When I don’t play pickleball, I write about it…

I Saw the Light
Still playing “lights out”—literally—at St. Matt’s pickleball. No word yet on when the new lights will be installed. Despite the dim conditions, meetups remain popular, with players showing up under less-than-ideal circumstances.

It’s Not You, It’s Me
Like speed dating, partner switching in professional pickleball has become the norm. Even Ben and Colin Johns, dominant champions for years, are splitting up in 2025 to pursue new partnerships. Many pros are following suit, aiming for gold medals and bigger paydays. Pair splitting also happens at the recreational level, but with much less drama.

Offers I Could Refuse
PickleballTV, the online media service, now offers subscriptions: $5.99/month or $59.99/year. While I enjoy watching pickleball online, PickleballTV doesn’t yet match the production quality of Tennis Channel. From a business perspective, it feels premature to charge for a service that’s still refining its offerings.

Meanwhile, MeetUp has introduced MeetUp+ with subscription features that were previously free. Since being acquired by Bending Spoons last year, the platform feels outdated and in need of a refresh—not exactly a premium experience worth the added cost.

What Goes Up, Must Come Down
Pickleball’s growth is impressive, but industry players should tread carefully. If I were a paddle manufacturer, coach, or facility owner, I’d focus on competitive pricing, branding and quality. Just like the stock market, a “correction” could be on the horizon, forcing adjustments in strategy.

Crystal Ball Outlook
An analysis of DUPR scores shows the median player rating at 3.29, meaning half of players score higher and half lower. I predict the median will rise to around 3.50 in the next five years as younger players pick up the sport in schools and colleges.

To Lob or Not to Lob—No Longer the Question
Lobbing in pickleball can be as polarizing as playing with the sun in your eyes or battling high winds. Offensive lobs are often seen as unfair and even risky in social games, where players can injure themselves chasing down balls. I’ve decided to reserve lobs for defensive purposes in casual matches, but in a competitive game, all bets are off!

Takin’ Care of Business
The business side of pickleball risks overshadowing the sport itself. Pro pickleball is a mess, with issues like financial instability, disputes over illegal paddles, ever-changing rules, and player misconduct. Thankfully, the recreational game has largely been insulated from these woes—for now.

Three Best Pickleball Podcasts

• King of the Court with Tyler Loong and Jimmy Miller
• PicklePod with Zane Navratil and Thomas Shields
• Tennis Sucks with Travis Rettenmaier and Graham D’Amico