Dink Awards: Fans Choose Top Pickleball Players, Upsets and Rising Stars
The pickleball community has spoken, with over 13,000 fans casting their votes in the 2024 Nike Dink Awards. This year's awards saw a record number of voters, more than double last year's participation, solidifying the event as the official fan-chosen awards for the sport. The awards highlighted the best in professional pickleball, with Ben Johns taking home the coveted Men’s Player of the Year title, securing 34.3% of the vote. Anna Leigh Waters dominated the Women’s Player of the Year category, earning a landslide 55.9% of the votes.
The awards also recognized veteran talent, with Steve Deakin and Lee Whitwell winning Men’s and Women’s Senior Player of the Year respectively. Gabe Tardio and Hurricane Tyra Black were celebrated as the Most Improved Players. In the Rising Star category, Jack Munro was named the Next Gem. The Upset of the Year went to Daescu & Bright for their surprising victory over Waters & Johns. The Nike Dink Awards continue to be a platform for fans to celebrate their favourite players, acknowledge progress, and recognize the most thrilling moments in pickleball.
Pickleball (and Padel) to Replace Tennis Court at Wantage Club
Wantage Lawn Tennis Club in Oxfordshire is set to expand its sporting offerings by lodging plans to replace an existing tarmac tennis court with two padel courts and one pickleball court. This move reflects the growing popularity of both padel and pickleball, two of the world's fastest-growing racket sports. Padel, a mix of tennis and squash, is already popular in Spain and Latin America and is rapidly gaining traction globally. The padel court is smaller than a tennis court, enclosed by glass and mesh panels, and uses special racquets and tennis balls.
Pickleball, while not as internationally established as padel, has also been gaining popularity. The club's proposal aims to increase the use of recreational facilities and provide additional social and health benefits for local residents. The club believes that the new courts will encourage more people to participate in sporting activities. The addition of padel and pickleball courts signals a shift in recreational preferences and highlights the club's commitment to adapting to new sporting trends.
Pickleball Paradise in Peril: Noise Complaints Threaten Bobby Riggs Club
The Bobby Riggs Racket & Paddle Club in Encinitas, California, a popular hub for pickleball enthusiasts, is facing a potential shutdown due to noise complaints. Nearby developers, residents, and businesses have taken their grievances to the city council, jeopardizing the future of the club. Owned by the Dawson family, including PPA senior pro players Steve and Jennifer Dawson, and their son Callan Dawson, also a PPA pro, the club has become a beloved community space since converting from a former tennis facility. The club had already reduced its number of pickleball courts from 22 to seven, yet noise concerns persist.
In an effort to resolve the issue, club owner Steve Dawson has announced plans to cover courts to make them indoor, mandate the use of quiet paddles, and explore alternative ways for open play. The pickleball community is rallying to support the club, with the formation of a "Save Bobby Riggs Grassroots Committee" to find solutions. The future of the Bobby Riggs Racket & Paddle Club now depends on finding a compromise between the club, the community and city decision-makers.
Volvo Drives into Pickleball Scene as Luxury Partner for World Pickleball League
The World Pickleball League (WPBL) is set to launch its inaugural edition on January 24, and Volvo Car India has joined as the official luxury mobility partner. This partnership highlights the growing appeal of pickleball, attracting major brands to the sport. The WPBL, created by Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, will feature six teams competing in 48 matches over 10 days, promising high-octane action and entertainment from celebrated Indian artists. Tickets are available on Swiggy Scenes, and matches will be broadcast live on FanCode.
Adding to the excitement, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, owner of the Chennai Super Champs, recently unveiled her team's jersey at a special event in Chennai. This high-profile event underscores the league’s ambition to blend sports and entertainment, appealing to a broad demographic. The partnership with Volvo marks a significant milestone for the WPBL, combining the thrill of pickleball with the elegance of luxury automobiles. According to Jyoti Malhotra, MD of Volvo Car India, this collaboration will help grow the dynamic sport in the country.
