Welcome to the Dink & Drive newsletter

This is an exciting week for tournaments. With the US Open and MLP Orlando happening, it’s going to be a fun competitive time on the courts. Bring out the popcorn and stay glued to your laptop, phone, TV, or at the event. We’ll be going over the following topics to improve your game and keep you updated with the action:

• Dink or Die: Surviving the Kitchen Like a Pro

• Countdown 3 days - The U.S. Open is back

• MLP Orlando: The 2025 Season Kicks Off with Premier-Level Action

• Why lunge? Pros do it, you should probably do it too

• The Evolution of the Right Side Player in Pickleball: From Steady to Savage

Let’s get into it

Dink or Die: Surviving the Kitchen Like a Pro

When I first started playing pickleball, I thought the “kitchen” was something unamusing and boring. . I was very wrong.

Fast forward a few months, and the kitchen became the most intimidating part of the court. I’d crash in, pop the ball up, get slammed, and then do it all over again. My rallies ended faster than a high schooler’s attention span on TikTok.

But something changed. And now?

I love the kitchen.

It’s where the game really slows down—if you let it.

Here are 3 small tweaks that made a huge difference for me:

1. Soften That Grip

I used to grip my paddle like I was trying to strangle it. But when I loosened up (think 5 out of 10 on a grip scale) when dinking —tighten it on the volleys (think 8 out of 10 on grip scale), my hands got softer, my dinks got smoother, and I stopped sending balls to get slammed on.

2. Paddle Up = Panic Down

The simple habit of keeping my paddle at chest height and slightly out in front leaned to the backhand helped me react way faster during fast exchanges. You’ll be surprised how much less you flinch when your paddle’s already in the fight. Assume the ball is coming back, always.

3. Learn to Love the Dink War

I used to get bored and try to end points too soon. Now I treat each dink like a chess move. Patience creates pressure—and pressure creates pop-ups. Look for that dead dink, and go for the speed-up. Boom.

The kitchen doesn’t have to feel like a hot mess. Next time you’re playing, try just one of these shifts and see what happens. With faster paddles, speed up when you have the opening, but remain patient and look for that pop up or dead dink.

👉 Challenge for You: Pick one of the tips above and give it a real go in your next game.

See you at the kitchen (where the real fun begins)

Countdown 3 days - The U.S. Open is back

The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, FL is back this weekend. If you were one of the lucky people to get picked from the lottery, you’re playing this weekend and will look to bring back home the gold. With over 3,000 players from around the world and 50,000 spectators expected to attend, the US Open isn’t just a tournament—it’s the ultimate pickleball experience. Enthusiasts from all 50 states and 31 countries—from Armenia to Zimbabwe—gather for this iconic event. Whether you're a seasoned player or just getting your feet wet in the sport, this event sets the standard for competition, community, and celebration. From amateur, pro and interesting divisions like split age (one player < 49 years old, and the other over 50**)** the energy is electric, and the entire pickleball world turns its eyes to Naples, FL.

For those of us who eat, sleep, and breathe pickleball, the US Open is more than just a spectacle—it’s a reminder of how far our sport has come. Founded in 2016, it was the first, and still remains, the largest event in all of pickleball. Anna Leigh Waters will be playing alongside tennis legend Andre Agassi (yeah, you read that right), and other top APP players including Will Howells and Jack Munro. If you're looking to feel inspired, learn from the best, or just soak in the buzz, this is the weekend to do it. It’ll be streamed live on the Pickleball Channel on YouTube and Facebook, tune in, you don’t want to miss the exciting action. I’ll be competing at the U.S. Open this Sunday in the pro split age division, and I hope to see you there!

MLP Orlando: The 2025 Season Kicks Off with Premier-Level Action

The 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season also launches this week with MLP Orlando, running from April 24 to 27 at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida. This season opener features all 16 Premier Level teams competing in a four-day tournament that promises thrilling matches and intense rivalries. All the PPA pros you can think of will be playing from Anna Leigh Waters, Anna Bright, Ben Johns, Zane Navartil, you name it. As the first of ten regular-season events, MLP Orlando sets the tone for a season packed with elite coed team play, culminating in the MLP Cup this November.

Hosted by the Orlando Squeeze, the event offers fans a chance to witness top-tier pickleball in a vibrant atmosphere. You can watch the matches on PickleballTV and the PickleballTV App. Sit back, relax, and watch the pros battle it out.

Why lunge? The pros do it, you should do it too

Ever wonder why you struggle to reach that low dink outside of your body at the kitchen line? If so, I have the perfect exercise for you, the lateral lunge. Personally (Justin Dages - physical therapist), this is my favorite exercise for training pickleball. Just look at Ben Johns’ form on his backhand dink. If your legs aren’t ready to move with power and control, you’ll be stuck reaching (and probably wobbling) like a baby giraffe. Lateral lunges train your body to shift weight smoothly, stay low, and stay balanced, even when you're stretched out to the edge of your reach. They're not just a workout move—they're a direct translation to that moment when you slide your paddle under the ball and pop it back with finesse instead of flailing.

Start with body weight, 2 sets of 8 each side twice a week. After it gets easier, hold a dumb bell or kettlebell under the chin and add a third set. Soon, you will feel the difference—more control, more confidence, and way fewer awkward stumbles at the net. It’s not just about building big muscles; it’s about building the kind of strength and stability that allows you play smart, stay agile, and have a ton more fun chasing down those devilish dinks. So if you want to level up your kitchen game, lunge it out—your future self at 10–10 in the third game will thank you.

The Evolution of the Right Side Player: From Steady to Savage

Once the quiet technician of the pickleball court, the right side player has undergone a serious glow-up in recent years. Traditionally tasked with consistent dinks, resets, and letting their left-side partner do the heavy lifting in terms of offense, the right side was more about control than chaos. But the game has evolved—thanks in part to faster paddles, more aggressive strategies, and an influx of dynamic talent. With the emergence of thermoformed paddles delivering insane pop and spin, the speed of play has skyrocketed. Right side players now account for roughly 40% of all speed-ups at the pro level, up from just 25% three years ago. No longer just setting the table—they're flipping it.

Enter the new breed of right side aggressors: Gabriel Tardio and Hayden Patriquin. These players aren’t just along for the ride—they're taking the wheel. Tardio, with his jaw-dropping counters and explosive roll volleys, has redefined what it means to play “right.” Patriquin, equally fearless, plays like a left-sider trapped in a right-sider's assignment, attacking from his hip and creating chaos in the middle. This shift has created duos with dual-threats on both wings, forcing opponents to stay honest and rethink traditional strategies. A once defensive position is now a launchpad for offense—and it’s thrilling to watch.

Perhaps the most telling sign of this shift is Ben Johns’ transition from playing with his brother Collin Johns—a classic reset master on the right—to pairing with Gabriel Tardio, a right-side attacker through and through. While Collin’s steadiness helped them dominate for years, Ben’s move to play with Tardio has already shown a notable increase in win percentage and point differential, especially in faster-paced matchups. The contrast in styles is night and day: the methodical, grind-it-out rallies of the Johns brothers have given way to lightning-quick firefights where both players are a constant offensive threat. As pickleball continues to evolve, one thing’s for sure—the right side is no longer the quiet side.