This paddle-testing data might surprise you

How Anna Leigh Waters became Nike’s first pickleball athlete

February 10, 2026

 

Have you ever wondered what pro players consider most when choosing a paddle? Money certainly plays a role, but when you’re the No. 1 women’s player in the world, performance is pretty important, too.

We recently had Anna Leigh Waters on Pickleballers to discuss her paddle deal with Franklin and apparel/shoe deal with Nike. She explains the paddle testing process, why she didn’t want a “bidding war,” how important it was to actually love the paddle, and what it felt like walking into the Masters with a brand-new setup — new paddle, new Nike kit, new expectations — and still winning. More below.

Also in this issue:

  • We’re giving away 10 of Engage’s latest paddles 🙌

  • He broke the internet with these shots 🤯

  • Send us your best amateur pickleball highlights 🎥

  • UPA-A releases paddle testing data 📊

  • PPA Tour returns to sunny Cape Coral 😎

  • Is this the prettiest JOOLA paddle ever? 😍

Let’s get cookin’. 🧑‍🍳

GIVEAWAY

We’re giving away 10 Engage Alpha Pro paddles

We are partnering with ENGAGE to give away 10 Alpha Pro pickleball paddles. 💥

EACH WINNER will get to choose the paddle of their choice! 🎁

HOW TO ENTER

  1. FILL OUT this form on our website.

  2. LIKE this post.

  3. TAG a few friends (every tag is a new entry!).

  4. FOLLOW @thekitchenpickleball and @engagepickleball.

  5. SHARE this post to your stories.

***YOU MUST COMPLETE ALL STEPS TO BE ELIGIBLE***

We will choose 10 random winners on Feb. 20! 🥳

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

He broke the internet with these shots

The crazy thing about this week’s highlight is it has not one, but TWO shots by the same player that probably would have made our highlight post.

When his opponent attacks the first time, he answers with a spinning behind-the-back reset that was almost a clean winner. He follows that up with a couple more insane scrambling gets, and his opponents eventually make an error.

Fittingly, the player’s Instagram handle is @behindthezack. We can see why. You’ll want to watch this one for yourself.

🔗 Check out this highlight on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok

SUBMIT YOUR HIGHLIGHT

Got a clip worth sharing?

Got a highlight clip worth sharing? We’re looking for the best amateur pickleball moments to feature in The Kitchen’s Top 10 Amateur Pickleball Highlights of the Month on YouTube.

First place will receive a prize from a selection that includes:

  • A $500 DoorDash gift card

  • The Kitchen merch

  • Pickleball gear

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR CLIPS

📤 Upload your video via wetransfer.com and send to [email protected].

✍️ Include your name and the location where you were playing in the subject line.

🎥 Videos must be filmed horizontally.

🎬 Please limit submissions to two clips per person.

Whether it’s a clutch point, a wild rally, an insane trick shot or pure pickleball chaos — we want to see it.

Good luck, and we can’t wait to watch your highlights.

PICKLEBALLERS

How Anna Leigh Waters became Nike’s first pickleball athlete

In case you missed it last week, World No. 1 women’s player Anna Leigh Waters joined Pickleballers for the second time after a busy month in which she signed a new paddle contract with Franklin and an apparel/shoe deal with Nike.

In this clip from the episode, Waters takes us behind the scenes of the historic deal that made her Nike’s first pickleball athlete. She shares what it was like visiting Nike HQ, sitting in all-day meetings, helping them think through true pickleball-specific gear, and why this partnership feels bigger than just her — it feels like a milestone for the entire sport.

🔗 Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify

THE PROS

PPA Tour Cape Coral Open: Draws, schedule and TV information

After two weeks off, the PPA Tour is back in action this week with the Cape Coral Open.

The tournament is being held in Cape Coral, Florida, and the weather looks like it will cooperate all week -- the forecast calls for plenty of sunshine and highs in the upper 70s.

After experimenting with a few different scheduling formats over the past couple years, the PPA Tour has now shifted to a progressive draw for all of its tournaments in 2026, regardless of whether it is an Open, Cup or Slam. That means pro qualifying will be played on Mondays and main draw matches will start on Tuesdays, with one round in every division to be played each day through Championship Sunday.

This week's tournament is an Open, so it is worth 1,000 ranking points for the winners in each division.

Matches can be viewed on Pickleballtv or the Pickleballtv App starting Thursday. Matches on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday can be viewed on the PPA Streamed Courts YouTube page.

TRENDING

The United Pickleball Association of America recently released paddle testing data that shows key differences between UPA-A standards, which govern the pro game, and USA Pickleball standards, which are broadly used across the amateur game.

In a news release, the UPA-A said it "applies significantly more stringent testing standards than USA Pickleball (USAP) and that difference is measurable, consistent and intentional."

During its 2025 certification cycle, the UPA-A said it tested more than 250 paddles. Approximately 95% of those models were already approved by USAP.

Despite that, about 40% of the USAP approved paddles that were submitted failed UPA-A testing, showcasing a key difference in how the two organizations evaluate performance.

GEAR

JOOLA introduces new pink Perseus Pro IV just in time for Valentine’s Day

One of the most popular paddles on the market just got a new look: The iconic JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16mm is now available in a special pink colorway just in time for Valentine's Day (which is THIS SATURDAY, in case you needed a reminder).

Whether you're popping the big question ("Will you be my doubles partner?") or shopping for yourself, this striking pink paddle is easy to fall for this Valentine's Day.

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