We had some pro events happen this past weekend at MLP Austin and in APP New York. We had some surprising finishers, new podium winners, and a player that is on a streak beating two world #1 players in PPA & APP in back-to-back weeks, not too shabby. We interviewed him on Monday, and will post the interview and clips next week (we’ll let you know which social channels). Also, we’ll provide two exercises this week to help you improve your pickleball play (yes, we’re doing 2). This week, we’ll be going over:

• MLP Austin recap

• APP New York Recap - Crum gets to the finals

• Get a Leg Up on Your Game: The Power of Calf Raises

• Split Step, Don’t Skip Step: The Secret Sauce to Better Pickleball

Keep hydrating on the courts ladies and gents, let’s get right into it.

MLP Austin Recap

This past Memorial Day weekend, the Austin Pickle Ranch buzzed with energy as Major League Pickleball (MLP) returned to its roots for the third event of the 2025 season. The Dallas Flash continued their dominant run, going 4-0 and maintaining an undefeated 8-0 season record. They secured victories over Miami and Orlando in regulation and triumphed over New Jersey and Texas in DreamBreakers, showcasing their resilience and depth.

The New Jersey 5s also made a significant impact, earning 10 out of a possible 12 points. Their men's doubles duo, Will Howells and Zane Navratil, went 4-0, defeating top teams and demonstrating their prowess. Although they lost to the Flash in a DreamBreaker, the 5s showcased their potential and are now tied with Dallas in points for the weekend.

In the Challenger Level, the Las Vegas Night Owls emerged as the team to beat. With players like Pablo Tellez and Brooke Buckner, they dominated their matches and are poised to lead the Challenger standings. The Austin event highlighted the depth of talent across both Premier and Challenger levels, setting the stage for an exciting season. The next event will be this week in Phoenix May 29th-June 1st.

APP New York recap - Crum Gets to the Finals

The 2025 Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open, held from May 20–25 at the iconic USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, brought a surge of pickleball excitement to the Big Apple. As the APP Tour's second Major of the year and a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket qualifier, the event attracted top-tier talent and enthusiastic fans. The atmosphere was electric, with players battling fiercely for ranking points, prize money, and a coveted spot at Nationals.

In Men's Doubles, Jack Munro continued his impressive 2025 streak by clinching another gold medal. With his usual partner, Will Howells, competing in Major League Pickleball, Munro teamed up with a new partner, Aiden Schenk, and still emerged victorious, showcasing his adaptability and skill. In Men’s Singles, Alex Crum has been all the buzz these past two weeks on social media. Defeating #1 Federico Staksrud last week, and beating #1 Christopher Haworth in the APP tour this past weekend proved to the pickleball world it wasn’t a fluke. He ended up falling to Armaan Bhatia, winning his first career gold (keep an eye on him in the future). Allison Harris and Bobbi Oshiro won their first women’s doubles title as a team this season, and Sofia Sewing continued her dominant women’s singles run with her fourth gold medal in six events.

The event also showcased a large field of amateur players from across the country and the AARP Champions and Masters Pro Divisions for pros 50 and over. Gold medalists from the event earned a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket and secured their rights to pre-register for the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships, and all amateur medalists earned an APP Passport guaranteeing pre-registration for the season-ending 2025 APP Tour Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Get a Leg Up on Your Game: The Power of Calf Raises

Want to add a little extra pop to your pickleball step? Meet your new best friend: the humble calf raise. It might look simple—just rising up onto your toes and lowering back down—but this small movement packs a powerful punch. Strong calves mean quicker lateral movement, better balance at the kitchen line, and explosive power when you're sprinting for that sneaky drop shot your opponent thought was a winner.

Picture this: you're mid-rally, locked in a dink exchange. Your opponent tries to surprise you with a lob. If your calves are firing on all cylinders, you'll push off with ease and glide back for a smooth overhead. That explosive push-off comes from well-trained calf muscles—those often-overlooked heroes of the lower leg. Plus, improved calf strength helps reduce fatigue and ankle injuries, keeping you nimble and in the game longer.

Here’s your challenge: next time you’re brushing your teeth or waiting for your coffee to brew, crank out a few sets of calf raises. Try three sets of 15–20, and make it part of your daily routine. For an extra burn, do them on a step to get a deeper stretch. Simple, fun, and effective—calf raises are a low-effort way to elevate your game. Literally.

Split Step, Don’t Skip Step: The Secret Sauce to Better Pickleball

If you’ve ever watched a top-level pickleball player and wondered how they always seem ready for anything, the answer is probably split stepping. It’s that tiny hop players take just before their opponent hits the ball. It might not look like much, but this little bounce is a big deal—it puts you in a loaded, athletic position so you can explode in any direction the moment the ball leaves your opponent’s paddle. Without it? You're flat-footed, slow to react, and half a step behind—basically pickleball roadkill.

So when should you split step? The magic moment is just before your opponent makes contact with the ball. Not after. Not during. Right before. Think of it like setting a spring: you land softly on the balls of your feet, knees slightly bent, ready to pounce. Whether you're at the baseline preparing to return a serve or hugging the kitchen line during a fast-paced volley battle, the split step is your best bet to stay balanced and quick.