😲 This guy is a pickleball highlight machine!

The Smash just gets it right

There’s a moment in every match when your shoes either work with you—or against you.

I’ve worn pairs that slipped on indoor courts, pinched my toes, or just felt cooked after a month. But the Tyrol Smash? It’s been a different story.

They’re built for the way we actually move on a pickleball court—quick side steps, sudden stops, hard pushes off the line. I stay balanced, supported, and never have to think twice about what’s on my feet.

The traction’s solid, no matter the surface, and the ventilation actually works—my feet stay cool even when the game heats up.

Comfort? All-day. No break-in. No blisters.

I’ve gone through a lot of gear. These ones are staying in the rotation. And you can save 10% on Tyrol Pickleball Shoes with code PICKLEHEADS.

🎾 Tennis players draw the line (literally) in turf war

In a wild escalation of the pickleball vs. tennis rivalry, a group of players at Hermon Park in Los Angeles physically drew a rope line down the middle of a shared court—to keep pickleballers out of “their” territory.

The park has no permanent pickleball courts, so players have been using tape and portable nets to make do.

But tensions reached a boiling point when tennis players installed a rope barrier to block pickleball from encroaching on their side. Things got so bad that the city had to step in and assign usage hours for each sport.

The real kicker? Despite the drama, everyone technically wants the same thing: more dedicated space to play.

Our take? Instead of taping off turf wars, let’s build more courts—and build community while we’re at it. Pickleball, tennis, paddle… there’s room for everyone when we focus on sharing space and growing the games together.

🤨 Pickleball isn’t named after a dog: The real story behind the moniker

Pickleball was invented in the 1960s—but even the founders can’t agree on exactly when.

And as for the name? Let’s just say the dog vs. boat debate is still going strong…

💥 Highly-anticipated pickleball documentary to debut this week

Dreambreaker, the highly-anticipated pickleball documentary, drops this week–Friday April 11th.

Set to premiere on truTV and streaming on the Max platform, Dreambreaker serves an inside look at a sport that’s gone from obscure to hugely popular in a few short years.

🏓 36 hours of nonstop pickleball?

The Pickle Breakers are going for a Guinness World Record this weekend in Texas.

They're playing for more than a title: the event supports Taylor’s Gift Foundation and raises awareness for grief and mental health.

FYI – the current Guinness World Record is 34 hours and 5 minutes.

😢 Four new pickleball courts closed due to $11k damage

Less than a full year since the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Department opened eight new pickleball courts at Washington Park but four of them are already closed.

Spin lovers, this one’s for you

If you’re the kind of player who lives off heavy topspin, the Gearbox GX2 Elongated, which launches today, brings a lot to the table.

I wrapped up my full review just in time.

I must say, the spin is excellent—especially on drops and topspin drives. I was hitting 50% pace shots that still dipped hard at my opponent’s feet.

Power’s solid, too. Not quite on par with the Gearbox Power Pro, but I was getting enough pace to win points with my drive game.

And at the kitchen, pop-ups were easy to put away without even taking a full swing.

However, this paddle isn’t super forgiving. And the head-heavy weighting might wear on your arm during longer sessions.

Plus, there’s a break-in period–out of the box, it’s stiff. But after a few sessions, the feel softens up and touch shots become much more comfortable.

Overall, I rate it a solid 4.5/5.

At $269.99, it sits at the top end of the market. But if you're a player who values spin and reach—and you’re okay with a short break-in window—the GX2 would be a great fit for you.

Read Stephen’s full review here