Pickleball fever is about to sweep Asia. The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) have announced the launch of PPA Asia and MLP Asia. This collaboration brings the sport’s top-level action to the world’s most populous continent starting in 2025. Why Asia? Simple: the region is a mecca for racket sports, and pickleball’s […]
How does that old saying go? You can’t appreciate the highs of life without seeing a few lows. When we told you about the player who was needlessly kicked in the head after a recent pickleball match, we were just as shocked to see a somewhat desensitized response to this shocking incident. Some commenters insinuated that the […]
Pickleball is booming across the United States…which, according to the latest SFIA research, is actually an understatement. But where does it thrive the most in North America? Based on the latest research from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), we’ve ranked the top states and cities for pickleball players: Top 5 States for Total […]
In pickleball, players often find themselves facing challenges in shot selection, particularly in three key situations: the bailout dink, the low mid-court drive, and premature cross-court attacks. The Bailout Dink The bailout dink occurs when a player is pulled wide and unable to set up properly for their shot, often attempting an aggressive cross-court shot […]
In one of the most electrifying weekends in pickleball history, the Dallas Flash etched their name into Major League Pickleball lore, claiming the 2024 Premier Level Championship. A perfect blend of youthful swagger and veteran precision, the Flash—featuring JW and Jorja Johnson, Tyra Black, and Augie Ge—toppled the top-seeded New Jersey 5s in a dramatic […]
It may be more satisfying for some pickleball players to hit a clean, hard winner down the line. But mastering dink strategy and dink placement is your fast track to leveling up your game. Let’s break it down with four proven tactics to dominate the NVZ (Non-Volley Zone). 1. Move It Around Predictability is your enemy. […]
When you hear the name Franklin Sports, baseball might be the first thing that comes to mind. After all, they’ve dominated that space for years with iconic products like their batting gloves used by MLB players. But they’ve made a name for themselves in pickleball, with a range of popular paddles and a carefully curated […]
Maybe this is why some rec players say they’ll never play in a pickleball tournament. While our sport is known for camaraderie, inclusiveness, and sportsmanship, an ugly incident marred a championship match this weekend during an advanced invitational tournament. As Peter Shonk and his partner celebrated a hard-fought victory, what should have been a moment of […]
The 2024 PPA Pickleball World Championships just wrapped up in Dallas, Texas, and of course The Kitchen team was there. We were joined by a record 3,507 players, and despite early weather concerns, Sunday’s medal rounds took place under perfect skies, setting the stage for a final showdown across five electrifying pro events. Here’s a look […]
For the third year in a row, pickleball has held its position as America’s fastest-growing sport. According to the 2024 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report by SFIA, participation surged by 51.8% between 2022 and 2023 alone, and an incredible 223.5% over the past three years. This rapid growth has brought the sport to a participation […]
