We just completed our second The Kitchen Open tourney of the year in Atlanta & I THINK WE FOUND HIM: the most athletic pickleball player in the world.

2Just wait until you see his highlight reel below.

Our tournaments are becoming an amazing showcase for the best upcoming talent in pickleball, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s next.

Also in this issue:

• Your forehand, but better

• The Northeast’s pickleball problem

• Senseless paddle crimes

Let’s cook. 🧑‍🍳

HIGHLIGHT(S) OF THE WEEK

Freak of Nature

Meet Jordan ‘JC’ Chrysostom, a TKO semifinalist who blew our minds all weekend doing some of the most electric things that we’ve ever seen on the court. The guy is gonna be special.

We’re not kidding when we say JC could be the most athletic pickleball player in the world. Watch these clips & decide for yourself (and scope that new Kitchen hat he’s wearing).

But he wasn’t even the winner of our tournament, which speaks to the impressive level of competition that showed up. See how it all unfolded below.

TKO ATLANTA

The Winners from Hotlanta

Big congrats to The Kitchen Open Atlanta finalists Thomas & James Yu, seen above holding the $20K winners’ check.

Their mental toughness was Ben Johns-esque…and this ‘tweener proves they had the physical skills to match, despite them both being fairly new to pickleball.

Shoutout to our runners up, Cameron Luhring & Matthew Barlow — see Matt’s insane reach in this all-or-nothing point.

Keep an eye out for our next tourney. We’ll bring the kitchen if you bring the heat.

INSTRUCTION

How to Roll On ‘Em

The forehand roll is a topspin shot that’s all about transforming neutral balls into offensive ones.

Here are the essentials:

1. Positioning

Make sure you’re aligned behind the ball to maintain control & power. Reach out of place? Opt for a slice instead to stay precise.

2. Keep Paddle Speed Consistent

Topspin depends on steady speed—no extra burst mid-swing. Push forward and finish with the paddle in front for that perfect blend of spin and control.

3. Don’t Overcommit

The forehand roll isn’t going to be a winner every time. Reload & stay ready for the next shot to keep the rally in your favor.

[Remember: this is an offensive shot. So before you go trying to roll everything, maybe review our full guide to speeding up].

In the meantime, see the forehand roll in action & turn your forehand into a more consistent weapon.

FEATURED STORY

Why the Northeast Lags Behind

Each month, we see the numbers roll in: this or that indoor pickleball chain opens, like, 15 new locations across the Midwest, the Southeast, or just in Utah.

That always makes us wonder: why is expansion so slow in other areas of the country — especially in places like the Northeast, which on the surface seem perfect for indoor pickleball chains?

After all:

• The weather is cold & inclement there for much of the year

• It has a higher average income than other areas (more $ to pay for memberships)

• There’s a higher population density

So, we spoke to an expert, and it turns out that those reasons actually explain why there AREN’T as many indoor clubs per capita in places like New England:

• High real estate costs make indoor facilities a tough sell

• Weather-driven demand puts pressure on facilities, who have to pay for both A/C AND heating costs (as opposed to just A/C in the South)

• The infrastructure just isn’t there, with too many old buildings just too expensive to refresh for pickleball

Despite the challenges, New England’s appetite for pickleball shows no signs of slowing. Find our full story here.

PRODUCT(S) OF THE WEEK

Counter the Cold

Even in parts of the South, it’s starting to cool down. Why not rep The Kitchen with one of our hoodies or thick-knit crewnecks?

And speaking of chilly weather: do you have the right ball for this time of year? If you’re looking for a durable, cold-proof ball, try The Kitchen’s Official Ball, the Onix Dura Fast 40.

Make playing outside a bit more comfortable with our cold weather pickleball guide.

One of the saddest parts of pickleball in 2024? The string of senseless pickleball crimes.

→ The latest: Racquet Guys in Markham, Ontario lost around $40K in paddles after multiple break-ins.

“They work as a group,” he explained, referring to his surveillance video that caught the thieves casually swiping paddles off the display wall and stuffing them into bags.

According to the store’s owner, the evidence trail doesn’t end with the thefts. More details here.

WHERE IS TEAM KITCHEN?

📍Dallas, Texas

We’re at PPA Worlds in Dallas this week, which is pretty much the Super Bowl of Pickleball.

Judging by the crowds, it could very well be the biggest pickleball event ever. If you’re there, make sure to say hi to anyone wearing The Kitchen merch (by the way, we brought some merch to the Pickleball Central shop on site if you’re interested).

If you want to join in-person, buy your tickets here. Stream the action here.

QUICK HITS

• Smart Shopping: Don’t fall for these paddle pitfalls

• LOL: ‘Stop lobbing,’ they tell me. This is how I respond!

• Competition: Freakish athleticism across the board

• Impressive: Imagine making this absolutely nasty shot look so easy

REFERRALS

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