A Terrifying Pickleball Injury

Pro upsets. A badass Aussie. Better spin.

January 13, 2023

This issue is a real head-turner: we've got a man who recently suffered (and recovered) from an unusual pickleball related injury; some upsets in the pro scene; and an intro to one of the coolest pro players you probably haven't heard of yet.

What more could you want? Ahh, right, free paddles for the rest of your waking days

Well, you're in luck! Today is the last day to enter the coolest giveaway in pickleball: two lucky winners will receive free paddles for life. Click here to enter.

Let's go!

Aim Small, Miss Small

At the elite level, it is not enough to just make contact with the ball.

Instead of swinging to hit the center of the ball, pros will aim to make contact with specific areas of it, depending on the shot they're trying to hit. This might sound obvious, but how often does it really cross your mind on the court?

For a topspin shot, contact should be focused on the back half of the ball below the midline. 

To curve the ball left to right, the contact point would be focused on the side of the ball instead of the center.

This technique helps accelerate the spin rate and exaggerate the motion of the ball. Once you master making contact, you can fine-tune where contact is made.

Watching the ball is always important, but next time you're on the court, take a closer look at where you're swinging.

Athletic Wear Designed for Pickleball Players

AVI is elevating Pickleball by creating exceptional athletic wear. They believe everyone — from professional athletes to casual enthusiasts — deserves well-constructed, expertly designed clothing made just for their sport.

With pockets created specifically to hold pickleballs, comfortable fabrics, and ultra-lightweight feel, AVI is elevated performance wear for both on AND off the court!

Scary Times on the Court

We’ve all seen some head-turning points, but this is ridiculous.

A 35-year-old man described as “super fit” nearly died recently after turning his head too fast while playing pickleball. Yes, you read that correctly.

“I was just playing a regular game, nothing strenuous,” the father of four told The New York Post.

[If you’re squeamish with medical stuff, scroll past the next bit].

When he turned his head to the left quickly to track a ball, he heard a ‘pop’ in the back of his neck. Then, a barrage of vertigo, vision changes, and extreme nausea.

From the emergency room to a CT scan to intensive care and an MRI, he was finally given the lowdown: by turning his head too sharply, he dissected an artery, leading to not one, not two, but three strokes in the part of the brain responsible for coordination.

Thankfully, this story has a happy ending. He didn’t lose any of his physical function, and he’s determined to return to pickleball – especially after his local picklers banded together to help him raise funds for his extensive medical bills (you can contribute to a GoFundMe here).

He says only one thing will change: "I'm going to take it easy out there."

'The Masters' Shine in Rancho Mirage

The Masters broadcast kicked off with tennis Legend Sam Querrey making his pro pickleball debut on center court.

Querrey's game proved to be lacking against Alex Neumann, he dropped his first match 11-3, 11-3. He snagged a win in the consolation bracket before being eliminated in the next round.

The spotlight was instead stolen by three college tennis converts that started in pro pickleball last year:

  • Federico Staksrud went 4-0 and will play for gold on Championship Sunday

  • Connor Garnett wiped out JW Johnson and Ryan Sherry on his way to a 4th place finish

  • Christian Alshon upset the #2 seed Tyson McGuffin

Despite the tennis wave crashing hard again, pickleball's "Masters" Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters both conquered the day unscathed and are the favorites to take gold on Sunday.

Waters will play Lea Jansen who defeated bronze medalist Catherine Parenteau in their semifinal matchup. Dylan Frazier scrapped his way to the podium and starts his year with a PPA bronze.

The tournament continues today with mixed doubles action.

A MESSAGE FROM MARLOW:

The Pillow for Side Sleepers

The ideal sleeping position is on the side, but without the proper support, a good morning is not in the forecast. With an adjustable design, the Marlow Pillow adapts to give side sleepers the support they need. It's made with a proprietary fill of memory foam and polyester fiber made using NASA technology and a unique zippered design for easy adjustability, allowing users to find the exact loft profile that fits them.

At the same time, cooling-infused memory foam and ventilated zipper gussets help create better airflow and regulate your body temperature, so you stay cool during the night, while its antimicrobial shell repels unwelcomed guests like dust mites and bacteria.

The pillow has been perfected over eight years with numerous research, surveys, and prototypes, but to ensure satisfaction, it's also backed by Brooklinen's best-in-class customer service and a risk-free warranty.

APP Punta Gorda Singles Recap

Down in South Florida, Parris Todd and Hunter Johnson breezed their way through women's and men's singles fields. Todd will meet Megan Fudge on Championship Sunday for the first time in 2023.

Johnson was one match away from playing his twin brother Yates Johnson in the final. Yates fell to former Venezuelan pro tennis player Jhonnatan Medina Alvarez in the bronze medal match.

Medina Alvarez had a strong showing in two pro events last year and could become public enemy number 1 in the Johnson household if he takes out Hunter on Sunday.

Ewa Radzikowska picked up another APP medal after crashing onto the scene late last year. Fomer tennis pro Noah Rubin ended his day with a winning record (3-2) but fell well short of the podium.

Only Saturday and Sunday will be broadcasted from Punta Gorda. Championship Sunday will receive a special showing on CBS Sports Network 4:30-6:30 pm ET.

Meet Australia's MLP Challenger

Sarah Burr, the 36-year-old from Australia, is currently the only Aussie in Major League Pickleball. But at one point, she could have been a tennis phenom.

“I saw how much work had to be put into it and I walked away,” she told Brisbane Times recently, explaining she always felt regret watching people she beat in tournaments go on to do well in pro tennis.

But within two years of discovering pickleball, she decided to put in the work to rise to the MLP’s Challenger Level.

“I was juggling pickleball training and teaching until I decided to cut back and became a relief teacher so I could start playing tournaments,” she said.

She racked up titles in several countries and has been cutting her teeth on the pro tours stateside.

Unsurprisingly, she was soon drafted to the AZ Drive team owned by Larry Fitzgerald, Dierks Bentley, & others.

We look forward to tracking her progress in MLP this year. But her story demonstrates the immense level of dedication pros have for the sport, regardless of how far they travel to play it.

Burr is also a mother of two and is planning on living in the US for a time to accommodate her tour schedule. Though they are based in the US, we’re sure moms like Callie Jo Smith & Julie Johnson can relate. These players put new, badass meaning to the term “pickleball mom.”

FitAid

Selkirk Signs Catherine Parenteau

Catherine Parenteau, one of the most well-known players in pro pickleball, finalized a sponsorship contract with leading pickleball brand, Selkirk Sport. In what promises to be an unprecedented year for pickleball coverage & global intrigue, she joins a deep roster of athletes under the company banner.

Headlines & Quick Hits

Highlights

Homecourt Havens

Watch a firefight by the fireside. Who needs a yard when you can put in this magnificent slab? Bonus points for the professional lights.

A review from the Dink Fam...

What did you think of today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Reply

or to participate.