Happy Monday!

I’ve been playing pickleball since 2013, and if you told me back then that I would be playing singles on center court against the best player in the world, men’s doubles with one of my favorite tennis players growing up in Donald Young, and then mixed doubles with a 13-year-old prodigy in Elsie Hendershot, I would be blown away.

It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day, but zooming back out a little bit makes me extremely grateful, and it's so impressive to see just what pickleball and professional pickleball have become!

Imagine what it'll be like in another 10 years!

After the Texas Open, I headed back to Austin, which had been taken over by the annual South by Southwest event, which I still don't really understand, but I got to do a fun event with the Texas Ranchers on top of Urban Pickleball!

A bunch of Austin's pro sports teams were in attendance, including the Austin Gamblers (Pro Rodeo), Austin FC (Pro Soccer), League One Volleyball Austin, and the Texas Ranchers!

We put on a fun exhibition with a great crowd, and I introduced the attendees (and my buddy Stefan) to the Nasty Nelson!

On Saturday, I went on a 50-mile bike ride just because I felt like doing something hard, and it was indeed hard, haha.

Most of my Sundays are spent doing recap video work, as you'll see down below!

Here’s your PPA Texas Open Recap:

We got the rematch.

Ben and Anna Leigh versus Anna and Hayden. Same two teams that split the last two finals. One win each, both teams with something to prove, and a 46-mile-per-hour wind gust that tried its best to ruin everyone's Sunday.

Here's what I saw.

Ben and Anna Leigh made real adjustments from Mesa. They took away the middle dink. They covered the court better. They executed in the wind. Give credit where it's due.

But Hayden and Anna basically forgot their own game plan. The middle dink was gone. Anna barely attacked. And without that combination working together, Ben had no reason to stay honest.

I still think Hayden and Anna are the team most likely to challenge the GOATs this year. I said it after Mesa, I'm saying it now. And if you want to tell me I'm wrong, the comments are right there on the video.

Click here to leave me one 😉

Quick Hitters:

One more thing…

Want to get better but can't find a drill partner? These are my favorite solo pickleball drills!

Stay Legendary,

– Zane

P.S. When I can't find a partner, or I want to work on a very specific shot, I use my Lobster Ball Machine. It never gets tired or complains, unlike many of my drill partners!

Also, if you need high-quality, affordable court equipment, I just found out that HarTru offers net systems at a fraction of competitors' prices.

Save 5% by using code Zane5 on Lobster ball machines here:

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Save 10% by using code Zane10 on Hartru Pickleball equipment here:

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