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.
Pickleball News
Ace’s Pickleball Pulse: Your Weekly Guide to Everything Happening on 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.
2025 Pickleball Rule Changes and Gear Trends You Need to Know About
The biggest 2025 pickleball rule changes include banning sideline coaching, allowing partners to call faults on each other, and permitting a “drop serve” off the paddle face. Top gear trends for the year are “quiet” paddles for noise-restricted courts, AI-enabled paddles for training feedback, and specialized shoes for injury prevention.
As the sport pickleball continues to evolve, so does the amount of gear available to players. Because the only thing better than playing the sport is living the sport!
Here are a few items on Pickeball Rookie’s radar this year:
These new AI paddles from Selkirk and JOOLA are pretty mind-blowing. As someone who’s always working on my third shot drop, having real-time feedback on spin and contact point is a game-changer. Though I have to admit, sometimes I turn off the app and just focus on feel – old habits die hard!
2024 Pickleball Rule Changes Explained
USA Pickleball has released its 2024 official rulebook, and there are several notable changes we want our fellow players to be aware of. Do we dig all of the rule changes? Read on to find out!
Pickleball Noise Concerns Addressed With New ‘Quiet Category’
USA Pickleball takes proactive measures against pickleball noise to ensure the sport pleases the masses.
USA Pickleball, the sport’s national governing body, has taken a significant step by unveiling its “Quiet Category” for pickleball products. This progressive move comes in light of growing noise concerns associated with the sport, focusing on reducing sound levels during recreational play.
Listen to this post below:
6 Pickleball Trends You Need to Know About
From more aggressive play to high socks and higher court rental rates, we look at the latest pickleball trends.
Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport that has captured the attention of players of all ages and skill levels. With its unique blend of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, it’s no surprise that pickleball has become a favorite pastime for many.
Let’s explore several of the latest pickleball trends currently taking the sport by storm. From more aggressive play to celebrity investors, these pickleball trends are shaping the future of the sport and helping to take the game to new heights. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to pickleball, there’s never been a better time to pick up a paddle and join the fun.
ICYMI: Around the Post | National Pickleball Day
First and foremost, Happy National Pickleball Day! On August 8, the annual day honors the funky sport that dates back to 1965 in Bainbridge Islands, Washington. Interestingly enough, the sport saw more Google searches than ever before on this day. But, the top states are pretty surprising:
-Missouri
-Maryland
-Illinois
-New York
-California
ICYMI: Around the Post | Pickleball News Update
Welcome to our weekly wrap-up of pickleball happenings around the globe.
Pickleball Gets Preppy
As the sport of pickleball continues its mainstream ascent, more retailers are jumping into the game. This past week J. Crew got in on the action by launching a collab with Recess, a pickleball paddle, and an accessory brand. At the time of this writing, many of the stylish paddles are sold out. Coming soon: Pickleball balls by Vineyard Vines? An indoor pickleball court while you wait at the DMV? (Hmmmm…I actually like the idea of the latter!)
Up Next: Selkirk Labs 003
Labeled as “the Ultimate Paddle for Power, Control, and Spin,” Selkirik is positioning its Labs 003 project as the dream paddle. Has the leading paddle manufacturer created a unicorn paddle? Only time will tell, but with the thickest core available (20mm) and promising more power/control than any previous Selkirk paddle, we’re excited to get our hands on one for a test drive. Expect to pay north of $300 when the paddle is released. But can you put a price on perfection?
Find of the Week
The find of the week goes to these yellow plastic paddles. I’ve seen some pretty cheap pickleball equipment with these might take the cake. While I am pleased to see equipment available at all price points, and recognize that everyone needs to start somewhere, I have no doubt that you would be better off with a $12 wood paddle. But hey, whatever gets the kids playing!
My Pickleball Journey
While only able to play once this week, I had a strong showing, winning most of my games–but more importantly, really enjoying myself. My goal was to play the game the “right” way, relying on deep shots, dinks and speed changes. Many of my shots were praised by other players. I walked away feeling validated that my game is improving, making me feel warm and fuzzy.