We’re all aware of the tennis v. pickleball fight, right? Much of it is overblown, an easy headline for nationally syndicated programs to pick apart over and over.

But behind those headlines, there is a basic question that still needs answering: how should limited court space be divided between tennis and pickleball?

And one community has reached an inflection point which may influence how that question is answered around the country…

…No surprise, it’s in Florida

Nowhere is the tennis v. pickleball thing more intense than in Boynton Beach, where a recent referendum at Valencia Shores, a 55+ community, aimed to convert another tennis court into pickleball and bocce courts.

The proposal was struck down, but not without controversy.

• Tennis players, already down two courts, pushed back hard, while some residents opposed the $1,000+ assessment fee.

• Others accused the HOA board of mishandling the process.

• “The name-calling was just crazy,” said board member Gail Silverman, describing the deep divisions in the community.

Many residents hoped to upgrade existing courts to asphalt for league play, but that plan was also blocked, adding fuel to the fire.

Now, the upcoming HOA elections could determine the future of racquet sports in the community while setting a precedent for similar communities around the country.

Will the tide turn in pickleball’s favor, or will tennis hold the line?

Better Partner Communication in ONE Word

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: You can dramatically improve your on-court communication with just one word: “no!”

Yelling that simple, one-syllable word is one of the best ways to warn your partner that the ball may be going out. It’s actionable, direct, and commanding; and it takes milliseconds less time to say than “let it bounce!” or “let it go!” (in a game where milliseconds count, that’s a plus).

Plus, “no” won’t technically count as a distraction if you’re playing in a tourney. If the ball is coming to your side, saying “out!” may cause confusion, leading your opponents to think they hit an out ball even if they didn’t. “No” simply tells your partner: “hey, that may go out.”

Of course, simply saying “no!” leaves a bit of room for interpretation:

→ You don’t want your partner thinking that they shouldn’t be ready to hit it at all if it does land in.

Communicate with them before your next game starts. Tell them you like to say “no!” because it’s a great catch-all and takes less effort to say in-game.

The Future of Pickleball is Here—And It’s Foam

The CRBN TruFoam Genesis is literally changing the game.

Made with a 100% foam core, this paddle delivers the perfect balance of power, precision, and control, helping you play smarter and strike cleaner.

🔥Exclusive for Empower readers: Take 10% off with code EMPOWER10 at checkout. Buy it here.

If the tennis people have their way…

…we’ll have to ditch multi-use courts and look back at America’s forgotten space, The Mall. But is that such a bad thing?

• They’ve got large ceilings for lob-loving picklers

• They’re zoned to be free of noise complaining neighbors

• They are looking to fill space

Case in point: The Pickle Parlor, an upcoming 24-hour pickleball facility coming to the former 10,000-square-foot Ulta Beauty space at the Monroeville Mall in Pennsylvania.

At first, we were giggling at the thought of an octogenarian playing pickleball at 2 AM…or even a 30 year old barely scraping by past midnight (cough cough).

Honestly, though, this is what pickleball needs: a solution for those who don’t work a typical schedule (or don’t have a sleep schedule).

Win Fresh DILLY LIFE Gear 🎁

Fresh pickleball gear and a chance to win it for free? We’re in. We’ve teamed up with DILLY LIFE for a giveaway, and you don’t want to miss this.

Head to our Instagram to enter - because free gear looks good on everyone. But hurry, the giveaway ends TOMORROW, February 12, 2024 at 11:59pm ET.

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