PicklePod

Zane is playing Worlds qualies on his birthday, CJ Klinger's Chipotle order is a crime scene, and Zane is officially "a correct asshole." 🥒

Nico the Lefty and Zane recap the MLP Nations Cup and ask whether it's a missed opportunity. They rank Team USA, argue about those jerseys, and preview PPA Worlds in Dallas. Then they go back through your comments on what makes someone a pro, play Guess My DUPR, and finish with a Halloween candy draft that Zane may regret.

In this episode:

- Worlds week in Dallas: birthdays, Airbnbs, shuttles, and Zane's qualifier surprise

- Why mixed doubles is the toughest draw in pickleball

- MLP Nations Cup: the team splits, Team USA's jerseys, and how to fix the format

- Is this Team USA the best MLP team ever? CJ Klinger's Chipotle sponsorship and order

- The new Houston Hammers, and the MLP commissioner we still don't have

- Worlds partnerships to watch, including Sophia Sewing and Nico Acevedo

- "What defines a pro pickleball player?" Round two, with your comments

- Guess My DUPR, plus a new use for DUPR in the comments

- The Halloween candy draft

Customize your own pickleball paddle today: https://www.joysentsport.com/pages/design (and don't forget to use code THEDINK for 10% off)

Shop for your next paddle at

🏓 Donate to the Solomon Boltes Memorial Pickleball Courts: https://www.gofundme.com/f/building-solomon-boltes-memorial-pickleball-courts

📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com

#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa

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

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/

-Join the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://discord.gg/ZCqXrxhgsv

-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

4:14 The shuttle situation in Dallas

10:35 The draws at Worlds are DEEP

12:19 Nations Cup reactions

20:30 CJ Klinger’s Chipotle sponsorship

25:04 Team USA is not #1?

33:31 MLP expands to 21 teams

38:24 New partnerships at World’s

45:55 Nico’s delisted paddle

56:06 What defines a pro response

1:09:00 Comments section

1:16:45 Guess my DUPR

1:23:32 Candy draft

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

Zane almost took a game off the world number one, and Nico still can't say "Catan." 🥒

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

Pickleball is getting louder, messier, and more interesting—and this week’s conversation proves it. Zane Navratil and Nico break down the latest pro pickleball stories, from tournament scheduling chaos in Australia and Hong Kong to first-time gold medalists, the rise of Elliott Shupp, and the debate over what belongs on center court.

Zane shares firsthand updates from competing overseas, including the challenge of overlapping tournaments and players having to choose between a semifinal and making it to their next event. Then the hosts discuss standout performances from Sophia Seving, Jaume Martinez Vich, and Elliott Shupp—and whether Shupp could already be one of the most dangerous lefties in pickleball.

The conversation turns to one of the sport’s biggest debates: screaming, taunting, and whether pro pickleball needs new rules. The hosts explore the proposed changes, possible double standards, and whether the sport should rein in its players—or embrace the moments that grab attention.

🏓 Donate to the Solomon Boltes Memorial Pickleball Courts: https://www.gofundme.com/f/building-solomon-boltes-memorial-pickleball-courts

📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com

#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa

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

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/

-Join the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://discord.gg/ZCqXrxhgsv

-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

4:06 PPA Australia vs Virginia Beach

11:24 Congrats Jaume + Elliot

21:21 MLP needs a commissioner

24:25 Jim Kloss’s proposed yelling rule

38:49 Crunching the numbers

49:24 Protesters at APP Louisville

51:29 Challenging AI line calls

58:59 Mean comments

1:15:37 Guess my DUPR

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

The biggest indoor pickleball business story of the year collides with a wild Chicago recap, and the debate around Annalee Waters, Ben Johns, and the future of pro pickleball gets surprisingly deep fast. If you want the sharpest takes on the PPA Chicago chaos, the Pickler bankruptcy, and the next wave of stars, this is the episode.

Zane and Nico break down everything that mattered from Chicago, starting with Annalee Waters hitting 200 PPA golds at 19 and the uncomfortable question nobody else wants to ask: what is left for her to chase? They also dig into Ben Johns’ latest doubles stumble, the pressure of playing with him, and why Jack Sock and Bruno/Anwar completely changed the feel of the men’s draw.

