There’s a real shortage of great pickleball memes out there right now… so I guess I’ll just keep making them.

I might have a collection going at this point.

If you’ve got a favorite pickleball meme, please hit reply and share.

These kids are 11–14 years old.

I repeat: ELEVEN TO FOURTEEN.

Just imagine how good the game is going to get when this is the next generation coming up. Wish I’d started younger… but as they say:

Watch the clip to feel inspired... and slightly insecure 😅

From Juice Boxes to Joint Braces, pickleball is a sport you can dominate at every age.

First, we saw the future with the Malaysian youngsters… Now meet the masters.

These super seniors (70+!) are moving better than some of the peeps I saw last week at open play (see for yourself).

Time for a vote. . .

If you struggle to stay calm in the transition zone — or your resets keep popping up — this one’s for you.

In this YouTube Short from Tanner Tomassi, he breaks down one of the most important aspects of making your way to the kitchen line: staying low as you move forward.

Why it matters:
✅ Good players will target your feet when you're on the move
✅ If your drop is high, you’ll already be in position for the downward attack
✅ Staying low keeps your paddle in the right place to lift, not jab

🧠 Bonus observations:

– Notice how he uses two hands on the paddle? That’s no accident. Most pros do this during resets for added stability and control.

– The reset motion is subtle — think gentle lift, not big swing. If the ball already has pace, your job isn’t to generate power; it’s to absorb it. Just get your paddle in the right position with a soft grip, angle the face appropriately, and let the ball’s momentum do the work.

– Soft hands = fewer pop-ups = more points in your favor.

File this under: little things that make a BIG difference.

I stumbled on this gem of an interview with ALW — my first time actually watching one. And wow… she’s only 17? Smart, humble, mature. I was seriously impressed.

It’s a two-part, almost two-hour deep dive — but don’t worry, I pulled the highlights for you.

✅ Youngest Pro Ever?
Anna Leigh Waters possibly became the youngest professional athlete in any sport when she played a pro pickleball tournament at just 11 years old.

🌪️ Accidental Start
She discovered pickleball during Hurricane Irma — she and her mom played out of boredom, and they were hooked after the first session.

💥 Historic Upset
At age 12, she and her mom beat the #1 team in the world, ending their 50+ match win streak.

🏆 Triple Threat
At 14, she earned her first Triple Crown (singles, doubles, and mixed champion).
She’s now racked up 34 triple crowns and 148+ gold medals.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Affair
Her mom left a 15-year law career to coach and travel full-time. Her dad also quit his job to support Anna Leigh’s career on the road.

⚽ Soccer First Love
Before pickleball, soccer was her main sport. She was even offered a chance to play professionally in Germany — but COVID derailed that path.

🧠 Mental Edge
Even as the top player, she admits: “I don’t think I’m good enough.” That mindset fuels her constant drive to improve.

🔧 DIY Paddle Evolution
She and her mom started with a $65 paddle from Dick’s, played so hard they broke it — now she has her signature paddle with PaddleTek.

🧬 Genetics + IQ
Her mom was also world #1 and her doubles partner. Anna credits her success to her sports IQ, her mom/coach credits it to her aggression, and mental toughness — she’s come back from 10–2 deficits more than once.

💰 From $500 to Millions
She’ll earn over $3 million this year, more than any other player — including Ben Johns.
Fun fact: Pickleball is rare among pro sports—prize money and purses on the PPA/MLP circuit are equal for men and women, and women’s doubles often gets more views than the men’s.

🎯 Olympic Dreams
Her biggest goal? To compete in pickleball in the Olympics — which she believes could happen within the next 8 years.

🧃 She’s Still a Teen
Despite the pressure, she’s still just 17 — she deletes Instagram after losses and says she gets more nervous around kids her age than adults.

If you’ve got two hours to spare, I’d highly recommend watching the full thing. You’ll walk away a fan — if you aren’t one already. Just click on the images above and you’ll be taken to the vids.

If you’re leaving this inbox 1% wiser, 20% more fired up, or plotting your next Erne... then I’ve done my job.

📥 Got a viral clip I missed? A pro tip I need to try? Or just wanna send a digital high five? Hit reply — I read every single one.

📤 Know someone who’d eat this up like a post-game protein bar? Forward it their way.

Until next Friday — keep your paddle up and your takes spicy.

– JP

P.S. 🗞️ If this was forwarded to you, don’t miss the next drop — you can subscribe right here.