The UPA-A has made it clear: There is no place for intentional headshots on the PPA Tour or in Major League Pickleball.

Fans are pushing back against a new rule penalizing intentional shots above the shoulders—but is this really a common issue, or are they overreacting?

We break it down below.

Also in this issue:

• Old school dink battle with crazy ending 🎯 

• The pickleball movie is almost here 🎥 

• Book me on this pickleball cruise 🛳️ 

• MLP team drops/keepers 🫳 

• Tips for how to choose a doubles partner 🤝

Let’s cook. 🧑‍🍳

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Pickleball’s Golden Age

Remember when pickleball had long dink rallies & more resets than counters? Good …now, watch this point. Think you know how it’s going to end?

The first half puts everything on display that we’re told over & over again represents the golden age of pickleball: the slow game, mastery over placement & lots of dinks.

But then, there’s a rapid shift into where the sport is now. We won’t spoil this one for you.

🔗 Watch it here

POLL

FEATURED STORY

New rule fines pros for ‘intentional’ headshots

The PPA Tour & MLP (via UPA-A) this week announced a new provisional rule known as the Targeting rule: “Intentional or reckless targeting of an opponent above the shoulders is considered extreme unsportsmanlike conduct.”

• Targeting will result in a point added to the opponent; a minimum fine of $2,500 to the offending player; more if the behavior continues (all at the discretion of refs).

Fans sounded off on this rule, largely calling it unnecessary & leaving room for ambiguity.

But here’s a different take: It is easy for most of us — who are well below the skill level of pros & who have all experienced plenty of mishits — to ask, “how can you prove intent?”

But doesn’t that question speak to having less control over the ball than pros do? They practice every single day and play at much higher levels than any of us. They DO often have more control over the ball and thus more intent on where they place it.

While errant shots do sometimes happen at the pro level, there are a few real examples of headshots recently in pro pickleball and a few pros have already said this rule is a good idea.

Jay Devilliers probably wishes this rule was in effect during this point, when Anna Leigh Waters delivered one of the best body shots we’ve ever seen. Though Devilliers himself has been known to send a speed-up high & hard from time to time.

🔗 Read the full rule’s verbiage 

Remember Ben Stiller’s upcoming pickleball film also featuring Andy Roddick, Mary Steenburgen & John McEnroe?

They just finished filming this month and reportedly aim to premiere in September, close to tennis’ US Open.

Titled, “The Dink,” the comedy seems like a callback to Stiller’s Dodgeball, following a former tennis pro hoping to save his club and win his father’s approval.

SET SAIL

Pickleball on the Adriatic

Our jaws dropped at this vacation itinerary: how about a 12-day pickleball adventure along Croatia’s breathtaking coastline with pickleball open play & instruction literally on the water? 🌊 

These cruises may be your speed:

📅 May 16-27, 2025 – Featuring pro Leroy Weighall & influencer Danae Zeigle

📅 October 16-28, 2025 – Led by instructor Brett Noel

What’s Included?

• Play pickleball on a floating court surrounded by stunning scenery

• Explore Dubrovnik, Split, Mostar, and hidden island gems

• Sail aboard the luxurious M/V Aretha

• Visit UNESCO sites, Roman ruins, and the mesmerizing Blue Cave

🔗 Book with code FTPL-CROATIA and lock in a $300 discount

THE PROS

MLP teams make keeper selections

Major League Pickleball on Tuesday released the list of keeper selections from each team in advance of next month's free agency draft.

League rules mandated that each team drop at least one player from their 2024 season-ending roster, and those decisions were submitted to MLP on Sunday.

The biggest surprise: The New York Hustlers elected to drop their entire roster — Susannah Barr, Lea Jansen, Riley Newman, Jack Sock — and start from scratch in the free-agency draft on March 2, which will be operated by dynamic bidding for each selection slot to claim eligible players who are not on a roster.

They did collect cash by trading away Vivian Glozman to Atlanta and sending CJ Klinger to Columbus in exchange for Newman. We'll see if they are big spenders in the draft to try to rebuild a competitive team.

Other notable players who were dropped:

• St. Louis Shock drop Kate Fahey.

• D.C. Pickleball Team drops James Ignatowich.

• Dallas Flash drop Augie Ge.

See every team’s keeper selections here.

On the PPA Tour this week, the pros are back in Arizona for the Mesa Cup, marking the sixth straight year the tour has hosted a tournament in Mesa.

Because it's still early in the season, there are a number of new partnerships in the draws -- most notably Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio, who are playing together for the first time.

Main draw action started Tuesday and Johns and Tardio have already been tested, ultimately prevailing against Cason Campbell and Greg Dow in a Round of 32 match on Wednesday that went to a third game.

🔗 Predictions and storylines in Mesa

PICKLEBALL ON ICE

Canadian pickleball?

This mesmerizing drone footage captures two pro hockey players gliding across a frozen court, with a Canadian skyline and harbor in the background. I could watch this all day. Thanks Pavel Barber and Jon Curow for the incredible video.

🔗 Watch it here

EVENTS

Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrgios lead Desert Smash Celebrity Pickleball Challenge

Pickleball, A-list celebrities, and high-stakes matchups are coming to La Quinta Resort on Monday, March 3, 2025, for the 2nd Annual Desert Smash Celebrity Pickleball Challenge.

Hosting this year: tennis superstars Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios, stepping on the court alongside pickleball’s elite, including Federico Staksrud, Michael Loyd, Callie Jo Smith, and Shelby Bates and celeb competitors like Colton Underwood, Doug Ellin, and Jason Derulo.

Expect electric matchups, a festival atmosphere with live DJs, red carpet moments, sponsor giveaways, and even a live taping of Nick Kyrgios’ podcast, “Good Trouble.”

🔗 Full event schedule and where to buy tickets

INSTRUCTION

Choosing a doubles partner (the right way)

Every player has been there: you step on the court and realize your doubles partner just isn’t the right fit.

Whether you’re a rec player looking for fun or a tournament grinder chasing gold, the right partner can make all the difference.

So, how do you find the ideal teammate? It all comes down to commitment, play style, & personality:

✅ Commitment – Are you just playing for fun, or are you training for high-level competition? Aligning goals with your partner is key.

✅ Play Style – Are you an aggressive court-dominator, or do you thrive on consistency and control? Your partner should complement your strengths, not clash with them.

✅ Personality – You don’t have to be friends, but great chemistry and clear communication are non-negotiable for a winning duo.

🔗 Where to find your perfect match

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

Up your game with the Dink Master Pro

A reliable drilling buddy is hard to come by. Good thing most people have access to a garage or back patio where they could set up this training aid.

The Dink Master Pro and Dink Master from Enhance Pickleball are durable hitting surfaces that provide accuracy targets for you to practice placing dinks and speedups.

An added bonus: Both products come with a drill catalog.

🔗 Buy the Dink Master Pro here & check out our list of great training aids 

QUICK HITS

• Impressive: Why was he cheating so far middle? Staged or real?

• Celebs: Not Linkin Park…Dinkin Park 

• All bark no bite: How I feel vs how I look on the court

• Woah: What it takes to win a point against Ben Johns

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