Stop Losing Points Before the Rally Even Starts

A packed week: smarter strategy, sharper stories, and the shifts shaping how we play—and watch—the sport.

Author

Empower Pickleball
December 11, 2025

Can we all agree that the stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is pure chaos? I’m out here trying to convince myself to get out of bed and hit a gym that feels colder than the parking lot. Thankfully I’ve got a few indoor games lined up this weekend. Anything to avoid another date with the treadmill.

But let’s get to the real headline: UPA dropping Ignatowich, Fu, Glozman last night… and maybe Parris? Absolutely wild. These players have been busting it to grow the sport, and now their contracts are gone. At least James is taking it well. Yes, I bought the “Free Poppa Jimmy” shirt. No regrets.

We’re not diving into every detail, but you can read the official release below. Once things shake out a bit, maybe we’ll share our take. For now, we’ve got some solid stories lined up—especially if you’ve been following the pro scene or you’re trying to figure out where this sport is actually headed.

TIPS & TRICKS

Stop Losing Points Before the Rally Even Starts

Most rec players don’t lose points because of bad dinks or messy resets. They lose them before the rally even gets going. Gina breaks down the one mistake that hands the serving team all the power: staying back after your return.

She explains why tennis instincts work against you, how to buy yourself the time you need, and the simple move that instantly changes your control at the kitchen.


💡 Why It Matters: Fixing this habit isn’t about becoming more technical. It’s about gaining back the strongest position on the court and stopping the nonstop pressure teams hit you with when you’re stuck in mid-court.

OPINIONS & INSIGHTS

Does Pickleball Actually Work as a Spectator Sport?

Pickleball is everywhere—except in TV ratings. This piece breaks down why the sport hasn’t fully landed with casual viewers, what broadcast coverage keeps missing, and why reality TV, movies, and short-form content might crack the code long before traditional sports networks do.

It’s a blunt look at what fans actually connect with and what needs to change for pickleball to evolve from “popular to play” to “worth watching.”


💡 Why It Matters: If the sport wants bigger sponsorships, better production, and storylines people follow, personality and stakes—not polish—are what will move the needle.

Do you watch pickleball as a spectator?

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

The Women Redefining What College Pickleball Looks Like

Across campuses, pickleball clubs are exploding—but the real story is who’s leading them. From UT Austin’s national-title squad to small programs built from scratch, women are turning loosely organized rec clubs into places where leadership, community, and belonging actually mean something.

This article follows the women running practices, shaping culture, advocating for court time, welcoming beginners, and building the early blueprint for what women’s pickleball could become.


💡 Why It Matters: The next generation of the sport is forming on college courts, and the women steering those clubs are defining the culture everyone else will inherit.

  • UPA Drops Three Top Pros Over Unsanctioned Events 🔥 The UPA terminated contracts for James Ignatowich, Ryan Fu, and Vivian Glozman after the trio appeared at a series of Pickleball Japan Federation events without approval. Parris Todd was also involved, but her situation may be handled differently since she requested permission for part of the trip.

  • A $4.7M Indoor Club Hits the Market 🏷️ Ellington Racquet Club in Connecticut just listed its 44,880-sq-ft indoor tennis and pickleball facility for $4.7 million—barely a year after opening. The owner realized the operation was a bigger lift than expected, so the building is up for grabs while the club continues running.

  • 48 Hours, No Sleep, New World Record ⏱️ Four players in Enola, PA just broke the Guinness World Record for the longest pickleball marathon: 48 straight hours of doubles at Ace Pickleball Club. The match doubled as a fundraiser, pulling in over $4K for four different charities. Guinness is now reviewing the footage to certify the record.

  • Tragic Accident at Rooftop Pickleball Club ⚠️ A 32-year-old man in Kuala Lumpur died after falling from a third-floor rooftop court while trying to retrieve a ball. Local authorities classified it as a sudden death, and the venue has asked the public to avoid speculation while the investigation continues.

Game-Day Gear That Delivers

Centerline builds apparel made for the demands of pickleball. Breathable fabrics keep you cool during 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 by using the code EMPOWER20 at checkout, because the right gear actually makes a difference

This Week on Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil

This replay digs into something a lot of players feel but rarely admit: when the game starts blowing up relationships. Gina and Neil talk about best friends drifting, partners getting resentful, skill gaps creating tensions, and why women often feel the emotional fallout first. They also share how to keep the joy intact before the sport becomes something heavier than it needs to be.

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

The Little Cocktail Book Taking Over Our Group Chats

Some days, the brain is fried and the mini bar is calling. The little book packs 40+ pickleball-inspired cocktails that are genuinely fun to mix—Cucumber Backspin Spritz, Pickletini, Aperol Approach, all the good stuff.

If you’re sober or sober-curious, we love that just as much. Most recipes are easy to turn zero-proof while keeping the same courtside-party energy.

It’s cute, it’s giftable, and honestly… it’s the kind of thing every pickleball friend group ends up passing around anyway. The only downside… if you celebrate Christmas, it won’t arrive in time for the holiday.