Another week with more big news to share… Empower Pickleball has been named an official media partner of the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR). Together, we’ll spotlight the connection between players and certified coaches. More on that further down.

You'll also find:

• Highlights from two very different PPA events

• How to adjust your game between indoor and outdoor courts

• College pickleball going varsity (and offering scholarships)

• Hydration tips for cooler weather play

And to keep you moving through it all, we’ve got a cross-training plan built for longevity on the court.

🪵 Back to Basics, Big Picture

Two very different tournaments told the same story this weekend: pickleball is evolving in ways you can feel on the court. In Sacramento, players were stripped of their high-end paddles and handed wooden paddles straight out of 1965. In Kuala Lumpur, Asia’s rising stars showed a version of the game that looks nothing like what Americans are used to.

Sacramento’s Vintage Open

If you tuned in, you know it was fascinating to watch pros unlearn their modern habits. No spin. Less power. Mishits everywhere. Suddenly, you could see who had true touch and who relied on the technology.

The broadcast leaned into it, too — Adam Stone and Dave Fleming dissected the history of paddle evolution while players tried to keep points alive with tools that looked like oversized cutting boards. The rallies were slower, footwork mattered more, and every third shot had to be earned. The nostalgia of pickleball turning 60 felt real.

Malaysia’s Panas Cup

Meanwhile, halfway around the world, the PPA Asia stop in Kuala Lumpur showed how quickly the game is expanding — and shifting. With heavy humidity, softer pickleballs, and local crowds packing the stands, rallies stretched long and the style tilted toward badminton and squash: quick hands, smart angles, relentless defense.

American stars still collected medals, but it didn’t look easy. Local players pushed them to three games, extended points past the usual pace, and showed that Asia isn’t just hosting tournaments — it’s building its own pipeline of future stars.

What It All Means

Sacramento was a reminder that sometimes you have to strip the sport down to see what really matters. Malaysia proved that the game is no longer just an American export — it’s becoming something bigger, faster, and more global.

🌍 Around the Picklesphere

🤖 Let AI settle the score for you
👀 How to read opponents and react faster
❄️ Hot-and-cold therapy for post-match recovery

🏓 Indoors or Out? Play Both Like a Pro

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: Switching between gym floors and asphalt isn’t just about swapping shoes — it changes ball speed, footwork, and even your mindset. Champions adapt, and here’s how:

Ball & Pace
⚡ Outdoor: Balls fly faster and stay lower — prepare early and keep your positioning sharp.
🌙 Indoor: Softer, floatier balls mean you’ll need to create the pace with your paddle.

Footwork
👟 Indoor: Dusty floors? Grip shoes are non-negotiable. Stay low and avoid sliding.
🦵 Outdoor: More traction = plant and pivot confidently, but protect your knees.

Lighting & Noise
🧢 Indoor: Track the ball early, hats help block overhead glare. Communicate LOUD.
😎 Outdoor: Sunglasses or a brim block shifting sun. Watch flags or leaves to read the wind.

👉 Get the full guide to mastering indoor vs. outdoor pickleball.

🏡 The Court That Turns Your Backyard Into a Hotspot

Forget hot tubs and fire pits — a VersaCourt is the upgrade that actually gets used. The cushioned tiles stay cooler, protect your joints, and hold up game after game without the cracks and upkeep of concrete.

And it’s not just for pickleball. From basketball to shuffleboard, VersaCourt turns your space into a true neighborhood hangout — the kind of place where friends show up with paddles and kids stick around longer.

👉 Use code EMPOWER for 10% off Pickleball Performance Tiles

📣 Empower Pickleball Partners with PPR

We’re teaming up with the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), the world’s leading pickleball coaching and education group. Together, we’ll deliver coaching content, training tips, and member updates while highlighting the value of certification in raising the standard for instruction.

What this means for players:
📚 More practical coaching insights and training advice in your inbox
🙋 Access to certified coaches who can sharpen your game
🌎 A stronger connection between players and the people teaching the sport

👉 Read the full announcement here.

🎓 Pickleball Just Went Varsity

Pickleball has gone from a “retirement sport” to recruiting pipeline. Drury University in Missouri just became the first college in the U.S. to launch a varsity pickleball program — complete with coaches, gear, travel, and scholarships.

Here’s what it means:

• Student-athletes can now be recruited and funded to play pickleball

• Drury will compete in a new collegiate circuit with stops in UT, SC, VA, and IN

• NCAA recognition is still uncertain, but Drury is setting the precedent

For young players, varsity status opens a real path in the sport — one that could shape pickleball’s future at every level.

👉 Read the story on scholarships and varsity play.

💧 Hydration Isn’t Just a Summer Thing

Cool air can trick you into thinking water isn’t essential, but dehydration sneaks up faster in fall and winter than most players realize. Cold air dulls your thirst cues, sweat evaporates before you notice it, and heated indoor courts dry you out just as much as the sun.

The fix is simple: drink before you play, sip steadily during games, and add electrolytes if you’re on court for long sessions. Moisture-wicking layers help regulate body temperature, and even a warm tea or lightly heated water can keep fluids balanced.

Cooler temps don’t give you a free pass — staying hydrated keeps your reactions sharp and your energy steady through every rally.

👉 Get the full guide to cold-weather hydration.

💪 Build a Body That Lasts on Court

Pickleball rewards quick feet and sharp reactions — but it punishes stiff hips, weak ankles, and shaky cores. A smart cross-training plan blends yoga, strength, and balance so you can keep moving and playing longer.

Here’s what to focus on:
🧘 Yoga & mobility to keep joints happy and flexible
🏋️ Strength work for power and joint protection
⚖️ Balance drills to cut down on falls and awkward lunges
⏱️ Weekly mix of 2–3 mobility sessions + 2 strength days + short balance work daily

Play hard, train smart, and you’ll have a body built to handle long rallies and even longer seasons.

👉 See the full cross-training plan.