If you're rooting for the USA during this year's Summer Olympics, you're probably having a good time.

As of this morning, the US Olympic team leads the pack with 30 total medals.

But if you're rooting for pickleball in the Olympics...well, you’re going to have to wait a while. Though our sport still has interesting connections to this year's event. Read on below.

Also in this issue:

• Early candidate for highlight of the year

• Keys to better blocks

• Unpacking Collin’s MLP opinions

Let’s cook. 🧑‍🍳

THE KITCHEN OPEN

Registration Price for The Kitchen Open Increases TONIGHT at Midnight!

We’re less than TWO MONTHS AWAY from our biggest event of the year, The Kitchen Open Austin, set for September 26-29 at the Polo Tennis & Fitness Club in Austin, TX.

Entry to the tournament also includes access to the Finals Party at The Kitchen’s new downtown Austin headquarters, where Open Division semi-finalists will compete for $25,000, the largest cash prize in amateur tournament history!

Some brackets are ALREADY 80% FULL and registration price goes up TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT, so register here today!

HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH

The Viral Point with Over 3M Views!

It takes a lot to come back from the brink when you're facing down the Johns Bros.

But JW Johnson & Augie Ge did it at MLP Salt Lake City last week, and this point basically sums up the match (& everything we love about this sport).

Yeah, the patience and reset capability is unreal. But let's call a spade a spade: this is the best hands battle of the year.

POLL

In honor of National Pickleball Day next week, we thought we'd ask you about what motivates you to keep hitting the courts.

FEATURED STORY

Pickleball's Inclusivity In Action

Fans of pickleball think of their sport as "accessible," and for good reason. It's demonstrably accessible in many nuanced ways:

• It's quick to learn

• It doesn't require tons of mobility to have fun playing

• It's cheap to pick up

• Its open play culture is, generally, pretty welcoming

Critically, though, pickleball is very inclusive. And it's only becoming more so:

➝ The Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living provides adaptive sports opportunities to those with disabilities.

They've hosted events where specialized wheelchairs, often costing over $3,000, are provided those interested in trying pickleball & other sports.

➝ The Town of Hempstead in New York has unveiled an adaptive pickleball court in Forest City Park.

The court is larger than standard courts, measuring 74 feet long and 44 feet wide, with additional space surrounding it allowing users to switch from their standard wheelchairs to their sports chairs.

As local governments and organizations continue to prioritize accessibility & inclusivity, pickleball stands to become a model of why those investments matter.

Check out Long Island's first adaptive pickleball court here.

INSTRUCTION

Saying 'No' to Speedups

You're at the ready, standing at the kitchen line, and your opponent speeds up.

Blocking that speedup is a crucial skill, since you're not always going to be the one starting hands battles.

Here are some tips for slowing the ball down:

1. Keep a Loose Grip: A relaxed grip on your paddle helps you absorb the ball’s impact more effectively & maintain control.

2. Angle Up: Position your paddle face slightly upwards to ensure your block clears the net and stays in play.

3. Adjust Your Contact Point: Aim to make contact with the ball closer to your body rather than reaching too far out. This position enhances your control and accuracy.

4. Use the Paddle as a Cushion: Instead of punching forward, use your paddle like a trampoline. Let it absorb the ball’s pace and gently redirect it.

But should you always block? Of course not. Some balls are better to counter. Learn when to block vs. counter here.

Subscribe Catherine's YouTube channel here for more pro insights.

TRENDING

Collin Johns, ranked world #5 on the PPA Tour, is rumored to say he "despise(s) MLP for a variety of reasons." 

That's a bold thing to allegedly say: "despise." In fairness, it seems as though Collin may have said it in a private email and the ensuing statement was leaked.

He provides a laundry list of reasons why he "despises" Major League Pickleball, some of which are highly controversial.

Rather than sling mud at Collin or hype up any part of his statement, we thought we'd keep calm and really look at what he's saying.

We unpack the statement here.

EVENTS

OluKai x The Kitchen SoCal Smash

If you’re near Los Angeles, join us for the OluKai x The Kitchen Pickleball SoCal Smash event on August 10th at the Griffin Club in Los Angeles!

It's going to be a day filled with fun, non-competitive play, and good vibes. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, this event is perfect for pickleball enthusiasts of all levels.

Schedule:

• 2-3pm: Instructional time available with pros

• 3-4pm: Liveball

• 4-6pm: Open play

Attendees must be in athletic wear, including closed toe shoes, to be able to participate in pickleball play. Register for free here!

GEAR

From Your Wishlist

In last week's issue, we asked you what piece of pickleball gear you'll most likely buy next.

We weren't surprised to see paddles high on the priority list. But we thought it was interesting that, above all else, the most desired item among all of you was a good pair of shoes.

Nearly 30% of you told us you were likely going to buy a pair of kicks for the court.

So...need we remind you about our favorite pickleball shoes ever?

When we spoke with OluKai earlier this year, we were considerably impressed by their design prowess. They don’t just make revamped tennis shoes, they use input from pickleball-exclusive players to make each design decision.

If you’re looking for shoes, we’ve got you covered.

NEWS

So You’re Upset We’re Not in the Olympics…

…Us, too. But Team USA tennis player Coco Gauff isn’t convinced.

She was asked about pickleball by an Olympic influencer, and the response was cold at best.

Meanwhile, it’s almost like pickleball IS really in Paris. Several MLP team owners are also competing in this year’s games. Let’s hope they put a good word in for us.

And if you’re wondering why pickleball ISN’T in the Olympics yet, there are many answers to that question. We review the most important ones here.

QUICK HITS

• Challenge NOT Accepted: So, uh, Ryan Sherry...still want to take on ALW after this?

• Health Risk: The muscle most prone to pickleball injury

• Impressive: Pssh, And they say it's not a real sport...

• Face It: Player literally blows ball over the net during point

• Watch Out: Pickleball saves woman’s eyesight

REFERRALS

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