The Pickle Talk
Posts
"Sorry buddy, but I'm not sorry"

"Sorry buddy, but I'm not sorry"

PLUS: Pickleball makes Zillow 2024 home trends + A new take on a DIY wooden pickleball paddle

Welcome back, picklers

Read time: ~5 min

Eugenie Bouchard proudly shares her recent pickleball injury, just a few months into her professional journey. Meanwhile, Lee Chong Wei confidently tries his hand at the sport. It's always a significant victory for the game when professional paddle sports players highlight the sport of pickleball.

Wouldn’t you agree?

Now, on to the newsletter.

How to read The Pickle Talk:

First, don’t click any links just yet. Read it all the way through, and then send it to a friend you think might benefit too.
Next, come back and dive into the links that caught your eye.
Last, go play some pickleball and stir up conversations with your newfound knowledge.

Enjoy :)

TODAY’S BANGERS:

Pickle Talk: Pickleball Apology Etiquette: To Say Sorry or Not?
Bite-Size Pickle: Roger Federer & pickleball. Pickleball makes Zillow’s 2024 trend list. Pro-golfer’s pickleball injury.
Golden Pickle: A new take on a DIY wooden pickleball paddle

Let’s get into some... PICKLE TALK 🎙️

1/ Pickleball Apology Etiquette: To Say Sorry or Not?

Alright, let's dive back into the world of pickleball drama and explore the age-old question: to apologize or not to apologize?

So, picture this: I'm at my local rec center, minding my own business, when I stumble upon a scene straight out of a reality TV show. There's this duo on the pickleball court, and they're in the middle of a heated debate. The bone of contention?

Whether or not an apology is due for a series of losses they've just endured.

One player had a rough day, and their partner is demanding an apology like it's the holy grail of sportsmanship. The other player, not so keen on the idea, flat-out refuses. And, as you can imagine, things escalate faster than a ball on a serve. Soon enough, they're locked in a verbal showdown that would make even the most seasoned reality TV stars blush.

Now, let's break it down, shall we?

First up, there's the unwritten rulebook of sports etiquette. In games like tennis, badminton, and table tennis, apologizing for slip-ups is practically second nature.

It's seen as a mark of respect, a way to smooth things over and keep the game flowing.

Then, there's the whole psychology behind apologizing.

Turns out, there are two main types: the genuine apology, where you're genuinely sorry for messing up, and the strategic apology, where you're just trying to keep the peace. Both have their pros and cons: a genuine apology clears the air and fosters forgiveness, while a strategic apology might not do much in the way of resolving underlying issues but moving past potential conflict.

In most sports cases, we are referring to a strategic apology.

But here's the thing: at the end of the day, it's not about the apology itself, but rather the acknowledgment of what went down.

A simple "my bad" or a nod of recognition can go a long way in showing that you're aware of your slip-ups and ready to move on.

If those two players at the rec center had just swallowed their pride and thrown out a quick "oops," maybe they wouldn't have ended up in such a mess.

So, what's the takeaway from all this drama?

Well, maybe it's time to rethink our approach to apologies on the pickleball court. Instead of getting caught up in who's right and who's wrong, let's focus on keeping the vibe positive and the game moving.

And hey, if all else fails, there's always the option of finding a new partner for next time. After all, life's too short for petty squabbles on the court.

BITE-SIZE PICKLES

1/ ➜ Happenings: Pickleball earns Zillow 2024 home trends

The sport is hitting home trends lists for 2024 with a whopping 64% increase in mentions on Zillow listings compared to last year. From bustling city streets to serene suburban neighborhoods, pickleball courts are becoming a coveted amenity, capturing the attention of both home buyers and sellers alike.

According to Joy Kim Metalios, a Zillow Premier Agent partner, pickleball courts are emerging as a sought-after feature, with homeowners converting driveways into makeshift courts using portable nets and even painting new lines on existing sports or tennis courts.

This trend underscores pickleball's status as the latest must-have entertaining feature, akin to outdoor kitchens or pizza ovens, enhancing the value and appeal of residential properties across the country.

***

2/ ➜ Happenings: Federer acknowledges pickleball, finally

Roger Federer, the legendary tennis maestro, recently spilled the beans on pickleball, the sensation sweeping across the USA. Speaking from San Francisco, where the 2025 Laver Cup buzz is brewing, Federer admitted he's never dipped his toes into pickleball waters, only dabbling in padel twice.

But with tennis greats like Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova diving headfirst into pickleball, Federer hinted he might give it a whirl soon. Since hanging up his tennis racquet after the 2022 Laver Cup, Federer's been exploring life beyond the court. ***

3/ ➜ Happenings: Pro-golfer misses Masters due to pickleball injury

Bernhard Langer, the stalwart of golf, faces an unexpected setback as he misses out on the Masters for only the second time in 40 years due to an Achilles tendon tear from none other than pickleball.

The two-time Masters champion, who was gearing up for his final appearance at Augusta, revealed the injury on the "Musings on Golf" podcast, attributing it to a pickleball mishap during his fitness regimen. Despite the setback, Langer remains undeterred, aiming for a comeback at the Insperity Invitational in Houston. With surgery behind him and determination in his heart, Langer's eyes remain fixed on the greens of Augusta and beyond.