PicklePod

Back in March, leaders from pickleball’s top organizations gathered under one roof at the racquetX Conference to discuss the future of the game. The Dink’s own Thomas Shields led a panel that included: Anne Worcester - Strategic advisor, MLP Bryce Morgan - President, PPA Tour Tom Webb - Chief Marketing Officer, APP Mike Nealy - Chief Executive Officer, USA Pickleball Find an event near you and reg...

What's your DUPR? Are you above or below the average player? DUPR CEO Tito Machado breaks down how the game is exploding among younger players and in more countries. Plus Zane and Thomas recap events from MLP Atlanta including illegal substances, players earning penalties, and a dust-up between The 5's and Hustlers. It's not just the weapon, it's the warrior. Save 10% at https://warstic.com/collec...

Travis 'The Rattlesnake' Rettenmaier joins the pod fresh off a PPA Bronze with Zane Navratil. Travis shares the life-changing pickleball experience that led to him becoming a pickleball pro and MLP team owner. Travis is not shy to call out cheating at the pro ranks. He goes in on how new paddles have changed the identity of the game overnight. Recover faster. Play Longer. Get 10% off devices that...

Lea Jansen joins the pod after her first singles title in nearly three years. We discuss paddle technology, her return to singles, drug testing, and the new wave of players in the women's game. A big change is imminent in the pro game. Find out what Lea would change to help the game keep up with other professional sports. Save 20% on Tifosi sunglasses with code DINK20 at https://tifosioptics.com/...

Dan Martinson from PIKKL joins the pod to discuss the current state of paddle technology. Dan's material science background and passion for pickleball have led him to become a paddle expert. His new approach to maintaining paddle integrity could have a big impact on how players use and replace paddles. Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorle...

Augie Ge’s unique entry into pickleball had an unfortunate beginning but became a blessing in disguise. After losing his biostatistics job, Ge went all-in and pro pickleball. His own brand of obscure drills and tennis/ping pong background have led him to a PPA Silver Medal, MLP Premier Level, and an Arizona Pickleball League title. Ready to wield something as bold as your backhand? Swing by Warsti...

Newly appointed GM of the Texas Ranchers, Ryan Dawidjan, joins the pod. The guys grade and analyze all of the MLP teams following the draft. The Ranchers' first pick Christian Alshon has started a Twitter feud. The guys discuss how the back and forth shook out and a new possible on-court challenge between Alshon and James Blake. Ready to wield something as bold as your backhand? Swing by Warstic’s...

Zane recaps his big weekend at the Austin Open and how the conditions were right for a Johns upset. Pickleball United CEO Pranav Kohli stops by to explain the Pickleball World Series. The new international tour is set to kick off in 2025 and offers some of the largest prize pools in pickleball history. Use code DINK10 to save 10% on the new CHUCK pickleball from GAMMA at http://gammasports.com/ Wa...

What’s it like to be the world’s best player at just 17 years old? Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters join a very special edition of the PicklePod to give you a look behind the curtain. They share some insane fan stories including groups of fans tracking them down at the airport. Finally, Anna Leigh explains how to hit one of her most dangerous shots. Save 10% on the new Airbender paddle from GAMMA with...

Jimmy Miller from the King of the Court podcast joins the pod to break down the merger aftermath. The MLP season can finally get underway but there are still a few loose ends to tie up. A couple players have opted out of salary reductions or have been bought out of their contracts. That means we could see some top talent choosing not to compete in PPA or MLP events this year. Pickleball's #1 subsc...

After a surprising upset in Mesa, Collin Johns is back on the PicklePod. He explains how the new Vulcan ball is affecting play and how the new serve rule has helped remove egregious faults from the game. Collin recalls the few teams that have taken him and his brother Ben in the past three years and explains how those opponents were able to hand them an L. Learn what three drills CJ says are manda...

Jaume Martinez Vich is the guest on an all-new episode of the PicklePod. From humble origins in Spain, Jaume has gone from Rafa Nadal's hitting partner to a DII Tennis National Champion and is now a top 10 pro pickleball player. Learn more about Jaume's risky bet on himself to make it as a pickleball pro. He shares the details of how he fought for a performance-based contract and exceeded expectat...

Tom Webb, the Chief Marketing Officer at the APP sits down with Thomas and Zane to share a little of what the APP has been building in the shadows. From international events to college championships and establishing a new headquarters in FL, the APP has been quietly making moves. Their goal is to share their brand of pickleball with the world and lay the foundation for the next generation. We're g...

The big man, Dekel Bar, steps into the PicklePod studio to get some things off his chest. Dekel is not a fan of the new serve rule and thinks it detracts from viewer friendly pickleball. Zane and Dekel had an epic semifinal matchup and the Desert Ridge Open. We break down the hostile attacks and game-changing clips that made the match unforgettable. Sign up to play at the Picklebowl '24 at the Pla...

Zane and the boys get raucous in Austin for his bachelor party. He suffers the right of passage of the white rabbit run and falls asleep at a comedy club. The PPA-MLP 'deadline' has officially passed but there are still questions unanswered. The guys discuss whether China prepping for Olympic supremacy should have pros concerned. Sign up to play at the Picklebowl '24 at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in...

Riley Newman makes a special appearance on the PicklePod and shares his best stories from six years of pro pickleball. Newman covers his break up with Matt Wright and how he is building partnerships in 2024. The guys give an update on the PPA - MLP merger and Riley explains his surprising decision to sign with MLP last year. Finally, Riley responds to the haters who don't like his style of play or...

Jack Munro is a pickleball OG. He picked up the game before it was cool and was a junior national champion a decade ago. After a long hiatus, he is back to reclaim his throne in America's fastest-growing sport. Zane and Jack are joined by Carlos Di Laura who is putting together a pro pickleball playground and training center in Austin. Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.s...

Drop a comment below for a chance to win a Zane Navratil Signature Paddle. The progression draw has been met with some pushback. Some pros aren't fans of being pushed aside to make room for tennis superstars. The new carry rule has players everywhere arguing and pulling out their rulebooks. Zane lays out his bold predictions including another new serve rule. Pickleball's #1 subscription box is her...

Drop a comment below for a chance to win a Zane Navratil Signature Paddle. Both pro tours will feature a new ball in 2024. How will the change affect the pro game and will this trickle down to a consumer market that has been dominated for years? New serve rules could help eliminate the game's serve regulation struggles. Some players have navigated the contract minefield and have few limitations fo...

There is a new deadline on the PPA/MLP merger but there still seems to be no clear path to the finish line. “Big Pickleball” has started throwing its weight around and it's got some players on the defensive. Thomas sums up the game's current juxtaposition in a pickleball version of The Night Before Christmas that you don’t want to miss. Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink....

Thomas is away and Zane is hosting a party. Jason Bock and Carlos Di Laura join Zane in-studio to cover a disappointing loss at MLP San Clemente, action from the PPA Finals and all things Austin pickleball. Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/ To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html Shop...

Altaf Merchant joins the pod after completing a perfect season in men’s senior pro doubles. The Mumbai Monster recaps the most exciting matches on his way to a 59-0 record. Merchant explains how his fiery personality has gotten him into trouble on the court and shares why he thinks he was snubbed in the MLP 2023 draft. To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: http...

Connor Garnett is in studio to cover everything from Nationals in Dallas. The former investment banker made the switch to full-time pickleball in 2023 and it is paying off. Garnett weighs in on the drop serve discussion and Zane explains why the serve is so difficult to regulate. Connor shares his experience with the progression draw and questions if JW Johnson and Collin Johns swap secrets to ben...

Paddles were dropping left and right at MLP Dallas. Zane estimates that 90% of paddles were ruled out via PPL testing before the event. Affected pros were left searching for legal paddles. The boys recap the MLP action including Federico Staksrud’s blow-up on Saturday, the now infamous two-become-one rule, and all of the vuvuzela noise. To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for t...

USA Pickleball’s man behind the paddle tests shares his wealth of knowledge with the PicklePod. Carl Schmits explains what is going on with the new wave of paddles hitting the market and the discrepancy between testing organizations. Zane and Thomas recap the APP Houston Open and weigh in on the line call controversy that brought an army of extra eyes to Championship Court. To support Stop Alzheim...