💊 Marek Health → https://www.marekdiagnostics.com | Code: THEDINK for 10% off

🏓 Donate to the Solomon Boltes Memorial Pickleball Courts: https://www.gofundme.com/f/building-solomon-boltes-memorial-pickleball-courts

📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com

#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa

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

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/

-Join the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://discord.gg/ZCqXrxhgsv

-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

1:42 Zane’s Australian hotel

4:17 Ranking US cities that are better than Sacramento

7:40 Anna Leigh Waters wins 200th PPA Gold

18:53 Nico's semi-pro ball knowledge

25:50 Men’s doubles recap with Ben and Jack

33:12 Big H stirs the pot with Eric Oncins

36:16 Men’s singles race + the new Flying Frenchman

44:57 Women’s doubles results + top ten rankings

53:50 Quick mixed doubles recap

57:01 Picklr bankruptcy

1:06:21 1% of players are 5.0s

1:10:42 MEAN COMMENTS

1:24:56 Guess my DUPR

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

Anna Bright joins Zane and Nico after her gold-medal run in Las Vegas to explain the moment everyone was talking about: challenging a ball at 10-0 with a double pickle on the line.

In this episode, Anna opens up about her competitive mindset, her partnership with Anna Lee, and why she won’t apologize for playing to win. She also talks about returning from a solo backpacking trip through Vietnam, how her game is evolving, and whether she sees herself as a stronger right-side or left-side player.

Plus, Zane and Nico break down the biggest stories from Vegas: Anna and Hayden’s mixed doubles gold, Ben Johns’ singles run, Kiera Kikumoto’s breakout, Nico Acevedo’s rise, and the debate over pay equity in pickleball. They also revisit the Christian Alshon–DJ Young ball standoff, pick dream partnerships in a new matchmaker segment, and get into comments, paddle talk, and another round of Guess My DUPR.

👕 Check out the new performance apparel line from Six Zero: https://bit.ly/3T9NaDM

🏓 Donate to the Solomon Boltes Memorial Pickleball Courts: https://www.gofundme.com/f/building-solomon-boltes-memorial-pickleball-courts

📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com

#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa

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

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/

-Join the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://discord.gg/ZCqXrxhgsv

-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

4:27 Ben Johns back on the singles podium

9:28 Ben is 14-1 against Christian Alshon

11:14 Anna Bright joins the pod

15:28 Locking in with Hayden for gold

18:50 Anna Bright went solo to Vietnam

22:47 Which pro would struggle on a solo trip to Vietnam?

26:31 The most ruthless challenge we’ve ever seen

33:51 Catherine and Tyra challenge the champs

37:28 Analyzing the mixed finals win

39:45 Can you be the best in the world from the right side?

43:29 Who do you like beating the most?

51:35 A new challenger for the women’s singles crown

57:17 Nico Acevedo proves he’s a top 10 player

59:20 Mean comments

1:11:46 Guess my DUPR

1:15:10 Matchmaker partnerships

1:20:09 Illegal paddles + the Ben Johns - Jack Sock partnership

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

Zane Navratil is a PPA gold medalist again—and Nico Acevedo nearly turned a grueling tournament run into a championship of his own. Zane shares what made PPA Barcelona feel like a throwback, while Nico joins the conversation to unpack his breakout performance alongside Yuta Funemizu.

Nico talks about going from college tennis to the pro pickleball tour, the support that helped him take the leap, and how he and Yuta fought through a string of demanding matches. Their run included wins over Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud, close calls, match-point battles, and a marathon final.

The conversation also gets into the details behind Nico’s dangerous backhand flick, the balance work that helps him reach and recover, and the communication and mindset that powered the team. Zane shares his take on the European circuit, the MLP Nations Cup, and why the next wave of international players could raise the level quickly.

Plus: Guess My DUPR, listener comments, serve-rule debate, and plenty of PicklePod banter.

