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The most athletic pickleball player in the world
Your forehand, but better.

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 couldnât be more excited for whatâs next.
Also in this issue:
Your forehand, but better
The Northeastâs pickleball problem
Senseless paddle crimes
Letâs cook. đ§âđł
HIGHLIGHT(S) OF THE WEEK
Freak of Nature
Meet Jordan âJCâ Chrysostom, a TKO semifinalist who blew our minds all weekend doing some of the most electric things that weâve ever seen on the court. The guy is gonna be special.
Weâre 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 heâs wearing).
But he wasnât 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 winnersâ check.
Their mental toughness was Ben Johns-esqueâŠand this âtweener proves they had the physical skills to match, despite them both being fairly new to pickleball.
âEven when we were down in games or ever gave up a lead, we stayed patient & kept playing a high percentage game.â
Shoutout to our runners up, Cameron Luhring & Matthew Barlow â see Mattâs insane reach in this all-or-nothing point.
Keep an eye out for our next tourney. Weâll bring the kitchen if you bring the heat.
INSTRUCTION
How to Roll On âEm
The forehand roll is a topspin shot thatâs all about transforming neutral balls into offensive ones.
Here are the essentials:
1. Positioning
Make sure youâre 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 speedâno extra burst mid-swing. Push forward and finish with the paddle in front for that perfect blend of spin and control.
3. Donât Overcommit
The forehand roll isnât 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 â 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)
Thereâs a higher population density
So, we spoke to an expert, and it turns out that those reasons actually explain why there ARENâT 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 isnât there, with too many old buildings just too expensive to refresh for pickleball
Despite the challenges, New Englandâs 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, itâs 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 youâre looking for a durable, cold-proof ball, try The Kitchenâs Official Ball, the Onix Dura Fast 40.
Make playing outside a bit more comfortable with our cold weather pickleball guide.
TRENDING
One of the saddest parts of pickleball in 2024? The string of senseless pickleball crimes.
â The latest: Racquet Guys in Markham, Ontario lost around $40K in paddles after multiple break-ins.
âThey work as a group,â 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 storeâs owner, the evidence trail doesnât end with the thefts. More details here.
WHERE IS TEAM KITCHEN?
đDallas, Texas
Weâre 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 youâre 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 youâre interested).
QUICK HITS
Smart Shopping: Donât fall for these paddle pitfalls
LOL: âStop lobbing,â they tell me. This is how I respond!
Competition: Freakish athleticism across the board
Impressive: Imagine making this absolutely nasty shot look so easy
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