PicklePod

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ This week on the PicklePod, Nico and Zane break down the Proton controversy, rumors of unpaid players, and what the UPA crackdown could mean for the future of the sport. Then things get even crazier as they build the Mount Rushmore of Pickleball Fraud & Shadiness—from questionable companies to wild tournament promises that never happened. Plus: - A $600K amateur tournament?! 🤯 - Nico’s “Lefty Reset” weight loss challenge (and questionable strategy) - The best banned paddles of all time - And way too much discussion about Ben & Jerry’s Let us know in the comments: 👉 What’s the shadiest moment in pickleball history? 👉 Favorite banned paddle? 👉 Over/under: Nico loses 30 lbs? Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 3:15 Proton battling fraud allegations 7:13 Will Proton paddles get more expensive? 12:04 The Mt. Rushmore of Pickleball Frauds 16:04 Nico’s weight loss challenge 34:24 Zane holding a grudge with St. George 38:51 Chris Haworth claims the No.1 spot 43:02 Join the pro pickleball conversation on Discord 46:37 Tempers flared at PPA Black Rock 51:25 They need a go-to “play” 1:01:57 Zane doubles down on ALW vs Serena 1:06:60 PPA Asia Preview 1:15:50 Guess my DUPR MiLP Nationals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ This week on the PicklePod, we’re joined by one of the most outspoken and unfiltered voices in pro pickleball — Lea Jansen. From her viral Newport outburst to calling out the “Karen Rules Committee,” Lea pulls back the curtain on the chaos behind the scenes of pro pickleball. We dive deep into the controversial player council, fines, paddle tosses, and whether players should really be policing other players. But it’s not all drama… Lea also gets brutally honest about: Why screaming “COME ON” in rec play is a dead giveaway you’re an amateur - The mental battle of facing Anna Leigh Waters - What it actually feels like to play against the most dominant player in the sport - How pickleball politics are evolving (and where they’re falling short) Plus, we get into trolls, social media clapbacks, and the unwritten rules of pickleball etiquette that might need to be enforced ASAP. This episode is raw, hilarious, and packed with insight you won’t hear anywhere else. 👇 Drop a comment: Should pro pickleball be played indoors or outdoors?. Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 0:49 Lea lights up Nico Mid-Match 5:39 Where did the committee come from? 11:58 Should active players be on the committee? 15:36 All players can provide input 18:59 Only the fining committee can actually fine players 22:49 Lea calls for an open forum for player input 29:17 Who has the time? + High school superlatives 33:36 Rec play pet peeves 37:11 Pickleball court - addressing the trolls 41:13 Questions from the audience 48:00 Who is the next player to best Anna Leigh Waters? 57:40 Zane's ref controversy 1:06:42 Guess my DUPR 1:09:07 Podcast beef Shawn Wells 1:19:57 Introducing Shawn Wells 1:32:19 Why people started drinking Gatorade 1:35:32 The benefits of Taurine and creatine 1:40:08 Getting nutrients from your diet 1:43:00 Paraxanthine in Slammit Focus 1:49:19 Shawn's Slammit Story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ What happens when pickleball chaos meets global expansion? 🌎 This week on the PicklePod, we’re joined by Steve Kuhn for a deep dive into what might be the future of pickleball—and it’s happening in Asia. We cover everything from: - The INSANE wind conditions at the PPA Texas Open 🌪️ - The first-ever triple pickle in pro history (yes… 11-0, 0-11, 11-0 🤯) - Whether pickleball should go fully indoor like basketball - The explosive growth of pickleball in the Philippines, Vietnam, and beyond Steve Kuhn’s new Pickleball Champions League (PCL) and why it could change everything A wild new concept: predicting sports like a game (SportsPredict) Plus, Nico announces his Lefty Reset Challenge—a 60-day transformation to prove pickleball players are athletes 💪 This episode is equal parts chaos, insight, and big-picture thinking for where the sport is headed next. 👇 Drop a comment: Should pro pickleball be played indoors or outdoors?. Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 1:21 Extreme winds at the Texas Open 5:12 Should pickleball be an indoor sport? 12:00 The first ever singles triple pickle 18:33 Mean comments from Reddit + Nico’s weight loss challenge Steve Kuhn 25:52 Steve Kuhn returns to the PicklePod 26:40 Steve’s new project - Pickleball Champions League 32:34 Growth statistics in Asian pickleball 37:26 PCL borrowing from Futbol roots 45:53 Introducing Sports Predict 50:45 I want to emulate Chess.com 57:29 Obsessed with making the best predictions 1:00:05 Sports Predict entering pro pickleball 1:03:11 Consulting for Ramsports 1:04:23 400 million players by 2032 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ Table tennis superstar and viral content creator Adam Bobrow joins the PicklePod to talk about his surprising dive into pickleball—and what the sport can learn from the global growth of ping pong. Bobrow, one of the most recognizable personalities in table tennis, shares how he built an audience of millions, why he initially resisted pickleball, and what finally changed his mind once he stepped on the court. But first… the guys recap one of the most chaotic tournament weekends in recent memory. From Nico’s first PPA tournament in two years, to a match-ending Nasty Nelson attempt, to accusations of “no honor” on court 19, the Newport Beach event delivered peak unhinged pickleball. Meanwhile, pro drama was brewing with timeout tactics, loud grunting, and mental warfare between top singles stars like Hunter Johnson and Federico Staksrud. Plus: - The Mount Rushmore of unhinged pickleball players - The psychology behind gamesmanship in pickleball - Why millions of people play but don’t watch the pro game -What pickleball can learn from the growth of table tennis - Bobrow’s first experiences playing against pros like Anna Bright, Christian Alshon, and Ben Johns If you love pickleball stories, inside pro tour drama, and the future of the sport—this episode is a must-watch. Subscribe for weekly pickleball stories, interviews, and debates from the PicklePod. Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 2:06 Story time with Nico in Newport 10:15 The correct way to throw a paddle 12:58 Nico learns the Rob Cassidy timeout 18:05 Mt Rushmore of unhinged players 22:02 Headlines from the Newport Beach Open Adam Bobrow 30:01 Adam Bobrow joins the pod 30:34 Paddle vs Bat | Ping Pong vs Table Tennis 35:51 Bridging the gap between rec players and the pro game 41:32 There are levels to this game 43:44 Adding personality into sports viewing experience 49:21 How has your audience responded to the pickleball content? 52:16 Adam is invited to girls' night with Mari Humberg 55:45 Who is still on the dream guest list? 58:33 Zane saw vs snake shot 1:06:03 Guess my DUPR - Double Tweener 1:10:55 Zane tests his table tennis broadcast abilities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emergency pod activated. 🚨 We just got off the phone with Duc — father, manager, and mastermind behind Quang Duong (QD) — to break down the shocking APP announcement and what it really means. Is this another tour war? Did QD actually “sign” with the Association of Pickleball Players (APP)? Is the door closed with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA)? And what actually happened behind the scenes at the Masters? Duc didn’t hold back. He explains: - Why QD’s APP deal is non-exclusive - What really broke negotiations with the PPA - Why Asia is the future of pickleball (and why tours are scrambling) - The “disrespect” that changed everything - Whether QD could still play PPA events this year There’s talk of sponsors pulling out, Asia-based investors stepping in, government pressure, and a candid breakdown of how tours operate differently in the U.S. vs. Asia. If you’ve been confused by the graphics, the “signed” language, and the sudden wave of APP announcements — this episode clears it all up. Strap in. This one got real. Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com -Follow us on IG https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ The MLP draft just BROKE the internet… and we’re unpacking all of it. From Anna Bright going for over $1 million to the Dallas Flash meltdown, this Major League Pickleball offseason might be more entertaining than the actual matches. We break down the bidding wars, the strategy behind youth vs. win-now rosters, whether Jack Sock is still a “fool me three times” situation, and why MLP might desperately need a salary cap (and floor). Then things get unhinged. James Ignatowich returns to the pod to talk about: - His UPA contract termination - Building RPM from scratch - Selling 10,000 paddles in a month - Why he’s moving to China - Getting blocked by the PPA - Whether he’s ever playing pro again - And yes… the Johnson siblings rumors We also dive into: - The new post-match cheating fines system - Why more transparency could grow the game - Whether one superstar pro is worth the ROI for a paddle brand - And the wild reality of manufacturing in China - This one is chaotic, honest, and surprisingly insightful. Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 2:36 Anna Bright draws $1.23 million bid 6:24 The Flash miss out on Jorja Johnson and new salary cap ideas 11:40 More surprises from the MLP Draft 16:49 Trade targets and sharing auction prices 20:21 Zane optimistic on cheating penalties James Ignatowich 25:55 James Ignatowich joins the show 27:43 RPM spawned out of dopamine detox 34:24 Building a cult following 38:39 Banned on social media 42:36 Why James was terminated 45:01 James sells Zane on moving to China 47:00 Questions from the audience 56:35 The “Jade” paddle story 58:53 John Kew’s decision to donate 3:04 Drafting paddles that impacted pickleball history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nico the Lefty reacts to the massive moves in the 2026 Major League Pickleball Draft. Anna Bright goes for $1.23 Million, Jorja Johnson says bye-bye to big bro and joins Gary Vee and Anna Leigh Waters in Clown Town. Plus the MLP youth movement is in full effect. More Teams are taking chances on teenage players both international and domestic. There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order. Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' free e-newsletter at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com / thedinkpickleball -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: / thedi. . -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ The funniest guy in pickleball has a story you probably didn’t see coming. This week on the PicklePod, we sit down with Evan Slaughter (@fit2serve1) — creator, comedian, CrossFit athlete, and Purple Heart recipient — to unpack the journey behind the viral videos. Before the stinky dinky… before the shirtless skits… before the millions of views… there was Afghanistan. Evan opens up about: - Serving as an infantryman in Afghanistan - Surviving an IED explosion and receiving a Purple Heart - Struggling with opioid addiction after returning home - Learning pickleball in rehab - How humor helped him heal - Turning TikTok videos into a full-time career - Creator vs pro influence in the paddle world - The business side of brands like Volair Pickleball - The future of pickleball in pop culture (including Apple TV+’s upcoming pickleball movie) This episode goes way deeper than social media clips. It’s about resilience, recovery, and how pickleball can literally change a life. If you’ve ever laughed at a Fit2Serve video, this is the story behind it. There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order. Follow Evan at https://www.instagram.com/fit2serve1/ Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 The only 8.0 player in the world 3:33 When will Anna Leigh steal Big H? 5:59 The greatest motivator in pro pickleball 10:23 Women’s doubles matchup we’ve been waiting for 15:10 Is Anna Leigh bad for the game? 19:36 Evan Slaughter joins the podcast 22:04 Purple Heart heroics 32:32 He discovered pickleball in rehab 38:37 Who moves more paddles, pros or creators? 46:10 Evan should be the lead in The Dink movie 56:17 Pickleball marathon and the 11 beer challenge 1:03:37 Evan’s new signature shot 1:09:03 Is celebrating after the dome shot bad etiquette? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ The PicklePod is back on The Dink Pickleball YouTube channel with one of our most wide-ranging episodes yet. This week we cover: MLP Trade Deadline Fallout Ana Bright. Georgia Johnson. Jack Sock. Major names dropped ahead of the deadline. We break down which teams won, which teams fumbled the bag, and whether Major League Pickleball just reshaped the power structure for 2026. Pickleball and the Olympics Are we overhyping the Olympic dream? Would 2032 in Australia change everything for the sport — or is the pro tour already the real prize? We debate what Olympic inclusion would actually mean for player development and global growth. Does Pickleball Need an All-Star Weekend? If the NBA can reinvent its format, why can’t we? From Ernie contests to reset challenges and paddle toss competitions, we design what a true pickleball skills showcase could look like. Grayson Goldin Update We react to the news of Grayson’s stroke, discuss player health coverage in pro pickleball, and send our support as he works toward a full recovery. The Dink Awards Finale We wrap up the 2025 Dink Awards with: - Best Facilities across the country - Best International Tournament - Paddle Reviewer of the Year - Paddle of the Year And yes, things get a little spicy during the paddle reviewer segment. We also sit down with APP Chief Marketing Officer Tom Webb for a direct conversation about the future of the APP, the evolving pro landscape, and where the sport is headed long term. Drop your thoughts in the comments: What would you include in a pickleball All-Star competition? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with the doubles partner who still doesn’t understand pro pickleball. 120/Life is a once-a-day functional drink made with ingredients that help support healthy blood pressure. Listeners get 20% off their entire order with code DINK at https://www.120life.com/ Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 3:12 The Palm Beach Royals won the trade deadline 5:18 Anna Bright and Jorja Johnson dropped from MLP team 14:59 Do the Olympics matter? 19:41 Pickleball is like curling for the summer games 22:52 All-Star Game and skills competition for pickleball 29:03 Thoughts and prayers to Grayson Goldin 32:44 The 120Life Dink Awards conclusion 41:24 Paddle Reviewer and Paddle of the Year 48:59 Tom Webb joins the PicklePod 50:15 Sofia Sewing under the Will Howells contract 56:42 Do you need a big name to attract the audience? 1:00:44 What will the APP look like in 2030? 1:04:10 Who will be the winner in 10 years? 1:11:00 Rapid-fire questions from the listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ In this episode of the Picklepod, we’re joined by Tanner Tomasi, calling in from India at 4:30 PM while Zane grinds at 6 a.m. and Nico barely keeps his eyes open at 3 a.m. 🌍☕ Tanner breaks down his experience competing in the World Pickleball League, including the unique format, 18 straight days of matches, and what it was like playing against elite international talent — plus Eric Lang’s final pro tournament ever. From there, the conversation takes a sharp turn into one of our hottest debates yet: Is doubles pickleball closer to professional gaming than tennis? We dive into reaction time, pattern recognition, neuroplasticity, and why former gamers may actually have an edge at the highest level of the sport. Tanner also opens up about his journey from full-time Fortnite streamer to pro pickleball player and content creator, sharing hard-earned lessons on social media growth, consistency, YouTube strategy, and why the packaging of content matters more than most people realize. Finally, we roll into the Dink Awards, spotlighting the most influential voices, best on-air personalities, and top pickleball podcasts — with plenty of opinions, debates, and classic Picklepod chaos along the way. This one hits pro pickleball, content creation, gaming crossover, and the future of the sport — don’t miss it. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Follow Tanner https://www.instagram.com/tanner.pickleball/ Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Tanner Calls In From India: World Pickleball League Explained 3:04 Does Pickleball Need a Mercy Rule? (7–0 Skunk Debate) 8:00 Tanner’s Background: From Fortnite Streaming to Pickleball 17:27 Discovering a niche in pickleball content 23:30 Who will be the Mr. Beast of pickleball? 27:01 The 120Life Dink Awards Most Influential Voice 34:53 Best On-air Personality and who you want to see in the booth 41:55 Podcast of the Year and the co-host tournament challenge 49:59 Pickleball YouTuber of the Year Award and Best Instructor 53:27 Content Creator of the Year completes the triple crown 58:39 The Viral Moment of the Year Award 1:05:31 Pickleball Journalist of the Year Award 1:07:02 Does pickleball have its Super Bowl event? 1:14:38 Start every match with a Nasty Nelson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ On this episode of the PicklePod, Nico and Zane are joined by Anna Bright for a wide-ranging (and slightly chaotic) conversation that dives into hot takes, hot debates, and the latest from the pro pickleball world. Anna explains why she believes there’s a legitimate argument that Gabe Tardio might be the best men’s doubles player right now, even in a world where Ben Johns still reigns supreme. The crew debates whether the right-side player is becoming more important than the left, breaks down ideal pairings to challenge Ben & Gabe, and power-ranks potential teams heading into the season. They also recap the first wave of the Dink Awards, including Player of the Year, Breakout Player, Fan Favorite, and more — plus Anna reacts to being nominated in seven categories and winning Fan Favorite Player. On the content side, Anna opens up about the growth of her newsletter and social presence, what motivated her to start creating more off-court content, and how she balances being a pro athlete with being a content creator. Naturally, things spiral into typing-speed competitions, Reddit beef, and questionable hypotheticals. Topics include: • Is Gabe Tardio the best men’s doubles player in the world? • Right-side vs left-side importance in modern pickleball • Best teams to challenge Ben Johns & Gabe Tardio • Dink Awards winners and surprises • Anna Bright’s rise as a content creator • Fan favorite debates, viral moments, and more Like, subscribe, and drop your hottest takes in the comments — especially if you disagree with Anna. 😅 Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Blue Cannatine from Troscriptions is designed to support the mental and physical flow state that pickleball players chase: focused, responsive, smooth, and adaptable — without jitters, crashes, or chaos. Try it today at https://troscriptions.com/dink Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 2:11 Gabe Tardio GOAT debate 5:37 A diabolical typo 8:18 The right side player defines a partnership 13:56 Hypothetical team to beat the best 18:47 120Life Dink Awards winners 25:32 Anna is leaning into the content game 36:18 Men's and Women's Player of the Year 38:11 The gap between #2 and the rest of the field 42:55 Men's and Women's Breakout Player of the Year 47:16 Upset of the Year - Anti-ball knower allegations 49:57 Fan favorite and Best On-court Personality 56:56 Zane snubbed on Best Dressed Player of the Year 1:00:30 MLP Preseason is underway 1:04:40 Zane traded and will Anna get dropped? 