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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

So what’s the secret for ensuring that your children or grandchildren have a positive first-time experience with pickleball, encouraging them to make it a lifetime activity they can love as much as we all do? First, remember your experience learning the game. Was it a friend or family member who got you started, or a dynamic pickleball coach who made it simple and easy to learn? Or maybe, with all the buzz around pickleball, you bought a couple of inexpensive paddles at Walma

As pickleball attracts more and more players from other sports, those new players bring shots from their former sports. There is much greater shot variety in pickleball than ever before. Some of the shots even have names, like reset, Erne, and dink. As overall play gets better, the need for variety, change of pace, additional spin, and deception increases. Why would you want to use a backhand serve? In the past, I have seen several players switch to a backhand serve when they

In pickleball, the serving team starts every point at a natural disadvantage. The third shot is regularly the moment where points start to unravel. The choice you make here largely determines whether you feed into your opponents’ advantage, stay stuck in neutral, or step into control of the rally. Why the Third Shot Matters The third shot is the pivotal moment in a rally for the serving team. Choosing the right shot sets the tone for the rest of the point. Consider these key

Pickleball players are a special group of people. The social interaction our sport provides sparks a special sense of happiness, bringing us back to the courts again and again. And, as it turns out, research shows that happy people are generous people. If you and your pickleball pals are feeling that warm sense of generosity this holiday season, consider teaming up to give one of humanity’s most basic needs: food. Here are some ways your pickleball group can help feed those w

As travelers start planning their 2026 adventures, there’s a coastal destination that perfectly blends pickleball, leisure and luxury—Wild Dunes Resort on South Carolina’s Isle of Palms. With six dedicated pickleball courts, world-class amenities, and a stunning seaside setting just minutes from downtown Charleston, Wild Dunes is the ultimate year-round getaway for families, friend groups, and corporate retreats alike. Set against the natural beauty of South Carolina’s Lowcou

Austin Pickle Ranch Austin, Texas Imagine, if you will, an empty warehouse that through its transformation into an indoor pickleball facility garnered a prestigious national award from the American Sports Builders Association as its 2024 Indoor Pickleball Facility of the Year. Well, that’s exactly what transpired for Austin Pickle Ranch, which had officially opened just one year earlier in October 2023. The sport of pickleball is flourishing in the capital city of Texas, with

Home: Boynton Beach, Florida Age: 23 Marital status: Single Major and college: Communications at Florida Gulf Coast University Best shot: Backhand flick Favorite tournament: San Clemente Ranking: 37 in singles, 16 in men’s doubles, 16 in mixed doubles You received MLP’s Most Improved Award last year. What did you to do achieve it? I started as a rookie, nobody knew me, I played the MLP Challenge. I practiced and worked on my fitness with Simone Jardim. You are Brazilian

The 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships delivered on all fronts: massive participation—with players from 47 states and 20 countries—high-level competition, and a picturesque host city. Sofia Sewing hits a backhand drive shot against Katerina Stewart in the Pro Women's Singles finals match. Photo by Bruce Yeung; IG: @yeungphotography The USA Pickleball National Championships brings together all divisions—age groups, amateurs, and pros. It’s a celebration of the breadth