Happy Friday, Mount Dora and neighbors! 🥒 Afternoon storms are in the forecast this weekend, so play early, and we've got some indoor options for you. We also added a big batch of new places to the directory.
Coming up
- Sat Oct 10-11 - Junior Fall Challenger Singles and Doubles - Orlando - junior tournament at the USTA National Campus.
- Fri Oct 23 - Norden Leacox Charity Pickleball Tournament - Apopka - charity day at The Picklr Orlando North.
- Sat Oct 24 - Hearts & Paddles Pickleball Classic - Sanford - charity tournament for the American Heart Association.
- Sun Oct 25 - 2nd Annual Pickleball Tournament at Crush Yard - Kissimmee.
- Wed Oct 28-30 - Geezer Meister 2026 - Summerfield.
- Sat Nov 7-8 - Edward Jones Rally for Memories Pickleball Classic - Summerfield.
- Fri Nov 13-14 - Big Sun Tournament - Ocala - hosted by the Ocala Pickleball Club.
- Sat Dec 5 - Dawg Days at Diadem - Sanford - one-day indoor tournament.
- Looking for a game this weekend instead? See open play near you.
- Know of a clinic, round robin, or tournament? Send it in here and we'll add it.
New on PickleBoom
We added 75 new places since last week's issue. The directory now lists 196 spots to play. A few highlights:
Ocala
- Coehadjoe Park: eight lighted outdoor courts, free to play. It's home to Ocala Pickleball Club open play.
- Tuscawilla Park: lighted outdoor courts, free.
- Clyatt Park: three free courts lined over tennis courts. The net is a bit taller, and there are lights and restrooms.
- Frank DeLuca YMCA Family Center: indoor and outdoor courts.
Rainy-day picks (indoor)
- DinkPlex in Sanford: 8 padded indoor courts, a lounge and a pro shop. Its website still says "Coming Soon," so check that it's open before you drive over.
- Orlando Indoor Pickleball Club in Oviedo: air-conditioned, and you reserve court time. It's listed at $25 an hour per court.
- Orlando Racket Sports: climate-controlled courts, open play and leagues. There's a fee to play.
- West Orange Recreation Center in Winter Garden: indoor courts, one-time fee.
Near The Villages
- Engage Pickleball Pro Shop in Oxford: a factory-direct paddle shop with demo paddles to try before you buy.
Orlando area outdoor courts
- Phelps Park in Winter Park and Riverside Park in Oviedo, both free.
- Trotwood Park in Winter Springs.
Plus dozens more on the site: playpickleboom.com.
Local news
It was a quiet stretch. I couldn't confirm any Lake County, Villages, Ocala, Clermont or Orlando pickleball news from the past two weeks, so I'm skipping this section rather than padding it. If you've heard about a new court, a league, or a city meeting, hit reply and tell us.
Around the pickleball world
- Las Vegas shocker. The top seeds fell in four of the five events at the PPA Las Vegas Open. Ben Johns lost all three of his gold medal matches, including an 11-1, 11-3 loss to Hunter Johnson in singles. (Recap)
- Bright and Patriquin beat the top mixed team. Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin beat Johns and Anna Leigh Waters 11-9, 11-7 in the mixed final. Patriquin celebrated his 21st birthday that week. (Source)
- Waters sits on 199. Waters and Bright won women's doubles, which put her at 199 career PPA titles. Number 200 will have to wait.
- Chicago is next. The tour's Chicago stop is already producing upsets, with a lower-ranked player knocking out No. 3 seed Hunter Johnson. (Story)
Tip of the week
Learn the third shot drop, but start small. After the serve and return, the serving team usually hits a soft shot that lands in the opponents' kitchen. That gives your team time to move forward. Don't try to hit it perfectly. Aim for the middle of the kitchen with an easy arc and bend your knees. Hit 20 of them before open play, then try it in a game. A decent drop beats a hard drive into a net-ready opponent.
Weekend court check
Here's what the National Weather Service says for Mount Dora:
- Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, high near 90. Storms become likely late in the afternoon and evening (60% chance).
- Sunday: High near 86, with a 50% chance of showers and storms from the morning on. Gusts up to 20 mph.
Best bet: Play early. Saturday morning looks like the best window of the weekend. If it's pouring Sunday, head indoors (see the indoor picks above). Wet courts are slippery, so skip them until they dry. And drink plenty of water, it's still hot.
Got an event, clinic, or tournament? Submit it here. And if you like The Friday Dink, forward it to a pickleball buddy. See you on the courts!
Issue date: October 9, 2026. Events and times can change, so always check with the venue before you go.