Your Defense Breaks Down Here

Slam 4 results, what’s happening at the US Open, what’s hurting your game, and what to fix next.

Author

Empower Pickleball
April 16, 2026

Pickleball Slam 4 wrapped last night, with Team Tennis—Andre Agassi and James Blake—taking the win. Our power duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Genie Bouchard fought a hard battle, but it was still a fun one to watch.

Speaking of ALW, she’s got a full booth setup at the US Open Pickleball Championships this week. She’s been at the top for a while, but this feels like a different kind of year—more visibility, more partnerships, and really starting to build something with her brand.

We were watching Naples closely earlier this week a the wildfires spread, but now that things are largely contained, play is moving forward—and the weekend is shaping up to be a big one.

Some of the early events are already wrapped—split age brought strong finishes from familiar names like Bobbi Oshiro, Eva Welsher, Lee Whitwell, Megan Fudge, and Simone Jardim.

Mixed pro doubles are up next, followed by semifinals Friday and championships on Saturday.

TIPS & TRICKS

Your Defense Breaks Down Here

Last week, we talked about how the backhand isn’t always the weakness anymore.

This week, we’re flipping that a bit.

Senior Pro Gina Cilento breaks down why the backhand is the most stable option when the game speeds up—and why it holds up better in fast exchanges, resets, and hand battles.

It’s not about hitting harder. It’s about having something that works when everything else speeds up.

💡 Why It Matters: The players who can defend are the ones who stay in points longer—and win more of them.

👉 See why the backhand is your best defensive tool.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

This Is Ruining Your Games (And No One Talks About It)

It usually starts small. Something feels off—a little irritation, nothing you think twice about.

Then you get home and realize… yeah, that got worse.

Pickleball makes this happen more than most people expect because of how much you’re moving, stopping, and playing through sweat.

It’s chafing—and once it starts, it doesn’t really go away mid-match until you deal with it.

Here’s where it shows up most:

  • Inner thighs

  • Around sports bra bands or straps

  • Underarms

  • Groin area

  • Feet

💡 Why It Matters: If you ignore it early, it starts affecting how you move—and how long you stay on the court.

👉 Here’s how to deal with it before it gets worse.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

She Turned Pickleball Into a Family Lifestyle

If you’ve spent any time around pickleball online, you’ve probably seen Pickleballmama.

But Audrey Banada’s story goes way beyond the content.

From a former All-American tennis player to raising three kids inside the sport, she’s built something that blends competition, family, and community in a way most players can relate to.

💡 Why It Matters: Most players aren’t chasing pro tours—they’re building something around the game, whether they realize it or not.

👉 Read how Pickleballmama built it from the ground up.

For Players Who Don’t Want to Slow the Game Down

Some paddles make you play safe. This is not one of them.

The CRBN TruFoam Barrage is built for players who like to speed things up, win hand battles, and finish points instead of extending them.

It has a really quick, responsive feel—especially on counters and putaways—and still holds up when you don’t catch it perfectly.

If your game leans aggressive, this is one of those paddles that makes that style easier to lean into.

👉 Check out the CRBN TruFoam Barrage and use code EMPOWER10 for 10% off.

  • Students Are Pushing for More Pickleball Courts on Campus 🏫 A student-led proposal at Lafayette College could bring new pickleball courts as demand continues to grow among younger players.

  • Whitney Houston Foundation Is Hosting a Pickleball Tournament 🎤 The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation is launching a pickleball tournament to support youth programs and community initiatives.

  • Flooding Submerges Pickleball Courts in Michigan 🌧️ Severe flooding in Traverse City collapsed a bridge and submerged local courts, forcing cancellations and disrupting play across the area.

We’re Launching Something New

Pickleball is growing fast—but most of that growth isn’t happening on the pro tours.

It’s happening on local courts.

So we built something around that.

We’re launching Empower Circle, a new creator and community network made up of players, coaches, and people growing the game in their own communities.

You’ll start seeing more real perspectives—tips, stories, product testing, and what the game actually looks like outside the pro tours.

This is about bringing more of the real pickleball experience into what we share.

👉 Meet Empower Circle and what we’re building.

This Is a Perfect Pickleball Gift

I was trying to find something for my pickleball-obsessed friend that she could use off the court but still feel like her.

Uncommon Goods always has those kinds of finds, and this one got me.

It’s a hand-painted pickleball paddle hair clip. Simple, fun, and one of those things that just works whether you’re playing or not.

I already grabbed one for her… but there were only a handful left when I checked, so I wouldn’t wait on this.

👉 Check out the paddle hair clip.

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

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.