Pickleball: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Less than 18 months after announcing a partnership between UTR Sports, USA Pickleball, and the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour, this is a major shakeup in the ratings landscape.

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 4

How to Break 5.0: The 5 Pickleball Shots You Must Master Before 2026

The game is faster, more aggressive, and more competitive than it was even a year ago. If you're looking to level up in 2026, these five shots are non-negotiable.

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 4

Major League Pickleball Taps Owl AI to Automate Line Calls and Challenges for 2026 Season

Major League Pickleball (MLP) and Owl AI have announced a partnership headed into the 2026 season. Owl AI is bringing artificial intelligence to line calling in Major League Pickleball.

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 4

If You Keep Hitting Dinks into the Net, You're Probably Not Following Through Enough

Ever have one of those games where you just keep dumping easy dinks into the net? Yeah, us too. Maybe you're feeling extra nervous for some reason. Or your opponents are super aggressive at the kitchen line and you're struggling to keep up.

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 4

The UPA-A Is Open-Sourcing a Counter-Attack on Counterfeit Paddle Brands

'This issue has evolved into an existential threat to both the game and the legitimate business of paddle manufacturing' – Jason Aspes, President, UPA-A The United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A), the governing body of U.S.

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 3

The Key to a Killer Overhead: Angles, Not Power

Too many players focus on hitting harder instead of hitting smarter. The overhead isn't just about power; it's about placement, timing, and court geometry.

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 3

The Return Plus One: Mastering the Transition from Baseline to Kitchen Line

The return and fourth shots aren't glamorous; they're the shots that determine whether you're winning matches or wondering why you keep losing to players you think you should beat.

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 3

5 Simple Pickleball Tips That Actually Work (No Drilling Required)

You don't need to spend eight hours a week on the court to see improvement. Sometimes a mindset shift or a focus on one specific element is enough to move the needle.

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 3

Why Top Pros Are Turning to SLAMIT for Proven Performance Hydration

Gone are the days of the endless hydration and caffeination spin cycle. New pickleball-specific hydration brand SLAMIT has a better way – and a roster of top pros to prove it.

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 3

Anna Bright Agrees to 'Humble' The Dink’s Thomas Shields in Singles Match After Trash Talk Escalates

It all started with a simple chirp months back from PPA Tour CEO Connor Pardoe calling out The Dink founder's DUPR rating. Is Thomas Shields a 5.0 or not?

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 1

The Global Pickleball Alliance and Global Pickleball Rankings Formally Announced

A Global Pickleball Alliance (GPA) and Global Pickleball Rankings (GPR) have been announced by a group of pickleball tours/entities. The GPA’s mission

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 1

The Top Amateur Pickleball Players in the World Compete for $100,000 in Dallas

The 2025 Dink Minor League National Championships are headed to Dallas, Texas from December 3 to 7, bringing together the strongest amateur players in the sport.

Pickleball News / The Dink / December 1

Watch: Lifetime Dropped the Trailer for Its Pickleball Christmas Movie

We warned you this was coming, now here it is: the trailer for Lifetime's "A Pickleball Christmas" movie has officially dropped. And it's officially pretty cringey.

Pickleball News / The Dink / November 28

How to Hit 'The Kyle': The Sneaky Pickleball Shot That Makes Opponents Look Silly

It happens in an instant. If you're expecting it, it can still be difficult to defend. But if you're caught unaware? Forget about it. You've likely seen it, probably faced it a time or two in rec play.

Pickleball News / The Dink / November 28

Master the Push Drop: The Simplest Pickleball Shot the Pros Use to Dominate

In a sport where everyone's trying to hit harder, spin more, and execute increasingly complex shots, the push drop is a reminder that consistency and positioning often beat flash.

Pickleball News / The Dink / November 28

Simple Hack to Get More ATPs: Hit Your Dinks Out of the Air

Baiting your opponent into coughing up more ATP balls is an effective offensive tool to add to your arsenal. It's also just a lot of fun. You'd think that after years of analyzing pickleball strategy, coaches and players would've discovered some elaborate, multi-step system to dominate the kitchen.

Pickleball News / The Dink / November 27

Master the Forehand Dink: The Complete Technique Guide for Pickleball Players

Pro Ryan Fu walks through the mechanics, positioning, and strategic timing of one of pickleball's most underrated weapons. There's a moment in pickleball when everything clicks.

Pickleball News / The Dink / November 27

What Is a Dead Dink? The Gift Shot You Should Be Attacking Every Time

Think of a dead dink like a gift. Your opponent either made a mistake or gave you an opening. The question is: what are you going to do with it? One of the Internet's top teaching pros, Kyle Koszuta, has some advice on one of pickleball's most underrated offensive weapons: the dead dink attack.

Pickleball News / The Dink / November 26

The Hottest Pickleball Social Mixer Is Coming to Miami

After packed houses in New York City and Chicago, the Courted series is heading south for its next stop. Miami, you’re up. On December 13, we’re taking over Sip N’ Pickle in the heart of Wynwood for an evening that blends play, music, community, and a little Miami energy you can’t really fake.

Pickleball News / The Dink / November 25