No one was hotter than hotter than Hunter Johnson at the end of the 2024 season. He won three PPA titles in the second half of the year including a win at the PPA Finals.

Hear Hunter explained the mindset change that helped him reach the top and his take on the state of paddles and where he hopes to land as one of the few top players without a paddle sponsor.

Meet Mitopure® the only clinically validated, highly pure Urolithin A supplement. Use code DINK at checkout for 10% off your order. https://www.timeline.com/dink

Use code DINK10 to save 10% off the CHUCK ball at https://www.gammasports.com/

Watch the biggest team pickleball event in history. It's The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship December 13-15.

Watch it here: @TheDinkPickleball 

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Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

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

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

0:00 I was hoping to win a car at the PPA Finals

4:25 Making things official with the PPA

8:50 Comparing the Vulcan ball to the Dura

11:06 What do you miss about the APP Tour?

13:00 Life as a paddle free agent

16:33 Are you competitive with twin brother Yates?

18:54 Thoughts on the Finals format

22:00 What contributes to Tyson McGuffin's longevity?

24:45 Paddles providing a 20% boost to some players

28:05 The difference with Paddletek’s core

31:38 Power ranking the top 5 in men’s singles

38:36 The role of Coach Hunter

40:21 The strategy to build a full pickleball career and crypto talk

44:05 The post-tournament routine with Parris and Yates

45:55 Do you put weight at the bottom of your paddle?

51:17 Weight distribution for singles and doubles

53:52 Hunter and Zane are going to play straight up

56:13 Throwing it back to Hilton Head with Altaf Merchant

58:45 Thomas Wilson’s health update

1:04:04 SorryNotSorry unloading on Instagram

1:06:31 Look who beat Ben and Collin 69-0

1:08:54 Guess my DUPR powered by Mitopure

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If you ask Chat GPT who the number 1 player in India is, it will tell you the triple crown champion Armaan Bhatia. He is leading the pickleball revolution in India and will influence how the game develops as factions compete in the newest version of tour wars.

Meet Mitopure® the only clinically validated, highly pure Urolithin A supplement. Use code DINK at checkout for 10% off your order. https://www.timeline.com/dink

Use code DINK10 to save 10% off the CHUCK ball at https://www.gammasports.com/

Watch the biggest team pickleball event in history. It's The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship December 13-15 in St. Louis, MO. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDinkPickleball

Create your own The Dink Minor Leagues event here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/bec208e8a148b8ed4eb36889404fd9fa?r=use1

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

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

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

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

0:00 From 3.5 to 6.2 in one year

2:38 Who’s the best pickleball player in India?

7:23 What was your first exposure to pickleball?

10:41 What is the pickleball landscape today?

14:43 Is pickleball taking over tennis infrastructure

15:20 Popular paddle brands in India

23:06 Pickleball on top of Antilia

27:14 The most influential players in the game

31:23 The next frontier of tour wars

37:15 Making the most of a trip to the US

42:48 Zane’s take on the MLP Finals loss

51:21 ALW and Will absent from the trophy presentation

53:49 Would you rather win a PPA Gold or MLP title?

58:39 Armaan comes from a family of athletes

1:00:57 Guess my DUPR powered by Mitopure

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The podcast Gaunlet at the World Championships in Dallas gave us more guests than we could squeeze into one episode. Part two is out now and features:

- Connor Pardoe sharing battle stories from inside of the Tour Wars

- Grayson Godin and Hanna Blatt talk about breaking through in pro pickleball in 2024 and playing mixed doubles with a significant other

- Travis Rettenmaier explaining his journey to becoming MLP’s Jackie Moon and new investors joining the Florida Smash team

Save $25 on Proton Paddles with code THEDINK exclusively at pickleballcentral.com

Want to own a piece of the pickleball growth? The Pickleball Club is now accepting investors. Learn more at https://www.thepickleballclub.us/invest/

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Create your own The Dink Minor Leagues event here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/bec208e8a148b8ed4eb36889404fd9fa?r=use1

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

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

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

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

0:00 Intro

1:12 Grayson Goldin and Hannah Blatt join

4:34 Going under contract and making content

9:00 Playing mixed with your significant other

13:49 Grayson’s Bitcoin experiment

17:54 Hannah’s successful squash beginnings

22:20 Travis Rettenmaier joins the pod

25:02 Travis is the ‘Florida man’ and Graham updates

29:17 Where does a solo Ben Johns rank playing Challenger doubles?

