The Dink Pickleball

$3,500 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai—now that’s a prize worth fighting for! The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship is setting records with its prize pool, making it the most lucrative event in DUPR 22 history. 💸 #pickleball #minorleaguepickleball

The United Pickleball Association is set to introduce 'destructive paddle testing' in 2025, aiming to level the pro scene by ensuring every paddle meets strict standards. Alex E. Weaver breaks down what this means for players and the impact on paddle performance. #pickleball #unitedpickleballassociation #upa #paddletesting

Have we been overlooking a major advantage in the game of pickleball? Does the team that serves first have a significant advantage in a match? In singles, the advantage is clear. In doubles though, most players aren’t concerned about who serves first. The advantage appears neutralized by the first team starting on 0-0-2. If you had to choose, would you prefer your team serve first or second? 🔹 For tournament play, a random draw or the old “number one or number two?” game determines who gets the choice of serve or side to start a match 🔹 In rec play, a park’s ‘house rules’ will usually dictate a side of the court that serves first But is there an advantage either way? Two pickleball fans crunched the numbers so you don’t have. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College's faculty member Mikky J. Wright and engineer William Figary published an article on the statistical impact of serving first in pickleball. After building a mathematical program and running 10,000 match simulations they found the team that serves first does not have an advantage in games played 11. However, the advantage becomes statistically significant in games played to 15 points. More importantly, they determined: 🔹 If there is an advantageous side of the court, you should always start on the ‘bad’ side and should choose that instead of choosing to serve or return 🔹 If one player on the team is better at serving, they should start on the right side and serve first There are plenty of variables that could offset these conclusions but if you’re a player that likes data-backed decisions you now have some numbers to help in your decision-making. Worst case, you can blame a loss on the pre-game coin flip or even slight wind conditions. This segment is proudly brought to you by The Dink Pickleball Newsletter.

In today’s edition of The Dink Pickleball LinkedIn Newsletter, we explore groundbreaking data from 2,000 tournament points across five skill levels. Discover why a deep return could be your key to victory and how refining your 3rd shot approach could transform your game's outcome. The Texas Ranchers have added pro footballers Tim Tebow and Juju Smith-Schuster into Major League Pickleball’s ownership circle. Let's wrap up by sharing some tips on improving your backhand third shot. #pickleball #sports #upyourgame #thedinkpickleball

Pickleball just got a little safer with USA Pickleball now teaming up with Emerge to prioritize player safety and financial protection for athletes. With accidental injury insurance now in place, players can focus on their game without worrying about what-ifs. #pickleball #usapickleball #emerge #partnership

Life Time Inc. has invested $100 million into becoming the nation's largest provider of pickleball courts. Their portfolio consists of 700 permanent courts, and they’re on pace to pass 1,000 courts next year as more locations convert space or add pickleball courts. According to a CNBC (paywall) article, this trend has increased membership demand at their locations. It also led Bank of America analyst Alexander Perry to increase his price target on the Life Time Group Holdings stock from $1 to $30. The stock is up 56% on the year, and Perry’s confidence implies that “Shares could jump 27% from the last close.” Life Time Inc. hosts multiple United Pickleball Association events throughout the year, including the Atlanta Slam at their Life Time facility in Peachtree Corners, GA. Life Time also made headlines last month when they announced plans to use their own brand of pickleball in their facilities. This segment is proudly brought to you by The Dink Pickleball Newsletter.

Want to speed up your hands and add power to your shots? Selkirk Sport - We are Pickleball pro Morgan Evans has the inside scoop on how to develop faster, more powerful hands for your pickleball game. #pickleball #upyourgame #selkirksport

The debate between drives and drops rages on, but is one strategy actually better for winning more points? This breakdown digs into the data to reveal which approach consistently comes out on top. #pickleball #statistics #upyourgame

Thinking of going pro in pickleball? It’s not as impossible as it sounds. Eric Roddy shares his journey from amateur to professional, showing how dedication, a few smart moves, and a little bit of luck can turn your pickleball dreams into reality. #pickleball #sports

Much like the legends of the game above, pickleball wouldn’t be where it is today without a different group of people — referees. Referees are a vital part of all major sports but are often the most underappreciated aspect. That holds especially true in pickleball. Between countless hours standing in the hot sun to convincing “competitors” that they did in fact step on the kitchen line, the job of referees is not an easy one. And what do they get for their trouble? Until recently, most certified referees would earn $20/match or less. Conditions are improving thanks to advancements in the professional ranks, but for now, most refs still volunteer their time or lose money to help make competitive pickleball possible. Erik Tice spoke with the two people responsible for the referees in Major League Pickleball and on the Association of Pickleball Players Tour to better understand who they are and what type of training they receive. It might even convince you to try to become certified! This segment is proudly brought to you by The Dink Pickleball Newsletter.