The Lab is a high-performance pickleball training facility in Austin.
One private court. Pro-level instruction. On-site fitness and physical therapy.Top pros love playing here. We have fun taking pickleball seriously.
Meet Our Owners: Carlos and Ryan
Carlos “Llama” Di Laura is a pro player who recently signed with the UPA (PPA + MLP). Last season, he coached the Chicago Slice to 2nd place in MLP's Challenger division. As a former D1 tennis player at Texas Tech, he quickly fell in love with pickleball and the grind of competition. If you spot him on tour, cheer for Llama.
Ryan “Picklebald” Dawidjan is a pro pickleball coach and semi-pro player. He is the GM and Coach of Austin’s Major League Pickleball team, the Texas Ranchers, and he also works with several pro players to develop their game. You'll often hear his voice as an analyst on the PPA tour and can sometimes find him at Panda Express.
Meet Our GM: Carolyn
Carolyn “Cpen” Penner has spent her career in tech communications and operations, so she is well-versed when it comes to telling men what to say and do. She ditched running for pickleball (and strength training) a few years ago and hasn’t looked back. You may catch her pulling up PBTV on her phone while at a restaurant.
Our Regular Programming
Live Ball is a way more fun, high-energy way to drill. It’s rapid points with a focus on transition and kitchen play, plus coaching from Ryan or Carlos.Skills clinics are the key to unlocking and improving a range of key shots. You'll develop new weapons, work on technical form, and more.Scrimmages help you get competitive games with players around your level, so you can practice playing under pressure.Open Plays are what you all know and love. Our twist is there will be a max of 6 players, so you can get lots of reps.
Rehab and Fitness
Rapid Recovery Lab is on-site and Guillermo Paiz PT, DPT is the specialist physical therapist. "G" is a former college tennis player and a fixture at Austin-based pickleball and padel tournaments.The Lab hosts weekly fitness classes led by the extremely smart and fit Joshua Orenstein that build pickleballers into better athletes.
Our Partners 🙏
We've partnered with a select group of companies to help players level up their game and to help The Lab be what it is today. We believe in their products and the people behind them.
Use code "TheLab" on their site.
Bodhi Pickleball
The Official Grip of The Lab. Bodhi is a legit guy. He lives and breathes pickleball and his grips + accessories show it. Ryan is a dry grip guy while Carlos loves the tacky.
ProXR
ProXR makes some of the best paddles on the market. They also sponsor top pros, including Zane Navratil and Jack Munro, who frequently play and shoot content at The Lab.
Pickleball Effect
The Tungsten tape. The paddle stats database. The podcast. Braydon and co are producing many valuable and inspired products within the space. We are grateful to be alongside him in his journey.
Topnotch Management
Topnotch Management is a boutique talent agency representing top athletes in tennis and pickleball, including Tyson McGuffin, Zane Navratil, Wyatt Stone, Jaume Martinez Vich, Chris Haworth, and more.
Pickleball Getaways
Co-founded by Ben Johns and The Lab regular, Dekel Bar, Pickleball Getaways offers world-class pickleball vacations. If you're looking to have fun in the sun and learn from some of the best, look no further.
Titan Ball Machines
The Lab uses the best equipment and training tools to help our players advance their game. We proudly own and use the Titan "ONE" Ball machine because of it's custom drills and high-speed motor.
Let's Do Something Special
Private training sessions are available. Make SXSW fun for a brand. Host a closed-group corporate clinic. Bring an international team for a multi-day intensive. Team bonding for a sports team. The highest quality instruction with a bunch of laughs.