The first paddle challenge of 2025 revealed some major flaws in the system. Travis Rettenmaier challenged three paddles at PPA Mesa and despite winning the challenge, received no retribution.

JOOLA Chief Experience Officer Gordon Kaye weighs in on the situation and explains how the world of professional table tennis handles paddle testing differently.

Finally Erik Tice drops in to cover the MLP Draft winners and losers. Plus Zane convinces him to blind rank the best 'pickleball stats nerds'.

Are you the go-to source for pickleball news and equipment in your area? Become a Royal Pickleball Ambassador and help your community test out new products and more. Join here: http://ambassadors.royalpickleball.com/

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/

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

------------------

00:00:00 - The First Paddle Challenge of the Year

00:06:16 - Future of Paddle Testing

00:10:12 - New Paddle Launch Discussion

00:15:01 - Andre Agassi's Involvement

00:16:32 - Travis Rettenmaier's Paddle Challenge

00:20:28 - Reflections on the Challenge Process

00:23:02 - Proposed Solutions for Paddle Testing

00:28:02 - MLP Draft Analysis and Surprises

00:30:07 - Team Strategies and Spending

00:37:05 - Carolina's Draft Decisions

00:40:30 - Ben's Engagement in MLP

00:45:22 - Martin Emmerich's Draft Status

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices