Ace Rivera 
Ace here, coming at you from a rainy Monday morning in Austin that’s got me thinking about the wild weather that just hit the USA Pickleball Nationals in San Diego. Between Mother Nature’s interference, historic international developments, and some seriously good Cyber Monday paddle deals still available, we’ve got plenty to unpack this week. Or you can just grab the most expensive pickleball paddles–or the cheapest!
Roscoe Bellamy secures his first PPA Gold in Lakeland, while ALW wins her 39th Triple Crown. In community news, Carmel, CA bans pickleball in public parks due to noise. Scroll down for verified Black Friday codes from CRBN, Holbrook (50% off), and Gearbox.
Happy Thanksgiving week, pickleball family! Ace here, writing this from my kitchen table with replays from Lakeland still running through my head. The PPA Veolia Lakeland Open just wrapped up, and holy moly, did it deliver some unforgettable moments. Plus, if you’re reading this on Black Friday, I’ve got some seriously good paddle deals to share that might just make your wallet a little lighter (but your game a lot better). Let’s jump in.
What’s up, pickleball fanatics? Ace here, and wow—if you blinked over the past week, you missed some absolutely incredible moments in our sport. Between historic championship performances and mind-blowing paddle technology hitting the market, there’s so much to unpack that I barely know where to start. Pour yourself that morning coffee (or afternoon IPA if that’s your vibe), and let’s dive into what’s been happening on and off the courts.
This week in Ace’s Pickleball Pulse: A recap of the inaugural MLP Cup in Texas, the rise of “foam-core” paddle technology from brands like Honolulu and CRBN, and a look at how collegiate and pro pickleball are merging to build the sport’s future depth.
Hey there, pickleball fanatics and curious newcomers alike! I’m Alex Rivera—though most people just call me “Ace” on the courts—and I’m absolutely stoked to launch this weekly column right here on Pickleball Rookie. If you’re looking for someone to break down the latest gear, dissect professional tournament results, and generally geek out about all things pickleball with you, well, you’ve found your guy.