👕 Check out the new performance apparel line from Six Zero: https://bit.ly/3T9NaDM

🏓 Donate to the Solomon Boltes Memorial Pickleball Courts: https://www.gofundme.com/f/building-solomon-boltes-memorial-pickleball-courts

📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com

#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa

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

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/

-Join the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://discord.gg/ZCqXrxhgsv

-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

3:17 Zane wins gold in Spain

9:28 Zane’s likes and dislikes in Spain

13:55 There is opportunity for players in Europe

22:45 Shout out to Judit Castillo

24:14 Nation’s Cup should borrow from Little League World Series

31:16 Guess my DUPR

35:57 Mean comments

Nico Acevedo

42:31 Nico Acevedo joins the pod

43:41 Johnny Goldberg tribute

50:40 Nico played soccer... and tennis

53:01 Believing you can win against the world’s best

57:10 What are comms like with Yuta?

59:33 The secret to Nico’s backhand flick

1:04:34 Mistaking Nico for Nico

1:07:23 Reliving the finals run

1:13:03 Late matches and getting heated with Christian

1:17:13 Nico’s future partners

1:23:21 Best forehand dink in pickleball

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

One of the wildest pickleball Sundays in a long time just got even crazier. A 15 seed nearly hijacks men’s doubles, a bird literally crashes the singles final, and the new PPA format changes are already reshaping who gets rewarded, who gets punished, and who might be gaming the system.

Nico and Zane break down the finals day in Mesa from top to bottom, starting with Chris Haworth vs Federico Staksrud and the absurd momentum swing that followed the most bizarre replay of the weekend. Then they unpack the run of the tournament: Yuta Funemizu and Nico Acevedo storming through the draw, saving match points, ripping off upset after upset, and coming within touching distance of a title that would have rewritten the sport’s rankings logic.

👕 Check out the new performance apparel line from Six Zero: https://bit.ly/3T9NaDM

💊 Marek Health → https://www.marekdiagnostics.com | Code: THEDINK for 10% off

🏓 Donate to the Solomon Boltes Memorial Pickleball Courts: https://www.gofundme.com/f/building-solomon-boltes-memorial-pickleball-courts

📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com

#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa

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

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/

-Join the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://discord.gg/ZCqXrxhgsv

-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

6:09 Chris Haworth receives luck from above

9:09 An epic run in men's doubles

17:31 Is Yuta the most slept on? Nico’s next partner?

22:21 Best 2/3 finals format

25:53 Pickleball officially becomes a nighttime sport

32:48 MLP hunting for a new commissioner

39:17 WPR has a singles problem

49:47 Anna Leigh Waters vs Kate Fahey

54:07 Mean comments

1:01:53 Women's doubles results

1:04:22 Nico’s combine experience

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

200 episodes in, the PicklePod is celebrating with one of its most revealing conversations yet about where pickleball is headed next.

Zane and Nico break down everything that happened at the PPA event in Kuala Lumpur, including the results, the impact of international competition, ranking points, and whether the current system is rewarding the right players. They also discuss the MLP Asia draft, the biggest surprises from the player selections, and what the league could mean for the future of professional pickleball.

Then Thomas Shields, founder of The Dink and the original Pickle Pod, joins the conversation to discuss the business side of pickleball. The group dives into recent facility closures, declining sale prices, market saturation, franchise models, and why the facility boom may be entering a healthier, more sustainable phase—not necessarily ending.

The conversation also explores whether Padel is a real threat to pickleball, what the two sports can learn from each other, the importance of community-driven facilities, and the technology and platforms that could shape the next generation of racquet sports.

Plus, the guys read hilarious listener comments, share favorite moments from 200 episodes, open pickleball trading card packs, revisit some of the show’s most memorable guests, and play another round of “Guess My DUPR.”

👕 Check out the new performance apparel line from Six Zero: https://bit.ly/3T9NaDM

🏓 Donate to the Solomon Boltes Memorial Pickleball Courts: https://www.gofundme.com/f/building-solomon-boltes-memorial-pickleball-courts

📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com

#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa

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

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/

-Join the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://discord.gg/ZCqXrxhgsv

-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

2:08 Results from Kuala Lumpur

12:28 MLP Asia Draft results

15:31 Mining gold in the comments section

25:52 Dub pickleball trading cards

36:28 PicklePod origin story

40:25 Pickleball facilities at a discount

49:38 Where would you invest $100K?

52:58 Padel vs pickleball

1:03:20 The best moments from the PicklePod

1:14:35 Guess my DUPR

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

Pickleball’s biggest assumptions just got blown up. From 100-degree chaos in Cary to the sport’s new ranking system, this episode breaks down the rule changes, schedule quirks, and surprising matchups that could reshape how pro pickleball looks all season.

Nico and Zane react to a brutal North Carolina swing where heat, humidity, and weird timing all hit at once, then get into the real debate: is pickleball actually an indoor sport now? They compare how wind, cold, and extreme heat change the ball, why nighttime pickleball might be better for viewers, and why the sport keeps scheduling marquee matches at times that make no sense for television.

They also unpack the PPA’s new WPR structure and what it means for seeding, byes, and singles specialists. Zane explains how the ranking formula weights men’s doubles, mixed doubles, and singles, while Nico pushes on the bigger question: does this help elite all-around players, or quietly punish specialists like Chris Haworth and others on the bubble?

🩺 With Marek, taking care of your health doesn't have to be a huge commitment.

Head to https://MarekDiagnostics.com and use code THEDINK for 10% off

🎟️ Win a Limited-Edition ALW C45 'The Fives' Paddle at https://giveaway.thedinkpickleball.com

👕 Check out the new performance apparel line from Six Zero: https://bit.ly/3T9NaDM

🏓 Donate to the Solomon Boltes Memorial Pickleball Courts: https://www.gofundme.com/f/building-solomon-boltes-memorial-pickleball-courts

📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com

#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa

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

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/

-Join the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://discord.gg/ZCqXrxhgsv

-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

5:07 Is pickleball better indoors or outdoors?

9:51 Why pro pickleball needs more nighttime matches

19:37 MLP’s 773,000 average viewers

24:36 How the new WPR rankings affect seeding

29:00 Why slams are switching to best-of-three finals

34:24 Why players switch sides at six points

39:28 The brutal schedule after MLP Finals

44:25 Christian’s awkward post-match comment

49:22 Is pickleball becoming three separate disciplines?

54:27 JW Johnson 2.0 takes down Ben and Anna Leigh Waters

59:00 Nico loses his JW Johnson excuse

1:04:04 The Anna Leigh Waters MVP debate

1:08:46 How long will Anna Leigh Waters’ singles streak last?

1:13:34 Where Sophia Sewing ranks in women’s pickleball

1:18:12 Can anyone challenge Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio?

1:22:32 Is Anna Bright close to Anna Leigh Waters?

1:27:22 Ranking the most dominant No. 1 seeds

1:31:24 Guess My DUPR

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

Anna Leigh Waters joins the Picklepod to break down the Fives’ MLP championship win, the pressure of the DreamBreaker, and the team decisions that helped them get over the hump.

She shares how Federico Staksrud changed the team, why beating the St. Louis Shock made the victory even more special, and how she handles criticism, social media noise, and the pressure of being considered the face of pickleball.

Anna Leigh also talks about the players she loves competing against, the parts of her game she’s still working to improve, and the mystery behind her question-mark Franklin paddle.

Go to https://GIVEAWAY.THEDINKPICKLEBALL.COM and enter to win the Anna Leigh Waters C45 'The Fives" Paddle - Ends September 16, 2026

🏓 Donate to the Solomon Boltes Memorial Pickleball Courts: https://www.gofundme.com/f/building-solomon-boltes-memorial-pickleball-courts

📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com

#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa

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

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/

-Join the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://discord.gg/ZCqXrxhgsv

-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 What was the difference this year?

2:29 The addition of Fed

4:39 Leading a team with roster decisions

6:16 Does it feel better beating the Shock?

8:26 Who is the most satisfying to beat?

10:04 Blocking out the opinions online

13:53 The greatest competitor Zane has ever seen

17:53 What are you working on now?

19:31 ALW’s only weakness

21:28 The New Anna Leigh Waters signature paddle?

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