Hey there reader 👋

Welcome back to the latest edition of the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

🤩 When four pro athletes face off
🤾 How to beat a tennis player
🎱 2024: Pickleball paddle predictions
👶 Babies play pickleball in Super Bowl ad of the year

🤩 When four pro athletes face off

This week’s epic point was caught last Saturday at The Pickleball Celebrity Showdown on the Plaza Hotel’s rooftop in Las Vegas..

This particular game saw Larry Fitzgerald (football), Casey Patt (volleyball), Tyler Wagner (baseball) and pickleball’s own Patrick Kawka face-off with an ATP (around the post) winner!

To check out this week’s epic points, click the images ▶️

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 🙌

🤾 How to beat a tennis player

Rahul, Pickleheads community manager and APP Top 150 player, is back once again with this week’s top tip…

This is a singles tip for players who generally have no racquet sport experience.

I had zero tennis experience heading into pickleball, and strategy is something I have had to develop over time.

I realized early on I may never have the same consistency on my groundstrokes compared to some tennis players...

They've been at it for years, whereas most of us new to the game of racquet sports are still trying to learn the fundamentals.

Especially at higher levels, inexperienced racquet sport players may fail playing pro tennis players in singles pickleball.

However, there is a way to beat them...by using a pure pickleball strategy!

Rather than driving your third shots and playing traditional power single shots, try dropping your third shots and crashing, engaging your opponent in a cat and mouse battle...

Essentially, a dink rally on a singles court.

When you drop the ball in the kitchen, you can close the space on the court very fast.

Making it very difficult for the players to pass you with a groundstroke...

Attempting to hit a finishing groundstroke at the net often leads to errors and mistakes.

Especially when both players are at the net.

By using this strategy, you can crash and move the other player around with dinks, or easily volley and finish the point if they try and pass you.

Here’s a video of Rahul talking you through this week’s tip 👇

🫂 Do you play in round robins?

We’re rebuilding our round robin tool from the ground up and would love to hear from you!

Check out our BRAND NEW paddle quiz! I’m really excited about this one…

I get asked every week for paddle recs but it’s hard without knowing your playstyle and needs…

So enter the quiz - answer 7 quick questions and I’ll recommend the 3 best for you. I tested over 80 paddles last year but only pick from the top 30.

Are you playing with the best paddle for your game? Find out below 👇

🎱 2024: Pickleball paddle predictions

It’s amazing to think, over 900 new paddles launched in 2023! With carbon paddles becoming all the rage…

As we launch into 2024, the question on everyone's mind is, "What's next?"

Well, here’s my best guess…

1. Paddles will continue to spin and hit harder

The race for more power and spin inspired paddle brands in 2023.

As the game speeds up and becomes more technical, expect 2024's innovations to keep pace, challenging USA Pickleball to balance tech advancements with fair play.

2. Big brands will catch up to the smaller players

Last year, newcomers like Bread & Butter and Six Zero led the charge with raw carbon fiber.

This year, giants such as Franklin, Adidas, and HEAD are poised to leap forward, and showcase their expertise. Like Adidas' customizable Metalbone and Franklin's impressive FS Tour Series.

3. It won’t be all about raw carbon fiber

While raw carbon fiber took center stage in 2023, this year promises another material revolution!

I’ve talked a lot about Kevlar, Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy S, for example. And I do think you get more performance blending Kevlar and raw carbon fiber.

This year, though, we’ll see brands experiment with other performance materials, including other grades of carbon fiber, like Proton Paddles.

4. Quiet and performance won’t be mutually exclusive

2024 is set to debunk the myth that quiet paddles can't pack a punch.

We’ve already seen what Gearbox can do with the super popular Pro Power Series. It’s one of the hardest hitting paddles here in 2024!

But, I predict we’ll also see high performance brands engineer quiet paddles…without compromising performance.

I think it’s fair to say, 2024 is going to be an exciting year for paddles!

But, more importantly, what do you think 2024 has in store for paddles? Reply and let us know.

Above Austin Lakeside, TX

You’ll find this week’s dream court as part of this luxury lakefront estate on Lake Austin, TX. Just minutes from Downtown Austin. The best bit, it’s available on AirBnB!

Imagine booking this place out for a few days of non-stop pickleball. Then, in the evening, sipping cocktails on the oversized balcony porch with daybed swings taking in the tranquil lake view!

Pure bliss, right? 🍹😍

The paddle of 2024 (so far)?

I have a new go-to paddle. Not what you’re expecting…

It’s the Pro Line Energy S from Pickleball Apes.

I’ll be honest, I was NOT expecting to find a new favorite paddle while testing it back in December. But I just can’t put it down.

Why? This paddle is unique – it’s made with kevlar and raw carbon fiber.

To me, Kevlar softens the edges of raw carbon fiber – and that has a big impact on your game.

It hits hard and has some of the biggest spin I’ve played with. But when you need to slow down, it has that plush feel to get you back in the point.

You can hit those buttery smooth drop shots that get you to the kitchen in a single go 🤌

I predict Kevlar paddles will break out in 2024. And right now, Pickleball Apes makes the best one.

If you’re an intermediate who needs a paddle that does a bit of everything, this is my pick for you.

Because if I show up to a 4.0+ advanced session and can only grab one paddle… this is it.

I’m also happy to share a special 10% off with code PICKLEHEADS. Which takes the price down to a super-reasonable $137.70.

Hope you have as much fun with this paddle as I do :)

10% off code PICKLEHEADS auto-applied in the link above

Pink Filth Valentine’s Day Deal

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