Tamil Nadu Pickleball Premier League Makes History with Player Auction
The Tamil Nadu Pickleball Association (TNPA) has made history by completing the auction for the inaugural MGM Tamil Nadu Pickleball Premier League (TNPPL) Season 1. This marks the first large-scale auction conducted by the TNPA, which is sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association. Sixteen teams, owned by prominent individuals and corporations from across Tamil Nadu, successfully acquired 160 players at the auction. Over 200 players had registered, highlighting the growing popularity of pickleball in the region. The league has structured teams with a diverse representation, including women and senior players.
The TNPA designated 32 "icon players," with the remaining players in the "open category". The entire event was watched online by an international audience. The MGM TNPPL Season 1 tournament is scheduled for February 15-16, 2025, and is expected to draw significant domestic and international attention. The player prize pool is Rs 6 Lakhs, with the winning prize pool at Rs. 1,20,000. This milestone underscores pickleball's rapid growth and the TNPA's commitment to promoting the sport.
Pickleball's Popularity Explodes in the Philippines with 123 Clubs
Pickleball is rapidly gaining traction in the Philippines, with the number of clubs reaching 123 across the country since the sport's introduction in 2016. This surge in popularity highlights the growing interest in the sport that combines elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton. The game is known for its short learning curve, making it accessible to players of all ages and skill levels, and can be played in both singles or doubles formats.
Pickleball's ease of access is also a contributing factor to its growth. The sport is played on a badminton court, and the portable net allows for easier setup than other racket sports like padel. Many malls, including Ayala Malls, SM Megamalls, and Robinsons Land Corporation, have installed pickleball courts in their venues. The Zone Sports Center in Makati is considered a hub for both regular and professional players and has six dedicated courts. The sport's welcoming community and ease of play have made it a popular choice for Filipinos looking for a new recreational activity.
Skechers Bets Big on Pickleball with New Performance Store Concept
Skechers is making a bold move to capture the attention of athletes with its new retail concept, featuring interactive pickleball and basketball courts within its stores. The company's first-ever Skechers Performance store, a 7,500-sq.-ft. space, recently opened at West Edmonton Mall in Canada. This "immersive destination" allows customers to test out Skechers’ performance footwear, apparel, and accessories on-site. The store concept highlights Skechers' commitment to the performance market, including technical running, golf and pickleball footwear.
The store opening comes after the company noted a significant opportunity to expand its performance business. Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers, stated that the new store offers the brand’s largest-ever collection of performance products. The company believes that combining innovative performance products with essential comfort will attract athletes. The location in Edmonton, with its vibrant sports culture, was chosen as the ideal place for Skechers' first performance destination. This new store concept underscores Skechers' focus on engaging athletes directly with their products.
Wheeling Honors Pickleball Pioneer Pat Carroll by Naming Courts After Him
The city of Wheeling is honoring Pat Carroll, the man credited with bringing pickleball to the area, by renaming the new pickleball courts at the Patterson Sports Complex in Elm Grove as the Pat Carroll Pickleball Courts. This decision by the Wheeling City Council was a surprise to Carroll, who was invited to a council meeting under false pretenses, where the resolution was revealed. Carroll, who introduced pickleball to Wheeling in 2010, invested his own funds to establish the first four courts in the city at the Patterson complex in 2011.
The newly renamed courts will be part of a complex of eight, funded by a $71,000 allocation, which the city sees as an economic investment, as facilities with at least eight courts are needed to host pickleball tournaments and attract players from outside the region. The new courts are expected to be completed by the coming spring. Mayor Denny Magruder praised Carroll for his leadership and contribution to the community. Carroll noted that the sport is "great for all ages" and is played by people from "age 10 and up" including some 90-year-olds.
Mickey, Minnie, and Pickleball: Dooney & Bourke Debuts Designer Racket Sling Bag at Disney Store
Pickleball is stepping into the world of high fashion with the launch of a Disney Sketch Dooney & Bourke pickleball racket sling bag at the Disney Store. This collaboration brings a touch of luxury to the popular sport, featuring the classic Disney Sketch pattern with Mickey, Minnie, Tinker Bell, and other beloved characters, along with icons like the Fantasyland Castle and Mickey ear hats. The stylish bag, which sells for $178.00, is designed for pickleball enthusiasts who want to showcase their love for both Disney and the trendy sport.