March Madness delivered, and now the spotlight shifts.

With Michigan Wolverines men's basketball and UCLA Bruins women's basketball wrapping up impressive championship runs, the college hoops season officially hands the baton to the next wave of competition. And yes—pickleball is right in the mix.

The DUPR Collegiate National Championship takes over April 9–12, bringing the country’s best college players to Peachtree Corners, GA, while another can’t-miss showdown is brewing in Hollywood, Florida—where tennis legends and pickleball stars collide once again.

Let’s get into it.

Inside:

• The right time to be using a two-handed backhand

• Find the perfect indoor pickleball facility to match your game

• A pickleball membership that pays for itself

🎾 Can Tennis Legends Actually Beat Pickleball’s Best?

Pickleball Slam 4 might be the most legit showdown yet.

What started as a fun crossover is now a real test: tennis legends vs. the best player in pickleball.

• Team Tennis: Andre Agassi remains undefeated, and James Blake brings pace + experience

• Team Pickleball: Anna Leigh Waters controls points like no one else, while Genie Bouchard bridges both worlds

The big question comes down to style:

• Fast + aggressive? Edge to tennis

• Long rallies + resets? Advantage pickleball

Previous Slams proved tennis players can hang—but this is the first time they’re facing true elite pickleball dominance. Tune into the action, April 15 at 7 PM EST on ESPN.

👉 Who actually takes it? Find out more about the event here.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

👀 The women who helped build pickleball
4️⃣ 4 paddle brands to put on your radar this year
🤖 Robots that make you better at pickleball
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Be a part of the Empower Pickleball Fam and save 30% with code EMPOWER30

🤲 Should You Be Using a Two-Handed Backhand?

More players are adding it for extra power, stability, and cleaner contact—especially on returns and drives.

With the two-hander, you get:

• Better control against pace

• Stronger backhand offense

• But… less reach in fast exchanges

The real key isn’t choosing one style—it’s knowing when to use each.

👉 Curious if a two-handed backhand fits your game? Read the full breakdown.

🔥 Still Tight After You Play? This is Usually Why

If you're finishing games sore, tight, or dragging the next day, it's not just "part of playing." It usually means your recovery is off.

This is where most people get it wrong. They stretch, hydrate, maybe ice—but never actually treat the soreness directly.

The Topical Relief Cream from ‘Āina Organics is built for that exact moment. It targets muscle and joint tension right where you feel it, so you don't wake up stiff or play through it the next day.

It goes on smooth, absorbs fast, and gives you that mix of warming + cooling relief that feels like it's working. Not greasy, not overpowering, and not something you have to "wait and see" with.

 👉 Try it after your next match and take 10% off with code EMPOWER10.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Creation of the Time Out Rule

Contributed by Jennifer Lucore, Pickleball Hall of Famer and historian — author of History of Pickleball: More Than 50 Years of Fun! • Visit allpickleball.com

🏢 The Rise of Indoor Pickleball Clubs (And What It Means for You)

Pickleball’s next big shift is happening indoors—and franchises are racing to define how you’ll play the game year-round.

• The Picklr → performance-driven for players chasing improvement

• Pickleball Kingdom → community-focused clubs for all levels

• Dill Dinkers → accessible, neighborhood-style programming

• Ace Pickleball Club → social + premium experience

But it’s not all upside:

• Overbuilding in key markets

• Rising membership costs

• Pressure to keep players engaged

For you, that means more options—but also a bigger decision on how and where you want to play.

👉 Curious which indoor club actually fits your goals? Dive into the full breakdown.

🪪 CRBN’s New Membership Might Actually Be a No-Brainer

CRBN just launched a membership—and it’s surprisingly hard to say no to.

For a one-time $30 fee, you get $30 in store credit… meaning you’re basically in for free from day one.

Here’s what you get:

• 10% off gear year-round

• Early access to new paddle drops

• Member-only sales + events

• A voice in future products through CRBN Concepts

But the bigger story? This isn’t just about discounts—it’s about bringing everyday players closer to the brand, not just pros.

Pickleball’s growth is driven by recreational players, and programs like this lean into that shift.

👉 Is it worth it—and what does it say about where pickleball is heading? Read more.

CORRECTION

We had an unforced error in last week’s tournament results section. Congratulations to Max Green, who took home gold in men’s singles at the AARP Open. Find the full pro division results below, and learn more about the AARP Open here.

• April 13-19: PPA Sacramento Open - Sacramento, CA

• April 27-May 3: PPA ATL Championships - Peachtree Corners, GA

• April 30-May 3: APP Sacramento Open - Roseville, CA

• May 22-25: National Junior Pickleball New York Regional - Medford, NY

• May 22-25: Major League Pickleball Season Opener - Dallas, TX

• June 11-15: APP Vlasic Classic Cincinnati - Cincinnati, OH

• June 18-21: National Junior Pickleball Arizona Regional - Glendale, AZ

• October 11-16: VibeGetaways Pickleball with a Purpose - Willemstad, Curaçao

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have a pickleball story you would like to share?

Tell us what’s happening at your local courts—the wins, the debates, and the moments everyone’s talking about.

We might feature your story in an upcoming newsletter.

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