So you’ve been dominating rec play. What’s next?

For many players, the answer is a tournament—and nothing will test (or grow) your game faster. This week’s stories break down how to prep for your first one, handle big-hitting opponents, and how one man is changing the game for the Deaf community.

Keep reading for:

🎯 How to survive and thrive in your first tournament
🔥 The secret to beating bangers
🌏️ Pickleball in a war zone

🧠 First Tourney? Here’s What to Do

It’s tourney season, and if you’re about to commit to playing your first or even your 10th, we have some thoughts on how to get the most out of it:

The Prep Phase:

• Choose the right partner (same goals = fewer arguments)

• Practice like it’s a game (not just rec play)

• Know the format (ladder = more games, round robin = pressure early)

Mindset Matters:

• Don’t just “try to win” — try to last longer

• Set realistic goals (score points, keep rallies going, don’t implode)

• Remember: nerves are normal. Even pros shake a little.

What to Bring:

• Backup paddle

• More snacks than you think you’ll need

• Socks (extra pairs!)

• Towel

• Electrolytes

• Comfy sandals for when you aren’t on the court.

• A game plan: keep it simple, steady, and exploit the weak backhand

Bottom Line: A solid drop shot and calm footwork are worth more than hype. The best way to “have fun”? Play smart and stay in the fight.

Around the Picklesphere

🧒 Juniors are the fastest-growing force in pickleball — proof 
👆️ “Always play up”
👀 Private pickleball retreat
👯 Up your doubles game

💥 How to Beat Power Players Without Becoming One

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: Facing someone who hits everything like it’s a tennis final? Good. You’re about to learn something.

What you can expect from the average banger:

• Blistering third-shot drives

• Relentless speedups

• Low patience for dinking

Here’s how you can counter:

• Deep serves & returns (buy yourself time)

• Drop shots to their backhand (over and over)

• Block, reset, then dink to frustrate

• Paddle tracking (the tip of your paddle follows where the ball goes so you’re ready for the inevitbale speedup)

Avoid:

• Trying to out-bang them (you won’t)

• Feeding their forehand

• Getting baited into a speed war

Playing against power players sharpens your defense, improves your patience, and teaches you about adaptability. Instead of hating the bangers, learn to break them down. Calm always beats chaos.

Game-Day Gear That Delivers

Centerline builds apparel made for the demands of pickleball. Breathable fabrics keep you cool in long rallies. GripTek® details help you hold steady through fast hands and tough points. Fits are designed to move with you without getting in the way.

Snag 20% off with code EMPOWER20 at checkout, because the right gear actually makes a difference.

📺 Gear Review: The Pickleball Driller

Gina and Neil put the Pickleball Driller to the test — and let’s just say, setup was... an adventure. Once they got it going, it turned into a solid training tool for dialing in dinks, drops, and consistency. Want to see how it holds up in real drills?

▶️ Watch the full review on YouTube

🤟 Meet the Coach Making Pickleball More Accessible

When Billy Mauldin picked up a paddle four years ago, he wasn’t just looking for a new hobby. He was building a movement.

A Deaf athlete, certified coach, and founder of Deaf Pickler, Billy is creating space where Deaf players don’t just play, they thrive.

From Costa Rica to Wisconsin, his clinics and retreats have helped hundreds of players build confidence, connect with community, and experience the sport in a fully inclusive environment.

→ What started small is now going global: his 2026 Deaf Pickleball Retreat in Turks & Caicos is already filling up, with 24 spots claimed and a waitlist growing fast.

→ As one of only three Deaf-certified PPR instructors in the country, Billy also gives back, recently sponsoring students from the Arizona School for the Deaf after funding for their tournament trip fell through.

But the work isn’t done. Barriers remain, from inaccessible tournament communication to a lack of certified instruction. That’s why Billy and his wife Jana are teaching hearing players simple hand signals, donating ASL signage to public courts, and pushing for more visibility in the sport.

🔗 Read his full story

🌍 One Man’s Mission in Ukraine

Kansas City’s Aaron Trost is bringing more than paddles to Ukraine — he’s bringing connection, movement, and a moment of relief.

Through his nonprofit Pickleball Planter, Trost has introduced the game in countries across Asia, Europe, and Central America. But this summer, he’s headed back to Ukraine, where he’ll be hosting clinics for youth, veterans, and people disabled by the war.

It’s not his first time. He visited in 2023 and witnessed how powerful the game could be amid hardship. “It’s a chance to take people’s minds off what’s happened,” he says.

This time, he’s returning with hundreds of donated paddles and nets from brands like JOOLA, Selkirk, Ronbus, and Babolat, enough to supply local leaders across the country. He’ll start in western Ukraine, then travel east to Kyiv, partnering with the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation to reach new players.

In a country rebuilding in real time, pickleball is becoming a tool for recovery, leadership, and joy.

Want a better way to settle line calls? Ruley the Referee gives you an instant second opinion. Our audience gets 3 months free on Apple or Google Play with code EMPOWER.

🌍 APP Tour Goes Global

In two major moves, the APP Tour extended their partnership with Pickleball England and inked a new one with Global Sports in India, pushing the pro pickleball scene deeper into Europe and Asia.

→ What does it mean? Top players from each tour can now compete across the pond (and beyond), with events planned in India, Dubai, Vietnam, and Fort Lauderdale.

It’s a massive step toward a truly international pickleball calendar, one where elite players can earn more, gain exposure, and grow the sport in new corners of the world. The Monsoon Pickleball Championship in Mumbai, for instance, is shaping up to be the largest tournament in India yet.

And yes, the APP U.S. National Team is headed to the English Open again this August—aka the biggest international pickleball tournament outside the U.S., with 2,000+ players from 50+ countries.