Happy Monday. Singles may still play second fiddle to doubles, but things just got a little more interesting on Thursdays.

Two new singles champs topped the PPA podium in yesterday's finale. One is a vet who has chased the crown for years, the other is fresh on the pro scene and taking the game by storm.

In This Issue:

🧠 Coverage for the 4th shot
 🥇 New singles champs
🎾 On the court with Snow White

Onward.

PPA Takeya Showcase Results

Cover Me

It happens in every buddy cop movie. Mid-gunfight, cop 1 yells to cop 2: 'COVER ME' as he makes a run for it.

• The pickleball version of 'cover me' happens on the 4th shot

• Your partner returns serve and hightails it up to the kitchen line

• As they’re on the run, you provide cover as your opponent plays a third shot drop (or drive)

As a general (but unwritten) rule, the player parked at the kitchen line can eat a little more real estate on the 4th. They're better off taking the shot than the partner on the move.

However, this is different in every partnership.

We’ve all played with the fresh-legged youngin’ who can transition in a flash. And so, it's good practice for the player on the move to call off their partner if they've reached the line and are well positioned to take the 4th.

In fact, this can offer some advantages. If you or your partner is particularly agile, keep these things in mind:

• The player in transition has the optimal vantage point: they can see the ball, their partner’s position, and more of the court

• The player in transition has the obligation to communicate and call their partner off when necessary

• The opponent is likely to play their third shot toward the player in transition (more open space, it looks safer). If the player in transition is fast enough, there’s an opportunity to intercept a lofted third shot or a drive and surprise the opponent with an aggressive shot

If your partner is *really fast, maybe they can even erne the third shot. Ok, we can’t all be Ben Johns.

Magic Touch

The all new Gravity series paddles from HEAD come with a massive sweetspot shape that combines the power you want with a soft impact feel you need.

The Gravity comes with a massive sweetspot combining power and touch. Gravity Lite offers the same design, but at a slightly lighter and more maneuverable weight.

Gravity LH features a longer handle, while the Gravity SH’s longer paddle face creates an even larger sweet spot and increased power potential.

Click here to choose the right model for you.

New Residents in Title Town

Championship Sunday in Los Cab had a few new firsts. Two new members joined the rarefied PPA singles champion ranks. Their paths to the title however are very very different.

• Gabriel Joseph has strived for the PPA title since the tour's inception. He's one of the most talented singles players in the game and likely the most entertaining to watch.
  
  Joseph has come close to a title before, but remained trapped in the large looming Ben Johns shadow.
   

• Hurricane Tyra Black played her first pro match in March. Less than 5 short months later, she has her first title.

In the doubles game, JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier finally earned a Championship Sunday win over the Johns bros. Collin Johns was hobbled with an Achilles injury that was all too evident during the match.

Ben Johns attempted to play what was essentially 2 vs 1 and even managed to steal game three, but the young guns had too much firepower and closed the match 11-6, 11-4, 10-12, 11-4.

Anna Leigh Waters had another dominant Sunday and cleaned up in mixed and women's doubles. She and Anna Bright remain undefeated on the year.

The next stop on the tour is a landmark in pickle history. It's the Tournament of Champions in Brigham City, UT.

Rating Pickleball…in the 70s

Last week, we told you about Dick Squires, whose 1978 book on obscure racquet sports predicted pickleball’s viral qualities.

At the end of his book, he rates each of the sports he discussed against tennis and racquetball using 25 categories (“Year Round Play;” “Organized Pro Tours;” “Family Sport;” etc.), assigning scores from 0-10 in each category.

We couldn’t help but analyze his marks on pickleball, both for their overall accuracy and to understand how the sport has changed in over 40 years.

Dick assigned pickleball 10s in the following categories:

• Indoor Facilities

• Singles & Doubles

• Non-exclusive Appeal

• Reasonable Court Fees

• Importance of Stamina, Reflexes, Natural Ability, & Power

• Men & Women

• Family Sport

But which categories earned 0s? There were more than you’d think, but considering the book came out in the late 70s, these all make sense:

• Paying Spectators

• Organized Pro Tours

• Public Awareness

• Teaching Professionals

Other low-scoring categories include Press & Television Coverage, Active Promotion, Support of Manufacturers, and National & International Competition.

Despite sensing pickleball’s growth potential, Dick rated four other sports (besides tennis & racquetball) higher: Squash Rackets, Table Tennis, Platform Tennis, & Badminton.

Clearly, the main reasons pickleball didn’t rank higher on Dick’s list had to do with the sport’s public exposure and organization.

But in 2023, he’d have no choice but to re-rank each of those 0 categories as 10s – ok, maybe a 9 for Paying Spectators.

Stay in the game with OS1st

The Official Sock of Major League Pickleball, OS1st compression socks are designed for comfort, injury prevention and improved recovery.

A Growing Number of Pros trust OS1st including Jay Devilliers, Jessie Irvine, James Ignatowich, and Brooke Buckner.

Hear what “Big Poppa Jimmy” said about the sock’s comfort and durability, “I finally found the one sock that can handle split steps as aggressive as mine.”

To learn more about OS1st products visit www.os1st.com.

Tales from the Court, Part 6

This unusual pickleball experience comes to us from Terry L. Send in your own interesting pickleball stories here.

Headlines & Quick Hits

• The fun way to invest: real, tangible assets

• APP Tour targets yet another country in its global expansion: Spain

• You're the best on your team...so practice like it

• ICYMI: Two keys to better overhead smashes in pickleball

Highlights

• Another insane rally from this weekend

• You mean…this isn’t sped up?

• Watch out for pickleball try-hards

• Just smacking the ball

A review from the Dink Fam...