1:11:03 Mean tweets from AB 1:17:16 Pickleball Court - No games after clinics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ Chaos in Minnesota, a brand-new singles court experiment, a potential “pickleball competitor” sport, and one of the wildest medical timeout moments we’ve seen on tour… this episode has it all. Zane and Nico break down everything that went down at the PPA Minnesota Challenger, including huge upsets, the rise of 14-year-old phenom Cam Chaffin, and why the new narrowed singles court could fundamentally change the way singles pickleball is played. They also debate whether shrinking the court is the right solution, what the PPA is really trying to accomplish with singles, and if we’re headed toward a future with fewer (or no) triple crowns. Plus, the guys react to the viral medical timeout involving Andre and Gabe, discuss the unwritten rules of being a good pickleball partner, unpack the buzz around the new sport “Tipti,” and hit Guess My Duper, Pickleball Court, and more. If you like hot takes, rule debates, and behind-the-scenes pro tour stories, you’re in the right place. 👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments — should pickleball shrink the singles court? Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Blue Cannatine from Troscriptions is designed to support the mental and physical flow state that pickleball players chase: focused, responsive, smooth, and adaptable — without jitters, crashes, or chaos. Try it today at https://troscriptions.com/dink Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 4:02 The next ‘chubby’ singles court 10:35 A different ball for singles 16:10 Typti is gaining momentum 21:15 Everybody was sick in Minnesota 23:47 Pickleball Court - Abusing the medical timeout 28:04 Unwritten rules for good partners 33:19 Using Pickleball Survivor theory to weed out the cheaters 40:22 14yo Camden Chaffin’s breakout weekend 46:06 Alshon & Black win and break up 57:04 Arnold’s paddle throw lands in the crowd 1:05:54 Blind ranking iconic crashouts 1:09:30 Mean comments and Guess My DUPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ This week on The PicklePod, we’re joined by pro pickleball player Blaine Hovenier for a wide-ranging episode packed with tour stories, hot takes, and behind-the-scenes chaos from the Masters. Zane and Nico break down everything that went down at the Masters—from heated on-court moments and crowd chirping, to new paddle deals shaking up the pro scene. Blaine shares stories from competing at the highest level, what it’s like adjusting to new partnerships, and why high-variance pickleball might be the only way to challenge the top teams. The crew also dives deep into Major League Pickleball’s new format, including substitutions, expanded playoffs, and whether singles specialists are about to change the Dreambreaker forever. Plus, Nico relives the painful moment he realized he missed an email that could’ve made him an MLP GM. Other topics include: - New paddle deals and which switches actually mattered - Whether Ben Johns wins another singles gold - Jack Sock’s ceiling in pro pickleball - Anna Leigh Waters’ dominance (and who could possibly stop her) - The lob serve debate 🔥 - Minnesota weather, rental car danger, and elite sideline vibes It’s part pickleball analysis, part story time, and fully unfiltered. Like, subscribe, and welcome to PicklePod 2.0. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Nico’s weather report 5:13 MLP’s new rule rollout 10:59 Tournaments are back in MLP 17:23 Blaine inks deal with Six Zero 19:35 New paddles debuted at Masters 21:41 Early round action for team Blaine/Zane 26:46 The high percentage strategy against Ben 33:24 Jack Sock almost broke Nico 38:18 ALW’s 40 triple crown 42:55 Is the lob serve here to stay? 46:10 Pros vs the weather in Minnesota 58:38 Pickleball court bodybag edition 1:08:29 The comments section is lit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ On this episode of The PicklePod, we break down the biggest story in the sport right now: Anna Leigh Waters signing with Nike—why it’s bigger than any paddle deal, what it means for the PPA, and how it could completely reshape pickleball’s place in pop culture. Is she officially the face of the sport? And who’s actually happier about the deal than Anna Leigh herself? Plus, Nico returns for episode two and wastes zero time making enemies. We dive into bold 2026 over/under predictions, including: - Will Ben Johns ever win another singles gold? - How many matches will Anna Leigh actually lose this year? - Are contract terminations finally slowing down? - Can Jack Sock (or any former tennis star) win a PPA title? We also react to YouTube and Twitter comments roasting the show, debate pickleball media beefs, preview the Masters, blind-rank the best tournaments in the world, and somehow end up talking about fist fights, venison sticks, and why pickleball Twitter might be the worst place on the internet. As always, it’s pickleball analysis you won’t hear anywhere else—equal parts hot takes, insider perspective, and chaos. 👇 Drop your takes in the comments 👍 Like & subscribe for weekly pickleball chaos Like, subscribe, and welcome to PicklePod 2.0. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 3:12 Vote for Viral Moment of the Year 6:27 Anna Leigh Waters signs with Franklin/Nike 9:29 Nico faces his critics 16:43 Anna Bright mixed doubles partner count 21:14 Ben Johns' last singles gold 23:31 Termination count in 2026 29:11 Tennis players can’t close the gap 32:50 Will ALW lose at all this year 41:50 Gino the Righty claps back 44:35 Blind ranking battle 53:51 Rumors surrounding APP 1:00:29 Pickleball court case #2 1:09:44 Zane digs for kind comments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the first PicklePod episode of 2026 — and we’re kicking off the new year with a full reboot presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ This episode marks the debut of PicklePod 2.0, featuring a refreshed format, new segments, and a new voice behind the mic as Nico the Lefty officially joins the show. Thomas Shields is back, Zane Navratil is firing off takes, and things get unhinged fast. 🔥 What’s in this episode: - Guess My DUPR returns as we break down Nico the Lefty’s game (lazy footwork, elite hands, and all) - The entire pickleball world reacts to Anna Leigh Waters’ paddle situation — Franklin, JOOLA, PaddleTek, or something bigger? - Is this pickleball’s first-ever eight-figure paddle deal? - Who actually moves paddles in 2026: pros, reviewers, or creators? - Major paddle movement news: Dekel Barr, Gabe Tardio, international brands entering the space, and what it means for pros - Why some paddle companies fear reviewers more than losing top players - A full 2025 Pickleball Year in Review — who really won the year? - Has pro pickleball officially matured, or are breakout stars still coming? Plus: new segments, new beef, sponsor reads that somehow turn into hot takes, and plenty of PicklePod nonsense you’ve come to expect. 👇 Drop a comment and tell us: - Who actually moves paddles in pickleball? - Did MLP or UPA win 2025? - Is Nico really a 5.0… or nah? Like, subscribe, and welcome to PicklePod 2.0. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Introducing Nico the Lefty 4:05 Guess my DUPR returns 11:06 Nico's origin story 16:15 The Anna Leigh Waters paddle sweepstakes 29:38 More paddle signings to start the year 42:39 Who won 2025? 50:36 Pickleball reaching maturity in pro competition 58:44 Pickleball Court - Request Denied 1:07:16 What are you looking forward to in 2026? 1:13:13 Go vote in the Dink Awards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The PicklePod closes out the year with a wide-ranging look at the stories that will shape pro pickleball in 2026. This episode breaks down what actually mattered at PPA Daytona, why the Jorja Johnson–Anna Lee Waters discourse has gone off the rails, and how recency bias continues to distort conversations around Anna Bright. We also look at emerging singles talent, including former tennis players making legitimate career moves into pickleball—and what that means for the competitive landscape next season. - On the business and governance side, we unpack: - The latest UPA contract fallout involving Ignatovich, Fu, and Glozman - Why an appeal likely isn’t the real endgame - The motivations behind the “You Can’t Trust a Fake” counterfeit paddle campaign - The official ProXR–PaddleTek merger and what it signals for paddle innovation and pricing You’ll also hear updates on: - DUPR’s new expected score system - The full 2025 Major League Pickleball schedule, including Junior MLP and Disney World - Thomas recovering his infamous Tesla-Selkirk paddle - Early thoughts on nominations for the 2025 Dink Awards There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 2:23 PPA Daytona Recap 7:09 New beef between Jorja and Jessie? 9:36 Who is the better fit to partner with ALW? 15:53 The Anna Bright vs Thomas match 18:05 DUPR now shows predicted match score 19:49 Can’t trust a fake campaign 23:24 ProXR and PaddleTek merger 25:06 MLP is headed to Disney World 28:12 Ignatowich & Co appeal termination 31:11 Zane makes his Dink Awards nominations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the Picklepod is absolute chaos—in the best way possible. We break down the UPA contract terminations involving James Ignatowich, Vivian Glozman, Ryan Fu, and Paris Todd, and debate whether the league is enforcing rules fairly or simply protecting exclusivity at all costs. Is this about contracts… or relationships? From there, we hit a packed slate of pickleball news: The Tesla pickleball paddle that sold out instantly and is already reselling for up to $1,000 (and may or may not be lost at a restaurant 🤯) MLP & OWL AI partnering to solve line calls—will AI actually work in pickleball? Nick Kyrgios joining Stack Athletics and what that means for pickleball’s mainstream future DUPR & USA Pickleball officially joining forces and what it means for ratings Inside stories from MiLP Nationals, including wild team promos, kid ATPs, and content gold Results and storylines from the APP Championships and PPA Challenger Raleigh A preview of the Daytona Beach Open, including new partnerships and why it’s must-watch We also dive into the Dink Awards, why fan voting matters more than ever, and who might be the most influential voice in pickleball right now. And yes… the episode ends with a frantic real-time hunt for a missing Tesla paddle. This one has everything. 