Dink Founder to Anna Bright: 'It's Not About Winning, That Part's Easy'

The singles match of the century goes down Saturday, Dec. 13 at The Dink's Courted Miami pickleball social event: Thomas Shields vs. Anna Bright. A 5.0 vs. a pro. For all the marbles.

In a new video, The Dink Founder and CEO Thomas Shields has a message for world #2 female pickleball pro Anna Bright: "It's not about winning, that part's easy. It's about reestablishing my credibility."

This Saturday, at The Dink's Courted social pickleball event in Miami, Shields and Bright will face off in a best-of-three singles match with everything on the line... for one person, at least.

COURTED MIAMI

Saturday, Dec. 13, Sip & Pickle, Miami
A social mixer with vibes: Pickleball lessons, mini-games, mocktails, music, and a chance to meet new people.

GET TIX NOW >>

This all started when Thomas' DUPR rating was publicly called into question. PPA Tour CEO Connor Pardoe claimed he's not a 5.0 and Bright quickly agreed, chiding: "If you're a 5.0 so is my mom."

We've actually heard Anna Bright's mom is pretty savage with a paddle, but that's neither here nor there.

Anna Bright Agrees to ‘Humble’ The Dink’s Thomas Shields in Singles Match After Trash Talk Escalates

“We’re doing it, I’m bored and humbling men is my favorite pastime.” – World #2 women’s pickleball player Anna Bright.

The Dink PickleballAlex E. Weaver

What matters is one man's pride and reputation. The public shaming had gone far enough, so Thomas levied a challenge to Anna: "If I win, the world must accept me as a 5.0 and all-around awesome person" is probably what he said in his head in the moment.

Anna accepted, mostly because she was going to be in the area already and has faced bigger threats from PPA Juniors: "We’re doing it, I’m bored and humbling men is my favorite pastime."

Now the stage is set for Saturday and one person appears to be taking it far more seriously than the other.

We'll let you decide which is which...