What actually makes a "good" partner? It isn't just a DUPR rating. In this episode, Rick Witsken and Fabian Rodriguez break down the intricate dance of pickleball partnerships. Rick shares his "Big Rick" philosophy on taking the middle, the importance of high EQ during timeouts, and why phrasing your suggestions as "we" instead of "you" can be the difference between a gold medal and a blowout.

We also recap a wild weekend in the PPA, featuring the "Tama Time" phenomenon—a 15-year-old surfer from Hawaii who just put the pro circuit on notice. Rick shares a major personal announcement about his return to the Indy Drivers, and Fabian gears up for his "Revenge Tour 2026." From deep-dive strategy on singles serving to the upcoming Summer Series at Third Shot Pickleball, this episode is packed with the insights you need to level up your game. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Subscribe 00:59 Upcoming Events Rundown 01:27 Interclub Combine Details 03:17 Indoor vs Outdoor Debate 04:41 Third Shot Summer Series 08:21 Citywide and Fall Events 10:19 Fabian Tournament Updates 12:44 Rick Returns to CSP 14:59 CSP Format and Expansion 18:03 PPA Finals Recap 24:18 Mixed Doubles Recap 25:06 Tama Time Breakout 27:16 New Blood Rising 28:45 Partnerships Docuseries 30:20 Finding The Right Fit 32:58 Partner EQ And Trust 35:31 Strategy With New Partners 37:41 Communication On Court 41:22 Mixed Dynamics And Timeouts 43:15 How To Find Partners 46:23 Mixed Vs Gender Doubles 48:06 Singles Tournament Tips 51:34 Closing Shoutouts