🧊 The deadliest drop shot

This week’s epic point is over in just a few seconds after one of the nastiest drop shots you’ll ever see.

🥶 It’s ice cold 👇

Have a filthy point caught on cam? 📸

Reply to this email or submit yours to [email protected]. The most epic one will feature in next week’s newsletter!

And if we pick your submission, we’ll send you a free Pickleheads t-shirt 🙌

+479%

Pickleball participation has grown 479% in the last five years, from 4.2 million players in 2020 to 24.3 million in 2025. That’s absolutely meteoric.
(SFIA, 2026)

🤩 Pickleball has officially entered its reality TV era

Last week, The PPA Tour launched PARTNERS, a six-part docuseries following life behind the scenes of pro pickleball. It’s streaming on Prime Video, PickleballTV, YouTube, and a bunch of other platforms.

This isn’t just match highlights and paddle talk.

The series dives into rivalries, relationships, breakups, contracts, pressure, and the weird reality of a sport where everyone trains together… then try to beat each other on Sunday afternoon.

Big names featured include Anna Leigh Waters, Ben Johns, Zane Navratil, Parris Todd, and Hunter Johnson.

And honestly? I kind of get why pickleball is leaning into this stuff now.

A few years ago, people laughed at the idea of pro pickleball even existing. Now we’ve got million-dollar investment deals, packed crowds, streaming contracts, and a reality series following players around like it’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive.

Part of me thinks it’s brilliant for growing the sport. Part of me worries we’re about six months away from pickleball players throwing cocktails at each other in a Miami rooftop bar.

😳 Tampa man spends 3 weeks in jail over court dispute

A Tampa man has just been released from jail after three weeks.

The saga started years ago when he built what neighbors called a full-blown pickleball compound behind his house. We’re talking courts, bright lights, fencing, guesthouses, and nonstop play.

The problem? According to the city, much of it wasn’t properly approved.

🇮🇳 India sets sights on PPA Tour supremacy

With rising stars, a rapidly growing talent pool, international medals, and growing representation on the PPA Tour, Indian pickleball has set its sights on achieving global supremacy in less than two years.

🏓 Kentucky just made pickleball a varsity high school sport

Kentucky has officially sanctioned pickleball as a varsity high school sport starting in the 2027–28 school year, making it one of the first states to offer official state championships.

A few years ago, schools were barely introducing pickleball in PE classes. Now kids could genuinely be competing for state titles in it. Wild how fast this sport keeps growing.

🇺🇸 USA Pickleball Wheelchair National Championships

• 📍 Peak Pickleball | Colorado Springs, CO

• 📅 June 19–21

• 🏢 Indoor hardcourt facility

• 💲 Tournament fee: $50

Registration is now open for the 2026 USA Pickleball Wheelchair National Championships —a national event bringing together wheelchair athletes from across the country to compete, connect, and be part of something bigger.

Divisions Offered:

• Doubles – Friday, June 19

• Hybrid – Saturday, June 20

• Singles – Sunday, June 21

This championship is designed to create a true national platform for wheelchair athletes, whether you’re a seasoned competitor or exploring tournament play for the first time.

Registration closes June 8th, register today!

Fresh takes, spicy debates, and the latest hot paddles & gear: catch up on our latest Court Talk highlights:

• 🥤 An electrolyte mix built for the heat of summer pickleball

• 😂 The part of practice nobody enjoys… fixed

• 🫶 The recovery habit that makes me a better pickleball player

• 👑 We just crowned a new king of spin

Skipped a scroll or two? No worries — here are the last few editions we sent your way:

• 🤾 Stop reaching. Start controlling.

• 🤯 Seriously! This point is UNBELIEVABLE.

• 🤾 Hit perfect resets with these 3 pointers

• 🚫 Controversial court split plan sparks HUGE backlash