Pickleball’s messy, money-fueled power struggle is hitting the screen.

From celeb investors to boardroom brawls, Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story gives our favorite sport the documentary treatment it deserves…

…Pickle on Prime Time

Pickleball’s wild rise gets the spotlight treatment in Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story, a new documentary coming Friday, April 11.

TNT Sports has picked up the film, which promises a “humorous look into the serious business” of the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.

Directed by Ashley Underwood (of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm fame) and written by Craig Coyne, Dreambreaker dives headfirst into the chaos and charm of pro pickleball—where billionaires, celebrities, and senior citizens collide.

The film follows the real-time formation of rival leagues, failed mergers, boardroom feuds, and the race to sign the world’s top players.

“It’s amusing, intense, and incredible to witness,” Underwood said. She picked up a paddle herself during the pandemic and became fascinated with the rapid transformation of what many still consider a “grandparent sport” into a cutthroat arena full of athletes, agents, and investors.

The doc features appearances from tennis icon John McEnroe, NFL Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald, and Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns.

Coyne noted that instead of taking a cynical approach, they aimed to show both the good and the messy of what happens when a hobby turns into a billion-dollar business.

From community courts to boardrooms, Dreambreaker captures pickleball’s meteoric rise with humor, heart, and a fair share of drama.

📺️ Catch it April 11 on truTV and streaming on Max.

Quick Hands, Big Wins: Mastering the Pickleball Volley

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: Volleying at the kitchen line is where pickleball gets fast—and fun. While pros can rip volleys at over 60 mph, even recreational players know the pressure of a quick exchange.

The good news? You don’t have to fear the heat if you’re ready to return fire with control and confidence.

Here’s how to own the fast game:

📍 Start with the Right Ready Position

At the kitchen line, keep your paddle in a neutral-but-slightly-backhand-biased position—think 11 o’clock if you’re right-handed, 1 o’clock if you’re left-handed.

→ Why? Because defending with a backhand volley is often quicker and more compact, especially when a ball is coming straight at you.

Between every shot, reset to this position. It’s your launchpad for lightning-fast reactions.

🖐️ Keep It Short and Sweet

Your volley swing should be short, compact, and efficient—no big wind-ups. Think of it like giving the ball a quick high five.

→ Why? Compact swings help you stay accurate with your contact point, which generates more consistent power and makes it easier to prep for the next shot.

🎯 Grip Tension: Find the Sweet Spot

Hold your paddle with a tension of about 6 to 7 out of 10.

→ Why? Too tight, and you’ll lose feel. Too loose, and you won’t be able to absorb the ball’s speed effectively. The right grip helps with control, reaction, & comfort during quick exchanges.

Whether you’re dinking or defending a drive, sharpening your volley game will pay off in both speed and strategy. Stay compact, stay ready—and start winning more at the line.

For Players Who Can’t Get Enough Court Time

If you’re the type who plays ‘just one more game’ five times in a row, VKTRY insoles might be your new obsession. Designed with aerospace-grade carbon fiber (seriously), these shock-absorbing, energy returning insoles help you stay on the court longer, with less strain on your joints.

Get 20% off your first pair by clicking here.

Put THIS in Your Bag: Underrated Gear, Part 3

The Kollectaball K-Max Ball Collector

If you’re serious about improving your pickleball game, there’s no getting around it: you need to drill. Reps build muscle memory. Drills sharpen mechanics.

But you know what doesn’t improve your game? Picking up scores of balls after every drill session.

That’s where the Kollectaball K-Max Ball Collector rolls in—literally. The lightweight tool scoops up loose pickleballs in seconds, saving your back (and your patience) during practice.

🎯 Why It Belongs in Your Bag…or. realistically, the backseat of your car:

✔ Holds 40–60 pickleballs
✔ Eliminates constant bending and reaching (great for injury prevention)
✔ Doubles as ball storage—hang it on a fence or park it courtside
✔ Makes solo or group drilling way more efficient (and fun)

You’ll find it for $40–$60 at places like Pickleball Central (free shipping on orders over $69) and Amazon. Whether you’re a player pushing your skills or a coach running clinics, this simple tool changes how you practice.

Because drilling is great. Improving is great. But picking up balls one by one is OVER.

Around the Picklesphere

🌴 THE Hawaiian pickleball experience
📅 Must-visit pickleball events in 2025
❣️ Pickleball makes all the difference for cancer survivors
😶 When the net absolutely humbles you

The Rare Triple Crown

History was made in South Florida recently as Boca Raton’s own Will Howells pulled off a rare triple crown at the 2025 APP Fort Lauderdale Open—becoming just the 5th man in APP Tour history to win singles, doubles, and mixed doubles gold at the same tournament.

But the real pressure came in mixed doubles. Playing alongside Bobbi Oshiro, Howells had one more challenge to complete the triple. The pair showed chemistry and control, defeating Megan Fudge and Jack Munro (who Will played with earlier in Men’s) 11-4, 11-6 to seal the crown.

“I trust [Bobbi] a lot,” Howells said. “She’s super steady and super positive—and it’s always a blast playing with her.”

Howells is the first men’s player to accomplish the triple crown since 2022, and his performance lit up Championship Sunday at The Fort, APP’s global HQ.

TAKE ACTION

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