A Roller Coaster End to the Year

30 Under 30. Fan Favorite Out For '23. Pro Game Preview.

November 30, 2022

It's the last newsletter in November. 2023 is just around the corner and we're left with more questions than answers.

  • When will I receive my MLP-PPA Gold Card?

  • Are there even more team events on the horizon?

  • Who will partner with ALW with the tragic Leigh Waters injury?

  • Rob and Stone say four top pros might be prohibited from playing MLP?

Time to get some answers.

Dink Like JW Johnson

The untrained eye might have missed it.

JW Johnson changed his dink game earlier in the year. His Florida Smash teammate Travis Rettenmaieir noticed, and just like us, wants to dink like JW.

Most players bend their wrist back and hit a forehand dink like they would a tennis volley. JW elects to curl his hand in the other direction. Were talking flexion instead of extension for you PT's out there.

JW ain't holding the paddle like a stop sign. He's scooping dinks like a birthday cake remix at Cold Stone Creamery. His grip remains the same but he alters his wrist position and swing path accordingly.

This change allows Johnson to hold the kitchen line when balls bounce near his feet. Instead of taking a step back to get behind the ball, he can stand his ground and scoop the ball back into play.

Whether you like it, love it, or gotta have it, this is a technique you should consider adding to your game. Watch Travis Rettenmaier demonstrate the pros and cons here.

The World Pickleball Tour is bringing the camp experience to a whole new level.

From February 13-16, 2023, celebrity coach Matt Manasse and the WPT team are inviting guests to the coast of Mexico for the first in a series of extraordinary experiences that have been meticulously designed for those who share our love for the sport.

This luxury tourism opportunity features a 4 day, 3 night stay hosted at the Esperanza, a seaside resort nestled into Cabo’s Punta Ballena coastline in Los Cabos, Mexico, and will be jam-packed with a top-class Pickleball camp, excursion opportunities, beach lounging, fine dining, private happy hours, and more.

Registration is now open and will fill quickly. Reserve your spot now.

No Mama Waters in '23 Season

We couldn’t have known it then, but when Leigh Waters suffered a leg injury at Nationals a couple of weeks ago, it was a season-ending one.

Leigh took to Instagram this week with an update: she won’t play professionally in 2023. “I have completely torn my ACL in my right knee, and will be undergoing surgery in a couple of weeks,” she posted.

“Rest assured, I will still coach Anna Leigh and a couple of other players. My voice will be heard during my recovery next year. Pickleball has THE BEST fans and I just really appreciate each and every one of you!”

We wish you a speedy recovery, Leigh! We know you’ll crush it in 2024. 🤘

30 under 30

It's not all bad news in the Waters household. Anna Leigh Waters was selected to Forbes 30 Under 30 in sports. She joins some of the most prolific names in the sports world including Joel Embiid, George Kittle, Scottie Scheffler, and Connor McDavid.

Waters is the youngest on the list by nearly a decade. Pickleball fans appreciate Anna Leigh's level of dominance in 2022 and it's time the rest of the sports world takes note.

PPA Hertz National Championship

Step aside tennis, the PPA Tour is taking over the USTA National Campus in Orlando. More than 1000 registered players will arrive paddle in-hand, all seeking to bring home some hardware.

With Leigh on the DL, Anna Leigh Waters will again pair with Catherine Parenteau. ALW is on the hunt for yet another triple crown in 2022. Ben Johns seeks a crown of his own, but it will be his brother Collin that can finish #1 in the men's doubles rankings. A fifth place finish or better will land Collin Johns in the top spot. He is 150 points ahead of Ben, having played in more events this year.

MLP Champions Irina Tereschenko and Parris Todd will find out if the BLQK magic can carry them to a PPA medal. Lea Jansen and Jackie Kawamoto pair up for the first time; a true threat to reach Championship Sunday.

Keep an eye out for Tyler Loong and AJ Koller in men's doubles. An uncommon pairing with mountains of talent and just as much unorthodox play.

The stream goes live at 10am EST Thursday - Sunday. Tune in on PPATV or Tennis Channel.

APP Sunmed Mesa Open

Down in Arizona, APP's finest will take the courts for the last time in 2022 during the $50K Elite Series event at Bell Bank Park in Mesa.

JW Johnson aims to cap off a career year on a high note. He and Dekel Bar have partnered again and are favorites in the men's doubles field. Dylan Frazier and DJ Young aim to disrupt a title run with a new partnership of their own.

The men's singles field is crawling with talent. APP Houston Champ Hunter Johnson could continue his ascent with a win in AZ. A rare Gabriel Joseph sighting could shake up the APP hierarchy.

The stacked women's doubles field includes Simone Jardim with Jorja Johnson, Andrea Koop with Lauren Stratman, and Lina Padegimaite with Vivienne David.

Players will battle for more than just a title in Mesa. Tour points earned this weekend can help pros qualify for stipends in the 2023 season. With the pro pickleball scene in limbo, players need to collect all of the leverage possible for what is sure to be an exciting off-season.Tune in on APPTV starting at 10 am MT.

Rumors are swirling in the pro game as both tours prepare for 2023. Rob and Stone address the hottest topics including the team exclusivity clause that could prevent four top pros from playing MLP.

A can't miss episode of It Feels Right was released this morning. Listen and subscribe here.

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