural award celebrates his vision and dedication in shaping the landscape of pickleball across England and Europe.

Unlock Unstoppable Serves: Pro Callie Jo Smith's Simple Secret to Dominating the Pickleball Court

Pickleball players struggling with their serve can find hope in the straightforward advice recently shared by well-known pro Callie Jo Smith. Taking to Instagram, Smith revealed a "critical mistake" many players make that hinders their serving game: contacting the ball behind their bodies. Her "simple secret" to unlocking better serves is to focus on making contact with the ball in front of the body.

According to Smith, this seemingly small adjustment can yield significant improvements. Players can expect more control over their serves, leading to better placement and strategy. Consistency will also increase, making serves more reliable. Furthermore, proper contact allows for lower, more dangerous serves that are tougher for opponents to return. Perhaps most enticingly, Smith assures that this technique will also lead to increased power, making serves more effective overall.

Smith encourages players to identify their serving struggles and implement this key tip to enhance their technique and overall on-court performance. By correcting their point of contact, pickleball enthusiasts at all levels can potentially transform their serve from a weakness into a dominant weapon.

Stop Obsessing Over Results: Pickleball Guru Reveals the Mindset Shift That Fuels Real Improvement

Kyle Koszuta from ThatPickleballSchool is urging players to transform their game by shifting their focus from outcomes to decision-making. He explains that many pickleball enthusiasts fall into the trap of "resulting," judging their shots based on whether they won the point. Instead, Koszuta advocates for evaluating the quality of the decision itself.

Drawing on the principles in Annie Duke’s book Thinking in Bets, Koszuta advises players to ask critical questions after each shot, such as the opponent’s paddle position or the height of the ball. If the answers indicate a favourable setup, the decision was likely sound, regardless of the result. By thinking in probabilities and assessing whether a shot has a high likelihood of success, players can detach emotionally from individual points. Koszuta believes this mindset shift leads to more enjoyable and productive play, fostering faster improvement by concentrating on the process rather than solely on the immediate outcome.

Master the 'Poke': Pickleball Pro Unveils the Art of the Ultimate Reach Shot to Silence Opponent

Pickleball standout Zane Navratil has shared his expertise on executing the "poke shot," a crucial technique for players at full extension. In a recent Instagram post, Navratil detailed how the poke is about maximizing reach and minimizing the opponent's time and space. Since generating significant topspin or wrist action is difficult during this shot, precise targeting is paramount.

Navratil recommends aiming for the opponent’s right hip or "chicken wing" area, particularly as they transition into the kitchen. The key to a successful poke lies in minimal wrist movement, focusing instead on a direct approach to the ball and selecting effective targets. By mastering the poke, players can maintain control during extended rallies and apply pressure by significantly reducing the space available to their opponents, making it a valuable asset in any player’s arsenal.

Olympic Champion Trades Pommel Horse for Paddle, Inspires Local Pickleball Club

Ards Pickleball Club (Northern Ireland) recently received a special visit from Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan, a local hero renowned for his prowess in pommel horse gymnastics. McClenaghan, accompanied by his ‘Dancing with the Stars’ partner Laura Nolan, was warmly welcomed by the club members, who momentarily paused their pickleball games to greet the pair.

The visit highlights the growing recognition of Ards Pickleball Club within the local sporting community. While the article doesn't detail McClenaghan playing pickleball, his presence as a celebrated athlete undoubtedly served as an inspiration to the club members. Ards Pickleball Club has quickly established itself in local sporting circles, and hosting an Olympic champion further elevates its profile.

Did He See It Coming? The Buzz Around Ben Johns' Early Prediction for Pickleball Superstar Anna Leigh Waters

The pickleball world is buzzing with speculation about whether Ben Johns, now back at the top of the PPA men’s doubles rankings, might have foreseen the meteoric rise of Anna Leigh Waters to become a dominant force in the sport. A related article with the headline "Did Ben Johns predict Anna Leigh Waters would become World No. 1?" suggests there's intrigue surrounding Johns' early assessment of Waters' potential.

The article implies that Johns "saw something special in her right away... even at 10 years old". While the specifics of his prediction aren't detailed in the provided sources, the fact that this is highlighted as a related news item indicates that Johns recognized Waters' exceptional talent from a young age. This retrospective look at Johns' potential foresight adds an interesting layer to the narrative of pickleball's current top stars.

Ivy League Aces Their Way to Nationals: Cornell Pickleball Club Secures Coveted Championship Spot

Cornell Pickleball Club has successfully secured a spot at the 2025 Collegiate National Championship. This achievement is highlighted in the "Most Recent" news section, indicating a significant accomplishment for the university's pickleball program.

While the source provides this key piece of information, further details regarding the journey of Cornell's team, the specifics of the qualifying process, or the tournament they qualified through are not elaborated upon. However, earning a place in the national championship signifies a high level of skill and dedication from the Cornell players, marking a noteworthy moment for collegiate pickleball.