Top Picks for Eye Protection in 2026

MLP Blockbuster Trade. A Paddle Company Built on Comedy.

Author

Empower Pickleball
June 16, 2026

It was a historic weekend in sports—and pickleball wasn't sitting this one out.

The Knicks clinched their first championship in a generation, the Canes lifted the Cup, and the World Cup kicked off in front of roaring crowds. If you blinked, you missed something big.

But while the rest of the sports world was busy making history, pickleball was right there with it. MLP rolled into Austin with a stacked event, and APP brought the heat to Cincinnati. Two more reminders that our sport isn't just along for the ride anymore—it's part of the conversation.

Let's get into it.

Inside:

  • Why every beginner should learn the drive before the drop

  • How a comedy brand and a paddle startup became Friday Pickleball

  • The eyewear picks worth adding to your gear bag in 2026

🏆 The 5s Keep Rolling, Stewart & Munro Strike Gold

Photo Credit: Major League Pickleball

The New Jersey 5s are not slowing down.

  • Fresh off their MLP Columbus win two weeks ago, the 5s rolled into Austin Pickle Ranch and walked away with a second event win, taking down Columbus 3-1 on Super Sunday

  • Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson were the engine all weekend, they led the 5s to an undefeated 6-0 record in Austin

Trade news: Danni Townsend has been traded to Dallas with Tyra Black headed to Columbus in return. The move has people wondering if the Flash are shifting into seller mode—and if so, it could set up a reunion for JW Johnson and his sister Jorja, who'd be teaming up together in Clowntown

Double Gold on the Riverfront

The APP Vlasic Classic packed Cincinnati's riverfront, and two players made sure everyone left talking about them: Katerina Stewart and Jack Munro each doubled up on gold.

  • Katerina Stewart went two-for-two, claiming Women's Singles and Women's Doubles with Riley Bohnert

  • Jack Munro matched her stride for stride, taking Men's Doubles with Richard Livornese, Jr. and Mixed Doubles with Jill Braverman

  • Not to be outdone: Dusty Boyer broke through for his first career APP Tour gold in Men's Singles—the wait is over

👉 Catch up on the MLP action here or check out the APP fanfare here.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

🎧 You’re guaranteed to learn something new about the game on 99% Pickleball
🥊 Give your serve the upgrade it’s been missing
🎨 This paddle is a work of art and could be yours
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Be a part of the solution, donate to Stop Alzheimer’s Now

🧠 Why Beginners Should Learn the Drive Before the Drop

Everyone tells new players to master the third-shot drop. Here's the problem: it's one of the hardest shots in the game, and most beginners aren't ready for it. A controlled third-shot drive at 60% power is a better place to start—and it actually makes your drop easier to learn later.

Here's what makes it work:

  • 60% power, not full swing—enough pace to pressure the net team, but not so fast that you lose control

  • Topspin is non-negotiable—a flat drive sits up and gets put away; topspin makes the ball dip and forces a tough dig

  • The goal is the fifth shot, not a winner—a low, uncomfortable drive creates a weak return you can work with

The three mistakes that kill this shot: overhitting, gripping too tight through contact, and driving flat. Dial back the effort, brush up through the ball, and watch how quickly your third shot becomes a weapon instead of a liability.

👉 Read the full breakdown on how to build this shot from the ground up.

Your Feet Might Be Taking More Damage Than You Realize

Hard courts, constant movement, and playing multiple days a week can add up fast on your feet, knees, and joints.

Designed to help reduce impact and fatigue, Zelus Insoles use patented SmartCells cushioning technology to absorb force and support better alignment during play.

A few standout benefits:

  • Reduced foot and joint fatigue

  • Better cushioning during long sessions

  • Added support without bulky stiffness

  • Built for both performance and recovery

Less soreness. More support. More time on court.

👉 Use code EMPOWER15 for 15% off.

🎥 Meet the Brand That Skipped the Pros and Went Viral Instead

Friday Pickleball almost didn't exist—and now it's one of the fastest-growing names in the sport.

The brand's origin is a happy accident: Matt and André set out to build an affordable, high-performance paddle, while three friends in Kansas City—Jake, Scott, and Isaac—were separately building a comedy content brand under the same name. Instead of fighting over it, they merged.

That mashup is exactly why Friday feels different. Their motto, "It's Just Pickleball," shows up in funny skits and relatable content rather than spec sheets and pro endorsements.

They've also stripped the intimidation out of buying a paddle—no swing weight or carbon-face jargon, just simple options like the Original, Fever, and Aura. And the price tag backs up their whole philosophy: the Original starts at $69, while flagship brands elsewhere routinely run $250–$300.

Bottom line: Friday built a following before they sold a single paddle, then made sure the paddles were actually affordable once people showed up.

👉 Learn what’s next for Friday Pickleball here.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 APP Expands to Host Record-Breaking Birmingham Tournament

The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and Pickleball England announced an expanded partnership, signaling pickleball's growth well beyond American borders.

  • What: The 2026 English Open, August 11–16 at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre

  • Scale: Expected to draw 3,000+ players from 45+ countries—the largest indoor pickleball tournament in the world

  • Details: 120 divisions (junior, wheelchair, para, open), the Unity Cup team competition, and a $50,000 prize purse

Beyond the impressive numbers, the real story is what the sport represents: beginners, retirees, wheelchair athletes, and families all sharing the same courts. As APP founder Ken Herrmann put it, this is one of pickleball's standout international events—and a sign of bigger things to come for the game in England and Europe.

👉 Read more about the premier event here.

👓 Top Picks for Eye Protection in 2026

As pickleball gets faster, more players are adding sport-specific glasses to their gear bag—not just for style, but for safety and better ball tracking. Eye doctors report a rise in pickleball-related eye injuries, from minor scrapes to serious retinal damage, and regular sunglasses simply aren't built to handle a fast-moving ball.

When shopping for eyewear, focus on three things: protection (impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses), lens color (clear for indoor, amber/rose tones for outdoor contrast, gray/smoke for bright sun), and comfort (you'll only wear what doesn't fog or slide).

Top picks for 2026:

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