👇 Drop a comment with your take on the UPA situation and whether you’d actually play with the Tesla paddle or keep it in the box. There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Reach out to Alex at [email protected] #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 3:09 UPA terminates three pro contracts 10:10 What does this say about ‘Big Pickle’? 20:27 Thomas vs Anna Bright at Courted Miami 24:35 Nominate your favorites for the 2026 Dink Awards 30:06 UPA to add AI line calling solution 35:25 Nick Kyrgios + Jack Sock, Stack Athletics 37:54 DUPR knocks out competition for USAP + APP 39:32 The Dink MiLP National Championships 45:07 APP Championships finish the year 48:44 New names take gold at PPA Challenger Raleigh 54:23 ALW + Jorja to team up in Daytona 56:16 Tesla paddles sell out and go missing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Zane is joined by The Dink’s own Alex Weaver for a deep-dive into one of the wildest and fastest-growing problems in pickleball: counterfeit paddles flooding the market. You’ve seen them on T-Mu, Facebook Marketplace, maybe even at your local rec courts… but the scale of the problem is WAY bigger than most players realize. Alex breaks down: - How knockoff brands are copying top paddles within weeks of release - Why major companies are fighting regulatory “whack-a-mole” to get fakes removed - How players are getting tricked by manipulated Google listings and fake reviews - The real impact on innovation, quality, and the future of the sport - What USAP and UPAA are (finally) preparing to do about it - Why $30 “bargain paddles” often cost you more in the long run Whether you’re shopping for a holiday gift, worried about getting duped, or just fascinated by the business side of the game, this is one of our most informative deep dives yet. 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world. There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Reach out to Alex at [email protected] #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 3:35 The counterfeit paddle epidemic 9:15 How can you spot a knockoff? 12:47 Does this happen in other sports? 19:04 It’s a big problem for the brands 23:11 The governing bodies’ role 26:35 It’s harder to stop players who want knockoffs 27:55 The ‘seal’ is printed on illegal paddles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the PicklePod, Zane and Tice dive into one of the wildest slates of global pickleball we’ve had in a while — even if half of it was nearly impossible to find online. We break down tournaments in Vietnam, Australia, and China, plus look ahead to the biggest December events in the pickleball world. From the mystery surrounding DJOY Vietnam, to Bondi’s underdog run at MLP Australia, to new partnerships forming for Hangzhou, we're covering everything the pickleball diehards want to know. And yes… we attempt the impossible: building the worst pickleball player in the top 20. We also talk Dink Awards, Minor League Nationals, Juniors vs. the Breakers, the Pickleball Marathon world record attempt, APP Tour Championships, Daytona chaos, and the freshest international storylines in the sport. Topics include: • D-JOY Vietnam recap • MLP Australia finals + Bondi’s run • APP's new Global Pickleball Alliance + rankings • December pickleball schedule: Minor League Nationals, Dink Awards, Hangzhou Open, APP Championships, PPA Daytona • Junior phenoms changing the game • Building the worst top-20 pro (fan-suggested segment!) 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world. There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12 pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Discover plant-based wellness support from Trulieve https://www.trulieve.com/?utm_medium=... Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 2:47 D-Joy Pickleball Event in Vietnam 8:36 The Global Pickleball Alliance 12:24 MLP Australia season finale with Purple Jesus 14:49 The Dink Awards Preview 16:18 The Dink MiLP Nationals Week 27:09 International events in December 31:48 Courted Miami at Sip N Pickle brings the vibes 32:52 APP Championships + PPA Datytona 35:10 Build Your Worst Pickleball Player Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the PicklePod, Zane and Tice break down one of the wildest weekends of pickleball we’ve seen all year. The Lakeland Open delivered everything—controversial calls, insane comebacks, breakout stars, near meltdowns, and another dominant run from the tour’s heavy hitters. We kick things off with Part 2 of last week’s viral Create-a-Player Draft, where Zane and Tice build the ultimate women’s pickleball player. 11 categories. No duplicate picks. Maximum trash talk. The community demanded a rematch…and Tice wants revenge. From there, the guys get into all the biggest stories: Lakeland Open Chaos – The now-infamous Roscoe/Hunter match point controversy – Luca Mack’s eye-opening semifinal run – Noe's first PPA medal – The 17-point swing that shocked the men’s doubles bracket Nationals Recap – Jill Braverman's viral line call – Why a $225K event ran with no replays – PK’s first singles title • Global Pickleball Politics – The WPF, GPF, UWPF alphabet soup explained – What a potential merger means for the Olympics – Why governing bodies matter more than people realize Lakers Pickleball Tournament – Yes… the Lakers ran their own pickleball event – Luka Dončić credits pickleball for slimming down – Why NBA players might be the worst body type for dinking • Debate of the Week: If Ben and Anna Leigh were forced to split up in 2026… who wins more mixed titles? Zane and Tice go deep on the chessboard of future partnerships. 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world. There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12 pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Discover plant-based wellness support from Trulieve https://www.trulieve.com/?utm_medium=... Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 1:56 Build a Women’s Player 13:39 Quick hits Carmel-by-the-sea + International merger 19:58 Jilly B’s controversial call 22:23 Nationals winners and Zane’s son 27:25 PPA Lakeland recap 34:13 Hunter vs Roscoe and the controversial net cord 46:33 Ben vs ALW hypothetical split 53:03 Women’s doubles and men’s match of the weekend 57:50 Luka and the Lakers host a pickleball tournament Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the PicklePod, we switch things up — no PPA or MLP action to recap, but a massive week of storylines, debates, and one of our favorite interviews of the year. Zane and Tice debut a brand-new segment: Build-A-Player — where each builds the “perfect” pro pickleball player using only 11 unique skills… but they can’t use the same player twice. The results? Chaos, controversy, and an absolutely stacked conversation that you’ll want to vote on in the comments. We also break down: 🔥 PPA Melbourne (rain delays, surprises, and emerging stars) 🔥 Which partnerships are legit and which are temporary 🔥 Why the tournament format changes actually matter 🔥 The Lakeland draws — including matchups that could get spicy 🔥 How agents are now influencing pro partnerships (yes… really) Then we’re joined by Kyle Yates, one of the OG goats of pickleball. Kyle breaks down: 🇺🇸 Team USA’s run at the Pickleball World Cup 🏆 Why the international scene is exploding 🥁 How Venezuela brought an actual marching band 🎽 The jersey swaps, the atmosphere, and the wildest crowds he’s ever seen 🎾 The origin story of “The Kyle Shot” 👀 Whether pickleball is getting closer to an Olympic future 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world. There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12 pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Discover plant-based wellness support from Trulieve https://www.trulieve.com/?utm_medium=... Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 - Intro 05:20 - PPA Melbourne recap: delays, chaos & standout performances 10:48 - PPA Lakeland preview: Why this “open” feels like a Slam 15:04 - Singles shake-up: Fed back to #1, Ben seeded #8, chaos in draws 20:40 - Women’s singles danger zone: Seone Mendez & Salome in ALW’s path 26:01 - Mixed doubles storylines: Rachel & Andre reunited, matchup drama 31:30 - Doubles partnership chaos: agents, contracts & 2026 shakeups 36:50 — Women’s doubles preview: Tyra/Paris, Jackie/Jade & chaos in the quarters 42:30 — The “Build the Perfect Player” draft begins (serve, drives, drops) 58:40 — Introducing Dr. Scott (Troscriptions): Blue Cannatine for focus & energy 1:03:55 — Nicotine’s misunderstood role: low-dose benefits for athletes Improved recall, relaxation, focus, and why delivery method matters. 1:09:20 — Methylene blue explained: endurance, energy & mitochondrial function 1:11:10– Kyle Yates Joins the Show 1:13:20 – Inside the Pickleball World Cup: Atmosphere, Format & Team USA’s Win 1:21:45 A preview for Olympic Pickleball 1:25:40 Kyle's Hall of Fame career and Kyle shot origins 1:33:39 Jersey swaps with other countries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2025 World Pickleball Championships had everything — drama, emotion, controversy, and the best pickleball of the year. 🏆 In this episode, Zane and Tice break down the wildest moments from Worlds in Dallas — from insane out calls and rule drama to Anna Leigh Waters’ untouchable dominance. Then, Federico Staksrud joins the pod fresh off his emotional semifinal win to talk about: 🔥 The story behind the tears in his viral post-match interview 🎾 Why the new ball changed everything — and how he adjusted 💪 The strategy shift that unlocked wins with Hayden Patriquin 🏌️‍♂️ Which pros are secretly great (and terrible) at golf 💭 What it really takes to go from overlooked grinder to world-class pro This one has everything — chaos, comedy, and raw emotion from one of the best in the game. 