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Why protective eyewear belongs on every pickleball court. She's not just protecting her eyes, she's seeing the ball better because of her Vantage Labs glasses. photo credit: Vantage Labs. Pickleball is one of my biggest passions, and I talk about it to anyone who will listen. I’m a believer that pickleball can make the world a better place by bringing people together and spreading joy. But every time I step onto the court, something else takes over. It’s not my two-handed bac

The Pickleball Cowboy on Competing When the Stakes are High You’re in a tournament. The match matters. Maybe it’s for the gold medal, maybe it’s to avoid a drop in your rating, maybe it’s just a game against a rival you’ve never beaten. You’ve been playing solidly all day—clean serves, consistent dinks, effortless resets. Then the score hits 8-all. And something shifts. Your paddle feels heavier. Your feet slow down. You float a serve long. You pop up an easy third-shot drop.

March is National Nutrition Month® and the 2026 theme is: Discover the Power of Nutrition. This spring, try refreshing your insight on how food can help your game bloom. From the most casual rec player to the budding pro, balanced nutrition really does have the power to give us that winning edge. How Food Can Germinate Better Athletes Eating well doesn’t just shape how you look in your athletic wear. A nutrient-dense eating plan can: Supply energy for your body and brain to f

For those seeking the ultimate combination of accommodation and sports, Costa Navarino in Greece has emerged as a standout destination for active travelers. Located in the Messinia region of the southwestern Peloponnese, the destination blends Mediterranean beauty, world-class hospitality, and a growing lineup of racket sports, making it ideal for a premier pickleball vacation. Costa Navarino is currently home to four 5-star premium resorts, each designed to showcase the regi

California SMASH El Segundo, California Recently, a philosopher said, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn football,” an update of the famous quote about baseball. And, for every tight spiral coming from the throwing arm of Josh Allen, or acrobatic touchdown run by Derrick Henry, the gridiron has often been the focal point in this country for so many sports enthusiasts. While the sport of pickleball has a long way to go to eclipse the fanatici

Hometown: Grove City, Ohio Age: 14 Rating: DUPR of 6.116 in Men’s Doubles and 6.113 in Men’s Singles Favorite Shot: Two-handed backhand roll Favorite Tournament: Worlds PPA – Dallas Describe how you developed your best shot, the two-handed backhand roll. I started playing pickleball when I was 9 years old and not very strong. I used a two-handed backhand for control and power. I practiced with my 18-year-old brother, and I watched instruction videos of Simone Jardim. Unlike a

Legendary wide receiver Terrell Owens brings NFL fire to the pickleball court. Terrell Owens, NFL Hall of Fame receiver and avid pickleball player, leaps in the air for an overhead smash during a game at a private court in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The excitement in his voice is palpable and booms through the phone because he is minutes away from doing his favorite thing. “I’m driving to play pickleball right now,” Terrell Owens says from his car in Southern California. Yes,

One of the earliest lessons most pickleball players learn is simple: Get to the non-volley zone as fast as you can. While that advice isn’t wrong, it’s incomplete—and for many players it becomes a ceiling rather than a foundation. Winning points at higher levels isn’t about how fast you move, it’s about how well you control your speed. On the pickleball court, cheetahs chase; tigers stalk. And if you want better shot selection, cleaner contact and more controlled points, it’s

In pickleball, every game is a puzzle. Each point is another clue. The best players don’t just react, they solve. Whether you’re facing bangers or defensive grinders, your job is not simply to hit good shots. Your job is to decode and execute your plan against the equation in front of you faster and more effectively than your opponents decode and execute against yours. Power, spin, pace, placement and positioning are not just physical skills, they are information. Every ball

You may have watched the after-match interview of an adorable young pro player who openly admitted to having an “awful” diet. It caused chuckles across our pickle-munity to hear that this top athlete is flourishing despite his not-so-golden health habit. I think we all appreciated his honesty, but how is this possible? The truth is that humans can adapt to eating just about anything temporarily. That’s how we’ve managed to survive famines, wars, and now the barrage of temptin

