I started playing pickleball in March 2022 and have never looked back!
Pickleball Rookie is my creative outlet to share what I learn as I enjoy my paddle passion. When I'm not on the court, I love to hang out with my family and explore new places. Born and raised in New York, but I am always looking for reasons to leave.
Yesterday brought some big news out of Las Vegas that’s getting everyone in the pickleball world talking: tennis legend Andre Agassi is launching the World Series of Pickleball, headquartered right here in Sin City.
On the surface, this sounds fantastic. An eight-time Grand Slam champion with deep Las Vegas roots creating a global pickleball championship? Count me in. But as someone who’s been following this sport’s professionalization closely, I’ve got questions. Let’s dig into what we know, what we don’t know, and what this really means for the future of professional pickleball.
You’re two games into a rally-heavy match, your heart’s pounding like a jackhammer, and your opponent is already bouncing on their toes ready to serve. Again. You just want three seconds to breathe, but they’re treating this like the US Open finals.
Sound familiar?
Here’s the truth: pickleball matches can get sneakily fast. One minute you’re casually dinking at the kitchen, the next you’re in a frantic firefight that has your Apple Watch sending you concerned notifications. And when momentum swings—especially when it swings against you—some opponents will try to rush you, serving quickly to keep you flustered and off-balance.
But you don’t have to let them control the pace. There are plenty of legal, tactical ways to steal a few precious seconds, calm your nervous system, and get back in control of the match. Some are obvious. Others are delightfully sneaky. All of them work.
Anna Leigh Waters’ signature Franklin Aurelius paddle officially received UPA-A certification on February 6, 2026, fast-tracking its debut for the PPA Cape Coral Open. While Waters will compete with the highly aggressive 12.7mm model, the paddle is available for pre-order in three core thicknesses (12.7mm, 14mm, 16mm) and ships starting March 1, 2026. This certification marks a major shift in the paddle market, as Franklin cements its new flagship partnership following the departure of JW and Jorja Johnson.
In case you missed it while scrolling through your feed yesterday, there was a small but significant announcement in the professional pickleball world: Anna Leigh Waters’ signature Franklin paddle, the Aurelius, received UPA-A certification on Friday, February 6th. For most recreational players, this might seem like inside baseball. But if you care about where professional pickleball is heading—or if you’re one of the thousands already eyeing this paddle for yourself—this approval is a bigger deal than it first appears.
Let’s break down what just happened, why it matters, and what it tells us about the current state of paddle technology and player equipment deals.
I still remember the first time I played pickleball. I stood at the baseline, terrified of the seven-foot zone in front of the net like it was actual hot lava. I had been told by a well-meaning (but dead wrong) regular that “you can’t go in there unless the ball bounces in there.”
For three weeks, I played like a statue, afraid to toe the line.
It turns out, I was wrong. And that guy at the local courts? He was wrong too.
The “Kitchen”—officially known as the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)—is the most misunderstood part of this sport. It is also the single biggest reason beginners lose points they shouldn’t.
If you have ever argued with your partner about whether they “momentum fell” into the zone or if you are allowed to step in before the ball bounces, this guide is for you.
If your opponent is driving your drop shot back at you, your drop shot isn’t “good”—it’s too high. The harsh truth is that a “soft” drop often floats. In 2026, the game has moved beyond the feather-soft dink to the “Drip” (a Hybrid Drive/Drop). To stop the smash, you need to lower your apex, switch from backspin to topspin, and stop rushing the net.
If you play hard on the weekend and can’t walk down the stairs on Tuesday, you are suffering from “Pickleball Hangover” (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). The mistake most players make is doing nothing—sitting on the couch only makes the stiffness worse. In 2026, smart players are trading ice packs for active recovery tools like Firefly Recovery Straps and Incrediwear Sleeves, which flush out inflammation while they sit at their desks.
You know the drill. You play four hours of pickleball on Sunday morning. “One more game,” everyone says. You feel tired but fine on Monday. But when you wake up Tuesday, your knees are stiff, your calves are screaming, and your lower back feels like it’s fused shut.
The 2026 USA Pickleball Rulebook is a structural reorganization, not a gameplay overhaul. For recreational players, the game remains unchanged. The major updates involve separating tournament rules from general play, consolidating inclusive/adaptive rules into a dedicated section, and requiring a “USA Pickleball Approved” seal on new paddles manufactured starting in 2026.
Let me guess – you saw “new pickleball rules for 2026” and immediately started wondering what part of your game just became illegal.
Relax. You can still hit that third shot drop. Your serve is fine. And no, they didn’t change the kitchen rules (again).
The 2026 USA Pickleball rulebook (effective 1/1/26) is less of a game-changer and more of a spring cleaning. Think of it like reorganizing your garage – everything’s still there, it’s just way easier to find what you actually need.
For beginners in 2025, the best overall paddle is the Wild Monkeys Prima Ghost ($99) due to its carbon fiber face and 30-day risk-free trial. For players with tennis elbow, the ProKennex Black Ace Pro offers superior vibration dampening. If you are on a strict budget, the GAMMA RZR Blemished offers professional graphite performance for under $60. All recommendations in this guide feature free shipping via JustPaddles.
Starting your pickleball journey shouldn’t mean emptying your wallet or drowning in confusing technical jargon. After testing dozens of paddles and consulting with the experts at JustPaddles.com, we’ve identified the four best beginner-friendly paddles that deliver professional-level performance without the premium price tag.
At first glance, the WWE and your local pickleball courts have nothing in common. One involves steel chairs and spandex. The other involves plastic balls and people arguing about whether that ball was really out.
But here’s the thing: both are deeply psychological. They’re about positioning, reading your opponent, and yes—”working” them to get the upper hand.
I’ve been obsessed with this crossover lately. So much so that I wrote a short story called “Dropkicks and Dinks” (part of my new collection, Before the Sink Overflows), about a washed-up wrestler who finds redemption on the pickleball court. But while writing it, I realized the skills weren’t just fiction. They apply to real gameplay.
Here are five mental hacks that pro wrestlers use—that will absolutely fix your pickleball game.
The JOOLA Agassi Pro ($279) features a unique “tennis-style” flared shape and a propulsion core that delivers elite power and spin. While expensive, it is USAP-approved and ideal for tennis converts looking for a high-performance paddle that feels faster than the standard elongated shape.
When I first heard about the JOOLA × Andre Agassi Pro pickleball paddle, I was skeptical. A “signature” paddle always walks the line between marketing and performance — but to me, this one delivered beyond the hype. The shape is striking: a narrow waist that flares out at the top, reminiscent of a tennis racket more than the typical wide-body pickleball paddle. That unique profile instantly caught my attention.