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12 pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Discover plant-based wellness support from Trulieve https://www.trulieve.com/?utm_medium=... Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Contact Zane to work at ProXR here: https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/pages/contact #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 – Worlds recap: celebrity matches, wild calls, and chaos 08:00 – The worst line call of the year 12:00 – Line call fixes are finally coming 13:30 – Anna Leigh Waters “Big Pickle” conspiracy 17:00 – Anna Leigh’s dominance by the numbers 20:00 – Emotional highs & lows of Worlds 26:00 – Federico Staksrud joins the pod 28:00 – Switching brands, balls & rebuilding confidence 34:00 – Why power paddles changed the game 37:00 – Playing with Hayden Patriquin & finding chemistry 44:00 – How to beat Ben Johns & Gabe Tardio 52:00 – The viral tears moment explained 55:00 – Federico’s message to aspiring players 59:00 – Pickleball’s best & worst golfers revealed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zane and Tice break down everything that went down at the MLP Cup in Dallas — from player absences and team drama to the rise of the Junior All-Stars. The guys debate what went wrong with the event format, the Nashville Chefs controversy, and how MLP can fix it moving forward.Then, they preview the biggest pickleball tournament of the year — Worlds. Who’s hot, who’s slipping, and who’s about to make a deep run? Zane and Tice give their bold predictions, highlight the matchups to watch, and talk about the massive 3,000-point stakes.They also weigh in on the upcoming Pickleball Slam “Battle of the Sexes,” share behind-the-scenes stories from Dallas, and answer fan questions on delaminated paddles, distraction rules, and the best podcasts in the game. 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12 pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Discover plant-based wellness support from Trulieve https://www.trulieve.com/?utm_medium=... Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Contact Zane to work at ProXR here: https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/pages/contact #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 MLP Cup recap — missing stars and strange formats 8:00 Nashville Chefs’ absence explained 10:30 Junior All-Stars make history 14:00 Fixing the MLP Cup format 19:00 World's preview + top seeds 33:00 Pickleball Slam hot take 38:00 World's predictions for doubles and singles 42:00 Fan Q&A: paddles, contracts, and pickleball beefs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The distraction rule strikes again 😤 Zane and T-Dog (Eric Tice) break down another chaotic call from Vegas, analyze the newest mixed partnerships before Worlds, and debate the worst rule in pickleball. They cover everything from Genie Bouchard’s breakout run and Jack Sock’s resurgence to the young guns taking over — including 16-year-old Andre Mercado, who joins the show after his breakout performance in Las Vegas. Andre talks about balancing high school with pro pickleball, training routines, mindset, and what it takes to beat the vets. Later, Zane answers fan Q&As on everything from Ben Johns’ hand speed to Anna Leigh Waters’ dominance. 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world. Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12 pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Discover plant-based wellness support from Trulieve https://www.trulieve.com/?utm_medium=... Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Contact Zane to work at ProXR here: https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/pages/contact #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 New partnerships ahead of Worlds 6:30 The 3,000-point Worlds debate 8:00 UPA swaps Cal-She for Polymarket 10:45 Teen takeover: Tama & Andre shock the pros 13:30 Genie Bouchard’s best PPA run yet 15:00 Jack Sock’s surge and Fed’s escape 17:10 Matt Wright turns back the clock 19:00 The “best men’s final ever”? 22:00 The real best mixed match nobody saw 24:00 Annalee Waters’ insane winning streak 29:20 Interview — Andre Mercado joins the pod 31:00 Training four hours a day at 16 33:00 How he and Tama upset the vets 35:00 Learning patience, deception & strategy 38:00 Balancing school, gym, and pro pickleball 41:00 What’s next for the next generation 44:00 Zane’s fan Q&A — Ben’s hands, ALW’s duper, Worlds predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zane and Tice break down the most talked-about event in pro pickleball — the Lifetime Open, the first-ever singles-only tournament with a $250,000 prize pool. So why didn’t top pros like Ben and Anna Leigh show up? The guys dive deep into what went wrong, what Lifetime nailed, and how the event could bounce back next year. They also cover: 💰 The prize money dilemma and why pros skipped the biggest purse in pickleball history 🎾 Whether anyone can compete with the UPA 🔥 Donald Young’s wild run and Chris Haworth’s rise to #1 form 🎤 Q&A on paddle tech, foam paddles, and the future of line calls 🐶 Pickle for Pups + Zane’s new project, Transition Zone Pickleball Plus, Tyce previews the Las Vegas Open and Worlds — and the boys debate if singles pickleball is turning into “mini tennis.” 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world. Momentous is the gold standard in creatine, save 35% on your order with code THEDINK at http://livemomentous.com Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12 pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Contact Zane to work at ProXR here: https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/pages/contact #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 00:00 – Why Didn’t Pros Show Up? 05:45 – Can Anyone Compete with UPA? – Why it’s nearly impossible to challenge the pro pickleball machine. 08:20 – The Prize Money Problem top-heavy payouts scared off the middle of the pack 10:00 – 3-Out-of-5 Match Format Debate 14:30 – Donald Young’s Upset Run + Chris Haworth Is On Fire 20:30 – Is Singles Becoming Mini Tennis? 24:30 – PPA Vegas Preview Dylan Frazier + JW Johnson reunite 33:00 – Listener Q and A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After just a month on the PPA Tour, Chris Haworth has already made a massive statement — winning gold in Virginia Beach and climbing past Ben Johns in the singles rankings 👀 Chris joins Zane Navratil to talk about: 🏆 His switch from the APP to the PPA 📉 What caused his APP slump and how he bounced back 🔥 Why men’s singles is more exciting than ever 🎾 Hitting with Carlos Alcaraz at a Babolat shoot 💰 Thoughts on the new prize-money model and how one win can change your year 🧠 Advice for up-and-comers trying to break through in pro pickleball Plus, the guys break down: • The Virginia Beach Open results • Jack Sock’s resurgence and near-upset of Connor Garnett • Colin Johns’ surprise move to Vietnam • And how Anna Leigh Waters just had maybe the most dominant weekend in pickleball history 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world. Head to GoodChop.com today and use code DINK130 for $130 off your first box 👉 https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101298884-17151417 Momentous is the gold standard in creatine, save 35% on your order with code THEDINK at http://livemomentous.com Follow Chris at: https://www.instagram.com/chrishaworth.pb/ Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Contact Zane to work at ProXR here: https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/pages/contact #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 00:00 – Intro: Virginia Beach recap + Chris Haworth joins the pod 05:00 – Chris on winning gold in Virginia Beach and his PPA breakthrough 06:10 – Leaving the APP Tour after a slump and betting on himself 07:30 – Why he made the switch to the PPA and how rankings work 09:40 – From 57th seed to top 10 — passing Ben Johns in singles 11:00 – The paddle certification drama and what Chris is hitting with now 13:30 – Hitting with Carlos Alcaraz at a Babolat shoot 16:10 – Advice for players trying to break into pro pickleball 18:45 – Thoughts on the PPA’s prize money model and “betting on yourself” 21:10 – Lifetime Open preview: $50k prize pool + 3 of 5 set format 23:50 – How the new “baseline-heavy” singles meta is changing the game 27:00 – What to expect at Lifetime and who’s playing 30:30 – Why Jack Sock’s locked-in mindset could make him dangerous 34:10 – Anna Leigh Waters’ most dominant weekend ever + Ben & ALW back to owning pickleball 41:30 – Colin Johns moves to Vietnam + UPA Asia expansion 46:30 – APP Tour recap: rising names to watch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zane is back from Asia with wild stories, record-breaking crowds, and gold medals galore. This week on the PicklePod, he sits down with Eric Oncins, who just took back-to-back golds in Malaysia and Vietnam with Tyson McGuffin. They relive the 8,000-fan crowd, the chaos of Southeast Asia, and Eric’s unbelievable journey from Brazilian tennis player to pro pickleball star. The guys break down international play, the rise of Asian talent, and that controversial call that rocked the finals. T-Dog rejoins Zane later to unpack what Asia means for pickleball’s future — from China’s booming scene to Vietnam’s meteoric rise — and how international play might reshape the sport. 