April 20, 2026
Anna Leigh switches to Franklin, the complete guide to the US Open, and where Rochester players are showing up this month
A $10 million paddle deal is either a marketing story or a gear story — and it turns out it is both. This week we got into what Anna Leigh Waters switching to Franklin actually signals about where the equipment side of this sport is headed. We also published the most complete breakdown of the US Open we have written, because rec players deserve to know how that world works.
Anna Leigh Waters Switched to Franklin: What a $10 Million Paddle Deal Means for Pickleball
Anna Leigh Waters left Paddletek after seven years for an estimated $10 million deal with Franklin Sports — the largest player sponsorship in pickleball history.
What Is the US Open Pickleball Championships? The Complete Guide for Rec Players
The US Open Pickleball Championships is the world's largest pickleball tournament — 3,750 players from 53 countries competed in the 2026 edition, up from 800 at the first event in 2016.
It's National Pickleball Month — Here's Where Rochester Players Can Show Up
Rochester has more dedicated pickleball infrastructure than most players realize — Dinkers (16 courts), Fairport Pickleball Club (10 courts), and ROC City anchor a scene that now includes free dedicated outdoor courts at Maplewood Park.
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