David Zapatka While cruising the Mediterranean for two months, I had the opportunity to talk with many guests about pickleball. The story is the same all over the world. From Australia to Europe, from Latin America to Asia, guests said pickleball is sweeping their country, courts are being built in their cities and there’s excitement…
Tag: pickleball
October 2026, Clubs & Classes, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: The Power of Stillness in Pickleball
David Zapatka Pickleball is a game of movement, quick reactions, and constant decision-making. However, one of the most valuable skills a player can develop is something that appears to be the opposite of all that activity: stillness. Learning to quiet the mind, remain calm, and stay composed between and during points can dramatically improve both…
September 2026, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Is Pickleball Really America’s Fastest-Growing Sport?
David Zapatka Not only is the answer to that question a resounding “Yes!” but it is also an absolute phenomenon. Pickleball was named America’s fastest-growing sport for the fifth consecutive year following 2025, when data showed 24.3 million players in the U.S. alone, a 171.8% increase over the previous three years, as reported by the…
August 2026, Clubs & Classes
Relishing Pickleball: The Wild, Wonderful World of Pickleball
David Zapatka There’s something audacious about the name. Pickleball. Say it out loud. You can’t help but grin. It turns out that is exactly the point! Millions of people are discovering that a paddle, a whiffle-like ball, and a court the size of a badminton court can do something that gyms and wellness apps cannot.…
July 2026, Clubs & Classes
Relishing Pickleball: Improve Your Pickleball Dinking Techniques
David Zapatka The dink is pickleball’s most nuanced shot, deceptively simple to learn, endlessly deep to master. While beginners treat it as a stopgap between rallies, advanced players weaponize it. Here’s how to transform your dinking game from passive to dominant. Elite dinks share three qualities. They land in the kitchen, stay low over the…
Sports, June 2026
Relishing Pickleball: Resetting the Rally
David Zapatka Momentum can shift in an instant. One moment you’re in control, dictating pace and placement; the next, your opponents are driving balls at your feet and forcing you into defensive scrambles. That’s where the art of resetting the rally becomes essential. A well executed reset doesn’t just keep you in the point, it…
June 2026, Front Page
Robson Women’s Pickleball Players in Action!
Doris Betuel From January and through March, 2026, several teams of Robson Ranch pickleball players participated in the Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) play. What is the APPL? It is a statewide organization of competitive league play in six distinct regions. The Robson players were in the Casa Grande region. After 10 weeks of organized,…
May 2026, Clubs & Classes, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Sun, Sweat, and Lobs
David Zapatka Summer is coming and the sun is out. The sun is beautiful, but it’s also a genuine challenge on the pickleball court. We love playing in it and we occasionally curse it while squinting into a lob we’ve completely lost. Playing pickleball in the sun is a complicated relationship. You need a strategy.…
April 2026, Clubs & Classes
Relishing Pickleball: Playing in the Wind
David Zapatka Wind is the great equalizer on the pickleball court. It doesn’t matter how polished your dink game is or how powerful your drive is; a stiff breeze can turn your best shots into unforced errors in a hurry. The good news is that with a few smart adjustments, you can use the wind…
March 2026, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Hitting an Overhead
David Zapatka Have you noticed how often people are hitting lobs these days or is it just me? Think SMASH! The overhead smash is one of the most satisfying and effective shots in pickleball. When executed well, it can end a rally immediately or put your opponents on the defensive. However, many players struggle with…