📍 Watch the full episode for: - Wild paddle throws and hot pot adventures 🍲 - The story behind Eric’s MLP breakout - Why 8,000 fans were screaming mid-point - How Asia is changing pickleball forever 🌏 👉 Subscribe for more pro insights, chaos, and comedy every week. Head to GoodChop.com today and use code DINK130 for $130 off your first box 👉 https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101298884-17151417 Momentous is the gold standard in creatine, save 35% on your order with code THEDINK at http://livemomentous.com #Pickleball #vietnam #malaysia Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 – Intro 3:15 – How Eric ended up in Asia (and landed business class seats) 6:10 – Pickleball’s rockstar status overseas – “Ben Johns is Justin Bieber” 7:45 – Surviving Asian street food (and avoiding food poisoning) 9:00 – The rise of international players and cat-and-mouse pickleball 10:45 – Playing in front of 8,000 fans – pure chaos and adrenaline 13:00 – Eric’s backstory: From Brazil tennis to pickleball in Florida 18:20 – Simone Jardim’s mentorship and living at her training house 24:45 – Money ball meltdown: how Eric met Johnny Goldberg 27:30 – Getting drafted, grinding APPs, and his 28-tournament season 30:10 – Behind-the-scenes of Malaysia and Vietnam victories 33:00 – Zane & T-Dog talk Asia’s talent boom and China’s growth 42:30 – The Ben Johns upset, “the hook,” and paddle controversies 55:00 – Why Asia might be pickleball’s next big frontier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the PicklePod, we’re joined by rising star Kate Fahey, fresh off her singles win over Jeannie Bouchard at the Sacramento Wood Paddle Open. Kate opens up about competing with vintage paddles, teaming with Dylan Frazier for silver in mixed, and what it’s really like balancing pro pickleball with planning her wedding (happening THIS week!). We also dive into: - Iconic celebrations (Kate’s pool dive 🏊‍♀️) - Paddle drama and PPA’s last-minute crackdown - Why screaming on court gets love and hate - Kate’s advice for staying authentic despite online critics - Predictions for her future and pickleball’s next big moves Plus, Zane recaps the wild action from the PPA Kuala Lumpur Open, including upsets, international standouts, and Tyson McGuffin & Eric Oncins’ electric doubles win. Head to GoodChop.com today and use code DINK130 for $130 off your first box 👉 https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101298884-17151417 Big thank you to our sponsor, Momentous. Momentous is the gold standard in creatine, save 35% on your order with code THEDINK at http://livemomentous.com Don’t miss this one—Kate brings the fire 🔥 on and off the court. 👉 Subscribe for weekly pickleball insights, pro interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories. #Pickleball #PicklePod #KateFahey #PPA Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 00:00 – Intro from Vietnam 03:00 – First impressions playing with wood paddles 05:20 – How wood paddles changed strategy & style of play 09:07 – Who benefited vs. struggled with the wood paddle 10:45 – Paddle drama: souped-up paddles banned 12:05 – Should wood paddle events stay as exhibitions? 15:40 – Balancing pickleball tournaments with wedding week 18:12 – Mini-moon plans & pickleball friends at the wedding 21:00 – Facing Genie Bouchard in the singles final 24:11 – Mixed doubles finals vs. the Johnsons 25:52 – The “screaming debate” and sports psychology 29:50 – Generational divide on emotion in pickleball 35:22 – PPA Malaysia recap & early upsets 47:01 – Tyson & Eric upset Ben & Christian in epic final Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The PicklePod is back, and this week we’ve got a jam-packed episode. James Ignatowich (aka Iggy) stops by to reveal how he went from pro pickleball player to paddle engineer with the launch of his new company, RPM. He breaks down the grind of designing paddles, the wild stories behind his prototypes, and what sets RPM apart from the competition. Meanwhile, Zane and T-Dog dive into one of the craziest weeks in pickleball yet: - PaddleGate 2025 – why 15 of 16 pros used different paddles on Championship Sunday. - PPA Cincinnati Slam – shocking results as the Kawamoto twins take down Anna Bright & Anna Leigh Waters. - Cheating drama – Tyson McGuffin vs. Mo Alhouni and the calls that shook the tour. - Sports betting in pickleball – the PPA partners with Kalshi to make wagering on pickleball legal in the U.S. Plus: streakers, celebrity owners, and the latest MLP team shakeups. This episode has it all—gear talk, controversy, and the future of the sport. 👉 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Will RPM shake up the paddle market? And do you think PaddleGate changes the game for good? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of the PicklePod. Big thank you to our sponsor, Momentous. Momentous is the gold standard in creatine, save 35% on your order with code THEDINK at http://livemomentous.com #PicklePod #Pickleball Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 – Welcome back + PaddleGate 2025 explained 3:38 – James “Iggy” Ignatowich launches RPM Paddles 5:00 – The origin of the RPM Yeti (AI gone wild) 7:52 – Why RPM isn’t UPAA-approved yet 13:32 – Iggy’s deep dive into paddle engineering 14:37 – RPM paddles selling out worldwide 20:41 – Biggest challenges of starting a paddle brand 24:10 – RPM launch promo: free Cameo with purchase 26:05 – PPA partners with Kalshi for sports betting 34:45 – PaddleGate chaos in Cincinnati 37:53 – Ben Johns singles withdrawal controversy 41:58 – Fed vs. Alex Crum rivalry 43:46 – Tyson McGuffin vs. Mo Alhouni cheating drama 50:44 – Liz Trulock pushes Anna Leigh Waters in singles 52:22 – Kawamoto twins upset Bright & Waters 54:00 – Hunter Johnson vs. Christian Alshon + streaker incident 57:41 – Andre & Anna Bright rise as a mixed team 1:01:08 – The “Big Four” in men’s doubles 1:03:39 – Kawamotos’ first-ever PPA gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Geesbreght is part of the investment group that purchased the majority stake in MLP's LA Mad Drops. Alex opens up about how pickleball became a family passion, what inspired him to buy into MLP, and how his ownership group plans to grow the game. We dive into: 🏓 The story behind Alex’s investment in pickleball and the Mad Drops 💰 Team valuations, ownership responsibilities, and the future of MLP 🔥 Addressing the collusion rumors around the Ben Johns trade 🎉 The fan experience debate: should MLP embrace louder crowds? 🏆 Highlights from PPA Las Vegas, APP Chicago, and even PPA Asia 💬 Your fan questions – from wooden paddle tournaments to the rise of the lob Alex brings fresh perspective, some pushback, and honest answers about what it takes to run a pro pickleball franchise. Big thank you to our sponsor, Momentous. Momentous is the gold standard in creatine, save 35% on your order with code THEDINK at http://livemomentous.com 👉 Subscribe to PicklePod for weekly episodes breaking down the pro game, insider stories, and candid conversations with the biggest names in pickleball. #PicklePod #Pickleball #MLP #BenJohns #LAMadDrops Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 02:45 – Introducing Alex Geesbreght, new LA Mad Drops owner 04:40 – Why Alex bought into Major League Pickleball 06:55 – The family story that inspired his love for the sport 10:00 – Team valuations & building long-term value in MLP 13:15 – How engaged are MLP owners really? 16:00 – Should fans be loud during points? The tension vs. noise debate 22:00 – Trade deadline drama & Ben Johns acquisition explained 25:05 – Alex addresses collusion rumors head-on 28:50 – Zane answers fan questions: paddles, lobs & lighting Erik Tice 35:50 – Coaching shakeups: Christian & Lee Waters split 38:10 – Rollout courts controversy + player withdrawals 43:00 – Singles upsets: Crum vs Fed, Looch’s rise, and more 52:15 – Mixed doubles lobfest: Anna Bright goes sky-high 56:30 – Men’s doubles drama: Travis & Julian meltdown 59:00 – Women’s doubles fireworks: Tyra & Georgia upset ALW/AB 1:05:50 – Finals recap + Looch’s back-to-back titles 1:08:00 – PPA Asia: Connor Garnett’s triple crown 1:10:20 – APP Chicago recap + TO (Terrell Owens) plays pickleball 1:12:30 – Looking ahead: Cincinnati Slam preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off the MLP Finals in New York City, this special Picklepod episode comes straight from a Starbucks parking lot. We break down everything you missed—from the chaos at Wrigley Field to the messy pickleball showcase with Carlos Alcaraz, and of course, the Cinderella run of the Columbus Sliders. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, player smack talk, and a candid look at how the Finals unfolded, including the heartbreak, the big wins, and the gritty performances that defined the weekend. Plus, listener Q&A on MLP’s future, roster moves, controversial rules, and more. Big thank you to our sponsor, Momentous. Momentous is the gold standard in creatine, save 35% on your order with code THEDINK at http://livemomentous.com 📺 Don’t miss the MLP Finals live on CBS, Saturday Aug 23 at 12 PM ET. Subscribe for more unfiltered pickleball takes and pro insights. Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 MLP Exhibition in Chicago 2:15 NYC pickleball event with Carlos Alcaraz goes wrong 7:36 MLP Semifinals recap 16:53 Challenger Level Finals recap 21:21 MLP Finals reaction 26:33 Listener Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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17-year-old phenom John Lucian “Johnny G” Goins just shocked the pickleball world, winning his first PPA Tour singles title in Bristol. We dive deep into his rapid rise — from upsetting Ben Johns earlier this year to joining the elite list of teenagers to win on tour. Johnny shares: - How online school fuels his training schedule - The chess strategies that make him deadly on court - Why he plays doubles differently than singles - His mindset for taking down the best in the game Plus: 🏓 Bristol PPA recap – Stompgate with Christian Alshon, Anna Bright’s singles return, Matt Wright’s big run, and contract updates shaking up pro pickleball. 🎯 Hot takes on the most complete singles player on tour. 💰 Inside scoop on the new UPA prize money model. Whether you’re here for the strategy, the drama, or just love seeing a new star born — this one’s loaded. 📲 Follow Johnny G: https://www.instagram.com/johngoinspb/ on Instagram #Pickleball #PPA #Picklepod #JohnLucianGoins #MLP #BenJohns #AnnaBright #PickleballPodcast. Cycling Frog is giving away their best-selling THC seltzers for free. You just pay two bucks for shipping. That’s it. Get yours here: https://cyclingfrog.com/pages/seltzer-giveaway?utm_source=TheDink&utm_medium=TheDink&utm_campaign=TheDink If you’ve been on your feet a lot lately, especially at tournaments, do yourself a favor and check out these shoes from G-DEFY: https://www.gravitydefyer.com/discoun... Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 00:00 Intro & Bristol Recap Preview 02:20 Meet John Lucian Goins 05:15 Doubles vs Singles Practice 09:50 Upsetting Ben Johns in Cape Coral 12:15 Leveling Up the Doubles Game 14:35 Bristol Mindset & Surprising Win 16:55 Why Johnny G Excels in Singles 19:50 Joining the Elite Teen PPA Winners 21:10 How Chess Improves Pickleball Strategy Erik Tice 26:50 Sword Story & Self Defense 32:35 Bristol Men’s Doubles Surprises 39:30 Anna Bright’s Singles Return & Power Ranking 43:30 UPA Contracts Explained 48:55 Teen Gold Medal Club Stats 51:55 Anna Leigh Waters’ Historic Dominance 55:15 Stompgate with Christian Alshon 01:01:40 MLP Playoffs Schedule Quirks 01:04:25 Listener Q&A: Tyra Black vs Annalee Waters 01:08:15 Listener Q&A: Is the ATP Worth It? 01:10:35 Listener Q&A: Lifetime Ball Opinions 01:12:50 Listener Q&A: Best Padel Players in Pickleball 01:14:40 – Rapid-Fire Instagram Q&A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the PicklePod: Zane Navratil and T-Dog (Erik Tice) break down the final MLP regular season event in Salt Lake City, where the Utah Black Diamonds shocked the league, Christian Alshon was mysteriously benched, and the Orlando Squeeze might’ve been playing 4D chess. Grayson Golden delivered the ultimate one-match flex, and the Lifetime Ball is officially the new PPA standard — whether you like it or not. Then, Nico “Nacho Libre” the Lefty returns to the pod to hand out the real MLP awards. Forget the MVPs — we’re talking: 🏆 The Ben Johns Teammate of the Year 🎉 The Lea Jansen “Here for a Good Time, Not a Long Time” Award 🤯 The Jericho Grollman “You Guys Are a Joke” Crashout Moment of the Year Nico and Zane debate whether MLP needs a “Thanos Snap” to cut the league in half, expose shady GM decisions, rank the best men and women in the league, and give love to glue guys like Blaine and Grayson. 👇 Drop your picks for MLP MVP and Crashout of the Year in the comments. Cycling Frog is giving away their best-selling THC seltzers for free. You just pay two bucks for shipping. That’s it. Get yours here: https://cyclingfrog.com/pages/seltzer-giveaway?utm_source=TheDink&utm_medium=TheDink&utm_campaign=TheDink Follow along with Aaron's efforts to spread the game here https://www.facebook.com/pickleballplanter Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Last day of school vibes 04:00 Utah Black Diamonds dominate at home, clinch playoff berth 10:30 Christian Alshon gets benched – why? 11:30 QDwins Monsoon Open in India, and no one notices 13:30 Lifetime Ball becomes official ball of the PPA 14:30 Soapbox moment: Clarifying Jim Kloss’s “official” All-MLP awards 18:00 Bristol PPA preview – does anyone care? 19:45 MLP Playoffs explained: Format, seeds, matchups, and why the rules make no sense Nico the Lefty 24:30 Nico the Lefty returns: Nacho Libre look + MLP Thanos snap theory 28:00 Do we need fewer teams in MLP? Tanking vs rebuilding 31:30 Why team loyalty doesn't exist yet in MLP 36:00 Jim Kloss vs Nico Twitter beef 39:00 All-MLP debate begins: Top 2 women of 2024 41:30 Gabe and Hayden = 1st team all-MLP? 47:00 Second Team All-MLP: ALW, Anna Bright, JW, Willie, Riley? 50:00 GM of the Year: Zane picks a surprise winner 55:00 “Here for a Good Time” Award: Grayson Golden’s ridiculous debut 59:00 Alex Walker’s Phoenix cameo, Blaine’s elite vibes 1:04:00 Ban flip-flops on court: Zane’s executive order 1:05:45 Jericho Grohlman Award: Best crashout moment of the year 1:09:00 Nico’s final takes: Is MLP still peaking or due for a reset? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The PicklePod is back with one of our most jam-packed episodes ever. 🏆 MLP Dallas shattered attendance records and delivered wall-to-wall chaos. The LA Mad Drops made their controversial debut… and immediately got swept. The Shock are rolling, Dreambreakers were electric, and Kate Fahey might be the most polarizing player in pro pickleball right now. 💰 Then, we talk to Lydia Hirt, VP of Marketing at Lifetime, about the $250,000 Lifetime Open — the first-ever singles-only pro pickleball tournament. Sideout scoring. Best of 5. Open to every top player in the world. ESPN2 coverage. This could be the future of singles pickleball. 🇺🇦 And finally, Aaron Trost joins the pod after spending two weeks in Ukraine, bringing pickleball to wounded soldiers and growing the game in war-torn communities. This is one of the most powerful stories we've ever told on the pod. Cycling Frog is giving away their best-selling THC seltzers for free. You just pay two bucks for shipping. That’s it. Get yours here: https://cyclingfrog.com/pages/seltzer... Follow along with Aaron's efforts to spread the game here https://www.facebook.com/pickleballpl... Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpick... -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 0:00 Intro 4:35 The Shock lock up the No. 1 spot 5:50 How did the Mad Drops stack up? 8:42 Projected playoff bracket 12:28 First look at the new Mad Drops 15:58 Augie brings out the birds 19:55 Decibels off the charts in Dallas 22:44 The $250K pickleball necklace 24:20 Questionable bench behavior 29:25 T-dog picks a bone with the Shock and Kate Fahey on X 35:12 A brief Salt Lake Preview Lydia Hirt 38:17 The $250K Life Time Singles Open 41:15 Open to competitors from both tours 44:35 Life Time’s pro 48 pickleball 49:40 What’s next from Life Time pickleball? 54:50 Will vs everybody Aaron Trost 55:41 Zane ends Aaron’s pro dreams 57:06 Traveling with Pickleball Planter 1:02:45 What surfaces are you playing on? 1:04:10 Pickleball is the game of choice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the dynamic world of Major League Pickleball with Ross Chaifetz, owner of the St. Louis Shock. We explore the intricacies of hosting a major event at the iconic Chaifetz Arena, the strategic moves in the pickleball ecosystem, and the recent trade buzz surrounding Ben Johns. Join us as we discuss the challenges and triumphs of building a diversified pickleball portfolio, the future of the sport, and the exciting playoff picture. Don't miss out on the insights and hot takes from the heart of the pickleball community! Cycling Frog is giving away their best-selling THC seltzers for free. You just pay two bucks for shipping. That’s it. Get yours here: https://cyclingfrog.com/pages/seltzer-giveaway?utm_source=TheDink&utm_medium=TheDink&utm_campaign=TheDink Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ Ross Chaifetz 0:00 Intro 5:30 Testing pickleball in a real arena 8:29 Concerns about court conditions 12:15 Ross questions the Ben Johns trade on X 17:32 Building a pickleball ecosystem 20:55 The new #1 team in MLP Erik Tice 25:20 Understanding the trade deadline extension 31:01 Dallas willing to pay for subs 34:39 Simplifying the Ben Johns 38:03 Mad Drops playoff outlook 43:36 Seven teams could win it all 45:26 Brooklyn battled through injuries all year 48:20 The Flash taking major L’s in STL 50:31 Rollout courts still need improvement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The MLP Mid-Season Championship was not short on storylines. The Dallas Flash exerted their dominance on the league, we got another middle finger sighting on a pickleball court, and of course, player absences led to the first UPA contract termination.Connor Garnett joins the pod to share how he is teaching the world to twoey and Brian Levine weighs in on the DUPR algorithm update. If you’ve been on your feet a lot lately, especially at tournaments, do yourself a favor and check out these shoes from G-DEFY: https://www.gravitydefyer.com/discount/dink?redirect=/pages/pickleball-summer-25-gdefy-shoes-engineered-for-comfort?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=dink Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------Erik Tice0:00 The Flash can’t be stopped7:30 Should matches be played to a decision10:50 College vs the pros14:05 Challenger level finals go to a Dreambreaker18ish Big names missing from Grand Rapids24:47 Why was he not with his team?26:05 Rafa and Collin played for 2 teams this weekend26:56 UPA nuked the QD contract33:58 There are only 2 possible explanations38:00 Big weekend for Fu/Blaine42:00 Who is on the move this week?46:30 St. Louis promises the best pickleball event everConnor Garnett45:20 Can’t escape the pickleball grind48:00 Locked in on Twoey School1:03:27 Planning the collabBrian Levine1:07:55 Changing the DUPR algorithm 1:18:05 Are there consequences for not curb-stomping an opponent1:25:49 Point value added stats in the future1:27:47 An age bubble still exists for seniors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're joined by a legend from the world of golf, Sir Nick Faldo. Faldo is a recent pickleball convert and is building a court at his Montana home. Faldo made news last year for using pickleball to roast LIV Golf's viewership numbers. We draw comparisons between golf and pickleball's different iterations of Tour Wars. Plus Erik Forsythe was the biggest story coming out of MLP New York. We hear about his experience stepping out of the crowd and onto the big stage. Finally, Zane recaps everything that happened in pickleball last week, including APP Newport Beach, PPA Malaysia, and roster moves around the league. Dial in your recovery, energy, and focus with Superpower. Get started at https://superpower.com/start/dink See what your feet have been missing with pickleball shoes from Sqairz: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101298884-15493245?