Browsing: Pickleball News

Erik Lange first picked up pickleball in 2017 when he was introduced to the sport while working as a sales professional for HEAD. Now, he’s decided to leave his Regional Sales Manager position with the company to pursue the sport as a full-time career. In his recent blog post announcing his commitment to pro pickleball, Lange says it best: “I’m not your typical professional athlete, but then again, pickleball is not your typical professional sport.” How does one transition from working a corporate job to playing professional pickleball in the PPA and MLP? We had the opportunity to meet with…

Pickleball’s growing popularity and the desire for unique experiences have led to its introduction in local malls. With the closure of traditional retail stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Old Navy, and Saks Off 5th, malls are seeking new tenants to fill vacant spaces and attract customers. A Shift Towards Experimental Activities The shift in consumer preferences towards experiential activities rather than traditional shopping has prompted malls to diversify their offerings. Real estate investment firm JLL highlights the way malls are incorporating a broader range of tenants and activities to drive foot traffic. This trend includes not just pickleball but…

Nearly 900 amateur and pro pickleball players participated in the APP Tour’s fifth tournament of the season: The APP Vlasic Classic. Hosted at Sawyer Point Pickleball Complex in Cincinnati, Ohio, last weekend saw plenty of incredible pro pickleball action!Championship Sunday saw the continued success of Andrei Daescu, who earned himself another set of gold medals in men’s and mixed doubles for the third tournament in a row. Outside of “Daescu Domination,” a lot more went down at the Vlasic Classic. Let’s talk about it! Men’s Pro Singles – Yates Johnson (2) vs. Hunter Johnson (1) View this post on Instagram…

The APP has demonstrated its dedication to the advancement of professional pickleball by introducing the first-ever APP Next Gen National Team. This team comprises 12 talented and ambitious pickleball players aged 16 to 23. Selection Process The selection process for the APP Next Gen National Team took into account several factors, such as current rankings and ratings, tournament achievements, results from the APP Next Gen Series, head-to-head match outcomes, and overall potential for growth. As part of their membership, team members will have the opportunity to participate in training camps, receive valuable coaching and mentoring, undergo testing and evaluation, and…

The Major League Expansion franchise D.C. Pickleball Team (DCPT), the capital’s newest professional sports sensation, is making waves by generously donating professional-level pickleball equipment to Ida B. Wells Middle School. But that’s not all: They also brought the pickleball party to the school with an exciting in-person pickleball demonstration! Giving Back To The Community Joining the ranks of MLP ahead of the 2023 season, DCPT has already captivated fans’ hearts with its star-studded ownership group. This dream team includes the likes of Al Tylis, Sam Porter, Eva Longoria, Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, Rip Hamilton, Shawn Marion, Odell Beckham Jr., and…

Ever since I covered the announcement of the new Kraken Kourts development at the end of last year, I’ve been eager to see what the finished venue would look like. The promise of a huge 70,000-square-foot pickleball venue seemed like exactly what the growing D.C. pickleball community needed, and Kraken Kourts has absolutely delivered. Located in MRP Realty’s Bryant Mills mixed-use development center in the Edgewood neighborhood, Kraken Kourts has taken over a space that used to be a massive department store. The newly refurbished facility features 14 regulation-sized pickleball courts, a tavern, individual cabana areas, and a huge roller…

Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville) has reported world-class additions to its 24 team ownership groups, led by social media influencers Dude Perfect (Frisco, TX franchise), professional athletes Jayson Tatum, Haley Jones, and Josh Allen are joining Los Angeles Mad Drops; Jewell Loyd and Zach LaVine will be part of Miami Pickleball Club, and AZ Drive welcomes world chess champion Magnus Carlsen. MLP Founder Steve Kuhn said, “It is thrilling to add this collection of influential athletes and entertainers to Major League Pickleball’s team ownership groups. Their ability to reach young fans will be a key component in helping MLP…

The APP Tour’s fifth tournament of 2023, the APP Vlassic Classic, has kicked off at the Sawyer Point Pickleball Complex in Cincinnati, Ohio. Amateur events started Tuesday, May 9, with pro events starting today with men’s and women’s pro singles. Over 900 players registered for the event, including about 200 pros, who will all participate in the standard APP format singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competition. Of the 200 pros playing, there are several you should be looking out for when watching the tournament – Let’s dive in! Men’s Pro Singles View this post on Instagram A post shared by…

An exciting new addition to the rapidly-growing number of L.A. pickleball facilities has been announced. The Santa Monica Pickleball Center at 2501 Wilshire Boulevard is now fully open after an investment of about $250,000. Four Illuminated Outdoor Courts The new center is on the same premises as the well-known Santa Monica Tennis Center (SMTC) and features four brand-new outdoor pickleball courts, complete with floodlighting. The facilities will also include a 2,000-square-foot retail area with the “most-varied inventory of pickleball equipment in all of Los Angeles.” The project is the brainchild of SMTC founder and owner Jon Neeter who joined up…

If you’ve been tapped into professional pickleball lately, you know there’s been some serious debate about paddle testing and legality. Paddle delamination scandals are popping up left and right, and tensions seem to be rising between players during big tournaments because of the current uncertainty surrounding paddle testing protocols. But how does a paddle get to the point where it’s certified by USA Pickleball (USAP) for tournament play? What does the certification process look like? We were able to sit down with Mitchell Chapman, the Director of Digital Marketing for PCKL, a pickleball equipment brand that has several paddle models…