Retired athletes unite

The Backhand Advantage:

This week’s key to the game sounds simple, but nonetheless, it’s important.

It’s to prioritize your backhand when the ball approaches your body. Instead of using a forehand, defend with your backhand as it offers a wider range of coverage, including the left, left shoulder, chest, and even the right side. Many beginners rely on forehands because they feel more comfortable, but mastering the backhand allows you to punch the ball forward with ease.

The second aspect of this is crucial for using your backhand effectively. Keep the back of your hand facing the net, ensuring that your knuckles point towards your opponents. Avoid the common mistake of inverting your backhand, which turns your palm towards the net. This awkward positioning restricts your offensive capabilities and may cause the ball to veer off course.

Keeping the back of your hand towards the net will help you defend and execute shots more efficiently in front of your body.

Legends Play Again:

The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) has joined forces with industry leaders and retired professional athletes to launch PBX Pickleball. This new organization, featuring advisors like Kevin Youkilis and Tino Martinez, aims to attract top retired athletes from baseball, hockey, football, and basketball.

It has already formed partnerships with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) and the NHL Alumni Association, with further collaborations yet to be revealed.

PBX Pickleball will offer four experiences: PBX Tour, PBX Pro-Ams, PBX Dream Weekends, and PBX Corporate Experiences. These experiences will bring together retired sports stars turned pickleball players, allow amateurs to play with former stars, provide ultimate pickleball experiences for enthusiasts, and offer customizable corporate events with retired athletes.

PBX Pickleball will incorporate the charities and nonprofit organizations of retired players on a national scale. The SFC, with its extensive network of venues, will book and promote PBX Pickleball events across the country. Notable participants, dates, venues, broadcast partners, and sponsors will be announced soon. The goal is to leverage the growing popularity of pickleball and the competitive spirit of retired athletes to create exciting experiences for fans.

1- Next week, the APP is preparing to hold its biggest tournament to date, the 2023 APP Newport Beach Open. Taking place from June 28 to July 3 at the renowned Tennis and Pickleball Club in Newport Beach, this event is expected to attract over 1,400 participants. Among them, more than 1,100 amateur players will participate in the competition, a regular highlight of APP tournaments, alongside the top professional male and female players.

2- Riley Newman and Matt Wright, successful pickleball partners, have decided to split after winning 23 medals together in 18 months. Newman, known for his dynamic playstyle, made the announcement on Instagram, and both players will be seeking new partners for future competitions.

3- The APP expands its global presence in the pickleball community through a new collaboration with Pickleball Sweden. The partnership involves the APP's promotion of the 2023 GAMMA Sweden Open powered by The APP, a tournament authorized by the Swedish Pickleball Association and scheduled for September 22-24 in Helsingborg, Sweden.

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