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsqairz.com%2Fproducts%2Fxrz-mens&ref=thedinkpickleball.com Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------ 0:00 Intro 3:00 APP upsets in Newport Beach 7:46 PPA’s debut event in Malaysia 9:18 Collin Johns added by the Breakers 11:40 Quang Duong absent from Beer City 13:23 MLP NYC results - Yuta steps up 18:40 Challenger level results Erik Forsythe 37:21 Erik Forsythe joins the pod 42:27 Who better to rep NY? Sir Nick Faldo 47:14 Introducing Sir Nick Faldo 48:54 Nick Faldo + pickleball quote 54:54 Player contracts inflated 1:01:06 Building epic tournaments 1:04:20 Creating for the viewers 1:07:40 Golf/pickleball in small spaces 1:11:56 Landmark courses add to the game’s value 1:16:11 Sir Nick’s new shoes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on PicklePod, we break the news that fully automated line calling is coming to pro pickleball. No more arguments, no more missed calls — just cold, hard tech making the decisions. Finally! Andrea Koop joins the pod to talk about ESPN bringing SportsCenter to the Beer City Open. How did Grand Rapids land the spotlight, and what does this mean for pickleball’s mainstream future? We also dig into the biggest on-court drama of the weekend: Jessie Irvin vs. Genie Bouchard. Tension during warmups led to a full-blown walk-off and some major lineup chaos. We have the inside details. Connor Pardoe stops by to explain the new UPA contract extensions, prize money structures, and what the future holds for signed and unsigned pros. Some are calling it smart business. Others aren’t so sure. Plus, we get into trade rumors, breakout performances, and which teams are quietly becoming title threats heading into the back half of the MLP season. If you’ve been on your feet a lot lately, especially at tournaments, do yourself a favor and check out these shoes from G-DEFY: https://www.gravitydefyer.com/discount/dink?redirect=/pages/pickleball-summer-25-gdefy-shoes-engineered-for-comfort?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=dink Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------ Andrea Koop 0:00 Sportscenter is coming to Beer City 5:35 Belknap Park is growing with the game 9:05 Tournament ownership provides a different feel Erik Tice 11:02 T-Dog was on the mic again in San Clemente 12:24 Ranchers on the hot seat for Etta trade 18:34 The Mad Drops missed their chance 21:20 Brooklyn subs came up huge 27:41 The Hard 8’s are fun to watch 30:54 No longer the vibes team of MLP 43:50 Loong battles through the dirt bike injury 45:22 Listener questions Connor Pardoe 53:52 Zane agrees with 90% of the contract restructuring 57:50 How do we work towards what’s best for fans/players 1:03:32 More difficult for players to break in 1:07:37 Moving from guaranteed to incentive-based 1:13:22 The three forms of cheating 1:15:05 Automated line calls Javier Regalado 1:23:45 GPF President joins the pod 1:31:05 What qualifies a group to represent the country? 1:34:40 The three way conversation between IFP/WPF/GPF 1:37:55 What actually happened in Switzerland? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a full house on this week's PicklePod. We're joined by the breakout stars from the Orange County Cup, Rafa Lenhard, Yufei Long, and Jamie Wei. We cover their journey to the pro ranks and the controversial call that is testing Lenhard's resolve. Plus, there is big news in international pickleball as World Pickleball Federation Founder, Seymour Rifkind, breaks down a recent merger between the WPF and IFP to help move pickleball one step closer to the Olympics. Next up, Superpower Co-Founder Max Marchione explains a new approach to personalized medicine that is helping Zane and Thomas hone in on peak performance. Find out how it works and how you can take control of your health with Superpower. Finally, Erik Tice dives deep on all the headlines from the weekend, including Federico Staksrud's departure from adidas, TMZ covering the other Zane's paddle smash, and the eye for an eye nature of pro pickleball. Dial in your recovery, energy, and focus with Superpower. Get started at https://superpower.com/start/dink Try the ball that everyone has been talking about and save 15% with code THE DINK 👉 https://komodopickleball.com/?sca_ref=8092923.JzF5RFN4VCnZ8y&sca_source=picklepod-june-2025-ad-read Follow this week's guests here: Rafa Lenhard: https://www.instagram.com/rafalenhard/ Yufei Long: https://www.instagram.com/yufei_long/ Jamie Wei: https://www.instagram.com/jamieweiiii_pb/ Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------ Rafael Lenhard 0:00 Introducing Rafa Lenhard 4:05 No. 62 seed upsets Ben Johns 7:10 The controversial match winner Seymour Rifkind 15:50 Seymour Rifkind talks Olympics aspirations 19:55 Divided governance for the international game 27:23 The timeline for Olympic pickleball 30:11 Sorting out, drug testing, paddle testing, and line calling Max Marchione 35:35 Superpower CEO Max Marchioness joins the pod 37:50 How does Superpower work with wearable health devices 43:30 What the process looks like 47:30 Applications for the everyday player Yufei Long and Jamie Wei 57:02 Yufei and Jamie are all-in on pickleball 1:05:13 Trailblazers show out in San Clemente 1:08:50 International opponents and play style Erik Tice 1:11:58 Judit Castillo bronze in return 1:15:30 Rafa Lenhard upsets Ben Johns 01:20:40 Paddle Smash: A Viral Moment in Pickleball 01:22:01 The Eye for an Eye: Cheating in Pro Pickleball 01:29:06 Dominance in Doubles: The Unbeatable Pairings 01:34:25 The Race for Number One: Hunter vs. Federico 01:38:10 Adidas and Federico: A Professional Split 01:41:50 The Big Four: Dominance in Men's Doubles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLP Dayonta is being called the Event of the Year, at least according to Zane. We saw the first upset of a top-eight team and Ben Johns might be ready for the MLP stage. Erik Tice lays out his playoff predictions and indicates how MLP teams are skirting the rules to acquire new players. Plus, Nico the Lefty has made the leap from X all the way to the PicklePod. He debates Zane on dominance in sports and provides his winners and losers from Daytona. Dial in your recovery, energy, and focus with Superpower. Get started at https://superpower.com/start/dink Try the ball that everyone has been talking about and save 15% with code THE DINK 👉 https://komodopickleball.com/?sca_ref=8092923.JzF5RFN4VCnZ8y&sca_source=picklepod-june-2025-ad-read Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------ 0:00 MLP Daytona steals the show 7:54 The 5s vs Utah 9:52 Upset insights 15:41 Ben and Collin return to MLP 22:34 Erik’s Playoff Outlook Charted 27:54 Michael Loyd traded for Rafa Hewett 34:29 Update on stolen test equipment Nico the Lefty 33:08 Nico maybe a secret 5s fan 39:12 Nico's daily reminder about Jack Sock 44:24 ALW vs Serena Williams 51:22 The maturity of the pickleball vs tennis 57:01 The most athletic players in pickle 59:51 Winners and losers of MLP Daytona 1:05:50 Alshon’s effort is unmatched 1:09:18 Amish pickleball and listener questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zane sits down with one of the most innovative founders in the sport of pickleball, The Picklr CEO Jorge Barragan. They cover The Picklr's expansion to Japan and why Picklr members 6X the national average of 5.0+ players. Jorge expands on the acquisition of legacy brand Vulcan and divulges why the Vulcan ball made the deal a perfect fit. Also, Erik Tice and Zane weigh in on the Quang Duong suspension, call for a bounty on pickleball's newest crime spree, and try to start a spending war between billionaires. Dial in your recovery, energy, and focus with Superpower. Get started at https://superpower.com/start/dink Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------ 0:00 T-Dog hits Championship Court in Phoenix 5:48 Quang Duong suspension and fine 16:29 QD is also entering the ball game 17:32 Spencer Smith fills in for the Mad Drops 21:22 Jalina Ingram’s impressive MLP debut 23:35 Premature celebration or hindrance 27:40 Weird challenge results 31:22 Mad Drops with a full roster - Flames flame out 36:02 Has MLP lost its luster? 40:38 Viv for Viv trade between Chicago and Atlanta 42:03 Chaifetz press conference promises best pickleball event ever 44:59 Stack acquires Vulcan Pickleball 45:52 $60,000 machine missing Jorge Barragan 53:17 Jorge Barragan makes PicklePod debut 56:11 Kenton is a mix of Pardoe and Barragan 58:49 Stack + The Picklr acquire Vulcan 1:04:20 Zane’s 5.0+ “training session” at The Pickle 1:22:22 Anna Leigh Waters hits Times Square and Zane adds Gen Z followers 1:14:43 Listener questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matty Pickles was completely in his element hosting Major League Pickleball's Austin event. From data visualizations all the way to the broadcast booth, Matty had the event on lock. We get the inside scoop on how the Texas Ranchers transformed the Pickle Ranch into a pickleball paradise. Armaan Bhatia picked up his first APP gold on the grand stage of the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. He joins the pod to recap an epic singles final against Alex Crum. Our guy, Erik Tice gives his major takeaways from the weekend and breaks down how strength of schedule is influencing the standings. Dial in your recovery, energy, and focus with Superpower. Get started at https://superpower.com/start/dink Performance, comfort, and style in one effortless collection. Save 20% on apparel from MUEV with code THEDINK at https://muevbrand.com/collections/new-arrivals-2 Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------ Matty Pickles 0:00 Matty Pickles first MLP event 4:55 Tell us about the charts 8:42 Weighted season schedules 10:08 A good weekend for the haters 13:27 Zane’s undefeated weekend 15:38 Blind rankings Erik Tice 19:21 Tice was a surprise guest in Austin 21:52 Takeaways from the weekend 24:28 The Oncins X factor 26:50 Yes, Chef Chant 28:25 Strength of schedule advantage 33:00 What are we doing at the Challenger Level? 37:30 APP NYC recap 41:28 Breaking News - Grayson Goldin on PPA 47:02 Life Time ball not USAP approved 49:30 Sponsorship offers and engagement 51:09 OnlyFans pickleball show 53:03 Changing the MLP Rulebook Armaan Bhatia 57:11 Live from Mumbai - Armaan Bhatia 1:00:15 Unreal 27-25 game score to win gold 1:03:07 Is a contract on the way? 1:04:38 Listener Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices