Rising pro Jon Lucien pulls up to Bad Calls to talk back-to-back singles wins, why deception beats pace, and how a chess habit sharpens his reads. We argue Gen 1 vs Gen 4 paddles, recap the PPA Vintage Open with wood, and ask a simple question with a messy answer: who’s the best men’s doubles player right now?

We also get into Malaysia Cup fan energy, MLP vs PPA for growth, Buccee's road rituals, and why doubles takes longer to “solve.” Jon shares his partner plans, a perfect SAT flex, and the strategy he uses to ice opponent momentum.

The Kawamoto sisters snag gold in Cincinnati and prove that they were severely underrated! We get into why their patient style works and how parity is catching up to the big teams.

Paddles: the RPM is making noise, but UPA approval is still pending. We talk dwell time, pop, and why switching sticks mid-season can mess with your trajectory. Sacramento’s wooden-paddle event is next. After testing wood, we explain why points feel more strategic and why some spin-heavy players could struggle.

There’s plenty of pro gossip too. Will Hayden and Fed split? Are CJ and JW next? Ben teams with Alshon in Asia. Also yes, we test a grip-weight gadget on air and the name sends us off the rails. Enjoy.

We’re back at Crescent Lake and it finally isn’t raining. Travis breaks down a grueling PPA Challenger weekend, the certification chaos that has paddles swapping mid-event, and why half the new sticks are failing tests. We talk lab tour intel, the missing deflection machine saga, roll-out courts in Vegas, and whether random crowd noise should ever be a hindrance.

Graham floats a take that singles training should drop way down once you break through, and we kick around what that means for players chasing doubles partners and real paydays.

Hit the comments with two things: do you prefer indoor studio faces or Crescent Lake vibes, and do you want live court segments back next episode?

Andre Daescu just went full beast mode at MLP Finals in New York. He didn’t just win, he dominated. We’re talking flawless men’s play, carrying the Sliders, and even making Anna Leigh look human. So we had to ask… is Daescu officially the best men’s player in the world right now?

We break down the finals weekend, debate the Ben vs. Andre argument, talk about the wild DreamBreaker drama, and even dive into some spicy team roster rumors for next season. Plus, we share some behind the scenes stories from NYC and what’s coming next for MLP.

This week we cover everything from rowdy Utah crowds heckling pros to why Dallas might have been the loudest MLP event ever. We get into why Ben Johns will dominate with a wooden paddle, who we think should be the top men’s doubles pairing, and whether pro pickleball players are actually making too much money.

Ben Johns gets traded to the Mad Drops… and the league kind of melted down. Was it collusion? Was it smart business? Depends on who you ask.

We break down the shady-looking deal, the $400K+ price tag, and what it means for MLP's top teams. Oh—and did someone really offer $25K to throw a Challenger match? Yep. That too.

Plus:
 – The Shock vs Flash rivalry heats up
 – Tyra takes a tumble
 – AJ Kohler is lob-core now
 – Travis fails the paddle test (again)
 – And we rate the hottest players in pickleball (yes, really)

It’s all chaos, and we’re here for it.

We’re back from New York and we’ve got stories. The venue didn't smell great, one of us might be kidnapped by now, and someone definitely ordered Domino’s in NYC. We talk DreamBreakers, Collin Johns dominating Challenger, Sam Querry entering the chat, and yeah… someone stole Rachel's Labubu. This one’s all over the place, but that’s kinda the point.

We break down Travis’ intentional hook at PPA San Clemente. Yes, it was on purpose, and no, he’s not sorry. Plus: new Smash teammates and more Labubu controversy.

A $50,000 fine made the news this week, we break down what happened, why it matters, and whether the punishment fits the moment. Then it’s on to MLP Austin and Daytona: the wins and the rise (and stumble) of some surprising teams.

The Florida Smash made their debut in the new format — we’ve got a full recap, plus thoughts on what’s clicking, what’s not, and why rally scoring just isn’t bringing the juice.

We also get into the latest gear (including a surprisingly good butt cap), some questionable line calls, and the growing list of MLP quirks, from smoke machines to Saturday Night showdowns.

New jerseys, big heads, and even bigger drama. The Bad Calls crew is on-site at the Racket Club of St. Pete, where they break down Florida Smash’s new look (and unexpected OnlyFans followers), recap a chaotic Atlanta event, and unpack everything from Anna Bright’s sideline stares to a new ball that’s quietly transforming singles. Plus: CJ Klinger’s breakout, Nelson-level drama at the U.S. Open, and the Smash’s MLP return. Oh—and did we mention Carlos Alcaraz? Let’s go.