Meet the 19-year-old taking pickleball global

Control, confidence, and connection—this week’s lineup is all about women shaping the game on and off the court.

Author

Empower Pickleball
October 30, 2025

A 24-hour pickleball facility sounds nice in theory… but I’m in bed by 9. Apparently, though, a lot of people my age love the idea—most players between 21 and 35 are ready to dink past midnight. Meanwhile, Anna Leigh Waters just won her 37th career triple crown. Thirty. Seven. I thought my five gold medals were impressive—guess I’ve got work to do.

How does she do it? Flawless, effortless, unstoppable.

So we’ve got 24-hour pickleball and a 19-year-old winning triple crowns like it’s her job (well, it is). And here I am, struggling to hold my 3.5 rating. Maybe I just need to push bedtime back—or finally start doing Gina’s drills this week.

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TIPS & TRICKS

Hold Your Ground at the Kitchen

Soft play doesn’t mean passive play. The kitchen is where control and composure make the biggest difference—especially when the pressure’s on. These four focused drills from Gina Cilento help you build reliable touch, reset with confidence, and stop second guessing your game when the ball keeps coming your way:

  • Soft Wall Touch Drill: Strengthen paddle feel and control.

  • Target Box Dinks: Sharpen accuracy and placement.

  • Reset Under Pressure: Stay calm when the pace picks up.

  • One-Minute Pressure Drill: Build focus, stamina, and composure.

Consistency doesn’t happen overnight, but a few minutes of practice every time you play can change everything.


💡 Why It Matters: Power gets the highlight reels. Control wins the match.

PICKLEBALL GEAR

The Bags Doing All the Heavy Lifting

Your pickleball bag hauls sweaty shoes, guards your favorite paddle, hides a snack stash, and still has to look good doing it. From sleek totes to travel-ready backpacks, we rounded up our favorite pickleball bags for women that balance function, organization, and style.

Whether you’re heading to a tournament or just sneaking in a quick morning game, these picks keep you prepped, polished, and court-ready.


💡 Why It Matters: The right bag isn’t just storage—it’s confidence you can carry.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Serving More Than Points

At just 19, Brooke Revuelta became the youngest pro athlete to join the U.S. Armed Forces Entertainment Pickleball Tour—traveling to 12 military bases across six countries to bring the game to deployed service members and their families. For three months, she coached, competed, and reminded everyone that connection doesn’t need a scoreboard.

With service running deep in her family, Brooke used her platform for purpose—proving that leadership and empathy are just as powerful as athleticism. Her story is a reminder that pickleball can reach far beyond the court.


💡 Why It Matters: Because the best players don’t just win matches—they build communities wherever they go.

  • Pickleball Slam Returns for Round 4 💥 Tennis legends Andre Agassi and James Blake will team up against Anna Leigh Waters and Eugenie Bouchard for a $1M prize at Pickleball Slam 4, happening April 15, 2026, at the Seminole Hard Rock in Florida.

  • Selling Homes Through Serves 🏠 Michigan realtor Julie Moraitis has built her entire real-estate business around her pickleball community. She’s turned weekend games into more than 20 referral sources.

  • Campus Courts on the Rise 🎓 The UNF Pickleball Club president, Myles Call, is leading the charge to unite the entire campus. With 21 members, a competitive team, and regular open play, their goal is to get the whole school playing.

  • Pickleball by Boat Only 🚤 In the remote fishing town of Gaultois, Newfoundland, locals built a new pickleball court right on the docks—accessible only by boat. The wooden court sits where fish once dried on racks, now welcoming visitors who make the ferry ride.

Your New Favorite Place to Feed a Gear Obsession

You know that friend who always has the newest paddle, somehow finds every deal, and gets free shipping on everything? Pickleball Warehouse is that friend in website form.

They carry all the big names—Selkirk, JOOLA, CRBN, Paddletek—and plenty of under-the-radar gems. Add in free shipping for orders over $50, a 30-day paddle trial, and a price-match promise, and it’s basically the candy store for pickleball players.

Next time someone asks where you found your setup, you’ll have an easy answer: Pickleball Warehouse.

This Week on Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil

From paddle tossers to mid-game quitters, Gina and Neil dig into the emotional outbursts and dramatic exits happening more often on the court. They share their own moments of frustration (yes, there were flying paddles) and talk about what it really means to stay composed—because in rec play, you’re not just playing for yourself.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

The Court Shoe Getting All the Attention

Have you seen the new Franklin ACV Pro court shoes yet? It feels like Franklin really understands what players need. Designed by veteran footwear engineer Bryan Cioffi (he’s worked with Converse and Reebok), they’re built specifically for pickleball—think stability, breathability, and traction that actually makes a difference when you’re flying around the court.

The Aero-Step™ ventilation system keeps your feet cool, the flex grooves make quick moves effortless, and the reinforced toe means these will actually last more than a few tournaments. It’s the kind of gear that makes you want to play longer—because you can.