Levelup Pickleball Club Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania In the south suburbs of Pittsburgh, where football has normally dominated the sports landscape, pickleball has surged in popularity. Where there were once just about 200 avid pickleballers (eight years ago), that number is now closer to 10,000—and even higher if you add casual players. For Wayne and Lisa Dollard, husband and wife and former collegiate tennis players, their interest in pickleball grew steadily and eventually led

Hometown: Tampa, FL Age: 28 Rating: 6.13 Favorite Event: PPA Cincinnati You were an outstanding doubles player in tennis at the University of South Carolina. What of those skills carried over into pickleball? Anticipation at the net and reaction time translated immediately, along with learning how to be a good teammate. Doubles tennis teaches you how to communicate, read your partner, and play with someone else on the court, all of which are essential in pickleball. What

With 71 courts across eight islands, Sandals and Beaches Resorts are rapidly becoming some of the world’s most exciting destinations for pickleball enthusiasts. Sandals South Coast In the world of luxury travel, the Caribbean has long been known as the capital of sun and sand, but Sandals and Beaches Resorts have officially transformed the islands into the ultimate destination for pickleball, with 71 courts across eight islands. Through an expansive partnership with USA Pickl

Aurora Anguilla Resort These luxury getaways prove pickleball can be as refined as it is fun. As pickleball continues its global rise, select resorts are elevating the sport from a casual amenity to a defining pillar of the guest experience. In each issue of Pickleball Magazine, we spotlight one property that delivers far more than courts—offering immersive pickleball programming thoughtfully paired with luxury accommodations. Resorts such The Boca Raton, Banyan Tree Mayakoba

When I was 5 years old, my mother took me for my first swim lesson. The instructor, a gruff man in red lifeguard Speedos, led me to the deep end of the pool and pushed me in. With my mother looking on in shock, I managed to dog-paddle to the side safely. At which point, the instructor exclaimed: “You see! He swims!” We never went back for lesson two. I mention this lesson for one reason: If you’re not coming to pickleball from another racket sport (especially tennis), you wou

You are better off going into a match with a plan. You need a baseline to be able to change a plan if it is not working. Good players will adjust, so you must be able to adjust as well. You certainly need to know yourself, what you can and cannot do. Good players have a weapon, and they know how to maximize that weapon. You need to be able to size up your opponents from the get-go. Where are they most consistent and where do they make errors? Do they like pace? Spin? Is their

OFFICIAL RULES Pickleball Magazine x Wild Dunes Resort x Pickleball in the Sun Sweepstakes NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. 1. Sponsor & Administrator The Sweepstakes is sponsored by: Wild Dunes Resort , 5757 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Promotional partners: Pickleball Magazine Pickleball in the Sun ("Sponsors") Wild Dunes Resort is responsibl

We all want our sport to be respected. We don’t want to bring shame to pickleball as it develops into a recognized paddle sport. To honor the founding principles of the game and positively guide this development, we must work to exhibit good sportsmanship at all levels. Not only is this good for pickleball, but it can also facilitate both personal and play improvement. Be a class act on the court, the medal stand, and in life itself. Act like you have been in the winner’s cir

Elevating your game beyond intermediate isn’t about flashy winners—it’s about mastering essential concepts that improve consistency, control, and point construction. These seven fundamental shots separate a 3.5 from a dependable 4.0+ player, and practicing them with purpose makes all the difference. 1. The Serve Sets the Tone The serve is the only shot you fully control, and at higher levels it’s a tactical weapon that can dictate the pace of a point. A deep, precise serve li

Becoming a better player involves the ability to dictate play. Most pickleball players begin by being reactionary: “Just get the return of serve back into the court.” “Keep the ball in play.” “Just get the ball in to start play—the serve doesn’t matter.” If your play is in line with these comments, it means your game has no real substance. Other players control your ability to play the game. Where to start to build a game of substance? You should begin by identifying the shot