32:45 Zane’s secret 2vs1 strategy

36:50 What’s next for the Florida Smash?

41:52 Appreciation for Travis letting it rip

47:02 Connor Pardoe joins the pod

51:27 Finally moving forward after the merger

53:28 Addressing rumors of killing MLP

56:08 Decentralizing MLP events

59:01 The Black Diamonds winning financially

1:00:40 Rehashing the struggles of the tour wars

1:05:50 Happy that the merger happened

1:08:45 What are the next big steps for PPA/MLP?

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Michael Loyd took out some of the biggest names in the game on the World Championship stage. The 21-seed topped Ben Johns, JW Johnson, and Quang Duong in three consecutive days. Based on DUPR, he had a 1% chance to escape the round of 16.

We talked about how he devised a winning strategy and how an attitude change has let him be himself on the court.

Meet Mitopure® the only clinically validated, highly pure Urolithin A supplement. Use code DINK at checkout for 10% off your order. https://www.timeline.com/dink

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Create your own The Dink Minor Leagues event here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/bec208e8a148b8ed4eb36889404fd9fa?r=use1

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

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

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

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

0:00 Ben Johns was scared to play me

6:50 Michael’s change in mindset was key

8:44 Most tats outside of Tyson

13:30 Avoiding the letdown match

16:37 Most surprised by the Quang upset

21:08 Are you doing anything different with your game

26:41 Is Riley Newman back?

31:23 Quang and CJ upset the Johns bros

36:11 The Gabe Tardio trajectory

38:27 Travis can ‘win that one on my deathbed’

39:35 Foot fault review escalated in 25-minute review

46:55 Travis stands on principle - looks like 40yr old Loyd

49:15 Is Kate Fahey a clear No. 2?

51:25 The Girlies won in straights - do we have a rivalry?

55:30 Would we ever see a Jorja/ALW partnership?

59:03 How did you like playing MLP?

1:04:11 The Arizona Pickleball League experience

1:08:27 Guess my DUPR

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It was a reunion at the UPA World Championships. Zane and Thomas caught up with some of the biggest personalities in the game including ‘Coach to the Stars’ Matt Manasse, Kamryn Blackwood, Tyler Loong, Jimmy Miller, and Greg Dow.

Together they cover how paddles are providing an unfair boost to some players, a review of the MLP season, and predict what the future of the game is going to look like.

If you’re ready to elevate your game, check out MUEV at https://muevbrand.com/?utm_source=TheDink&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Nov24 and join the MUEVMENT today. Save 30% during the holiday season with code DINK30.

Want to own a piece of the pickleball growth? The Pickleball Club is now accepting investors. Learn more at https://www.thepickleballclub.us/invest/

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Create your own The Dink Minor Leagues event here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/bec208e8a148b8ed4eb36889404fd9fa?r=use1

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

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-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

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

0:00 Are there crossover PicklePod/KOTC fans?

2:19 Jimmy coming after The 5’s

4:45 First team all annoying MLP

5:18 Beefing with Jim Kloss on X

11:59 Logging DUPR matches

12:55 Who’s getting dropped from the Premier teams

16:26 How has the MLP brand performed since the merger?

19:36 Are there still complaints about the Gen 2 Vulcan PRO Flight?

22:20 Players leaning on paddle tech to help their game

25:10 Conflicts of interest in pro pickleball

27:24 Greg Dow cameo and monologue

30:08 Zane plays better when he’s angry

31:41 Thomas’ didn’t get the invite back to pros vs 5.0s

35:04 Greg joins the show for real this time

38:37 Greg Dow’s relocation and relationship

41:52 The people love Dow in the booth

47:40 Kamryn Blackwood and Matt Manasse join the pod

51:02 Pickleball Coach to the Stars’ Oh Sh*t moment

53:05 Do you do a lot of homework on each player

55:35 We need to ask the hard questions

58:19 Zane wants to interview the losers of a match

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Dave Fleming has been dubbed 'The Voice of Pickleball' and we put that name to the test by trying out some new catchphrases. We dissect new stats that reveal what you should be choosing at the coin toss and why getting out to an early lead is more important than ever.

Meet Mitopure® the only clinically validated, highly pure Urolithin A supplement. Use code DINK at checkout for 10% off your order. https://www.timeline.com/dink

Want to own a piece of the pickleball growth? The Pickleball Club is now accepting investors. Learn more at https://www.thepickleballclub.us/invest/

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Create your own The Dink Minor Leagues event here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/bec208e8a148b8ed4eb36889404fd9fa?r=use1

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

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

0:00 Dave Fleming ‘The Voice of Pickleball’

4:30 Are paddles too hot? Is that bad for the TV product?

11:30 What is the best route to govern the serve?

17:27 What happens after a pro event

26:02 Do you practice your catchphrases?

28:37 Zane’s takes on commentary

34:11 Pickleball needs a ‘Manningcast’

37:52 Dave tries out new catchphrases

43:20 Dave’s involvement as the Carolina GM

50:32 Addressing tanking allegations

53:57 How do you coach the best in the world?

56:41 Predictions for the playoffs?

1:03:30 THe data Dave wants to see in the broadcast

1:09:20 Starting fast vs slow according to data

1:11:01 Data around the first serve and better side

1:15:15 The players with the most pickles

1:21:40 Benefitting from the progression draw

1:23:38 Guess My DUPR powered by Mitopure

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Christian Alshon is the special guest on a new PicklePod. We dive into Alshon's Twitter battle with James Blake, Nick Kyrgios, and the rest of the tennis world.

Alshon shares why tensions have been high between him and the Johns bros at recent PPA events. He also explains his plans for creating content while competing at the highest level.

Want to own a piece of the pickleball growth? The Pickleball Club is now accepting investors. Learn more at https://www.thepickleballclub.us/invest/

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Create your own The Dink Minor Leagues event here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/bec208e8a148b8ed4eb36889404fd9fa?r=use1

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

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

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-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

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

0:00 The ‘villain’ that pickleball needs

4:22 What does the real Christian look like?

7:24 Will Howells is the new bad boy of pickleball

9:26 Alshon’s Twitter battle vs big tennis

17:19 James Blake challenged Alshon to a racquet vs hands match

24:20 Christian weighed the pro tennis option

28:55 Transferring to a better academic school

34:22 The beef vs the Johns bros

40:04 Running into Matt Wright on a bad day

41:48 One for the conspiracy theorists

44:20 Missing MLP Vegas with the Texas Ranchers

48:19 Alshon’s knee injury and MLP under fire

53:32 The content creation game

56:02 Christian’s first vlog

1:00:09 Breaking down pro pickleball matches

1:05:44 Christian’s take on the state of paddles

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Donald Young made a historic run to the U.S. Open mixed doubles finals in his final pro tennis tournament ever. At the nation's biggest tennis event, the topic of conversation was pickleball.

On this week's PicklePod, Young breaks down what that event meant to him, the lifestyle difference between tennis and pickleball, and the tips that have helped him compete at the highest level.

Want to own a piece of the pickleball growth? The Pickleball Club is now accepting investors. Learn more at https://www.thepickleballclub.us/invest/

Save $25 on Proton Paddles with code THEDINK exclusively at pickleballcentral.com

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Create your own The Dink Minor Leagues event here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/bec208e8a148b8ed4eb36889404fd9fa?r=use1

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

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

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

0:00 Donald Young made the most of his final tennis event

5:39 Reactions to the ‘Pickleball Pro makes US Open Final’ graphic

9:07 Making money in tennis vs pickleball

13:04 Donald’s early appearance at the 2022 Atlanta Open

14:41 What is your training regiment?

16:12 The backhand flick is the last thing for tennis players

18:23 No one clobbers a forehand like Donald Young

21:38 Message to all tennis players outside of the top 100

22:40 Donald Young’s new facility in Atlanta

29:18 If not pickleball, what would you be doing?

33:02 Donald did a YouTube crash course to improve at pickleball

39:13 What is your experience in MLP

42:34 Should there be more singles in MLP?

46:24 How Donald landed on Team Proton

51:13 UPA-A certification plans for 2025

55:30 Donald wants more spin, less power

1:01:20 PPA Virginia Beach Timeout Gate

1:08:40 Donald’s experience at the Bubbly Championships

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Kaitlyn Kerr shares her journey from pickleball superfan to MLP team owner. She helped assemble the Las Vegas Night Owls and is now focused on growing something that no one can take away from her.

Kaitlyn weighs in on the gender disparity in the leadership of the sport and shares her plans to carve out a bigger spot for women in the game. Catch the premiere now!

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Create your own The Dink Minor Leagues event here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/bec208e8a148b8ed4eb36889404fd9fa?r=use1

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

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

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

4:07 The start of @thepickleball.chick

8:28 Kaitlyn focusing on her personal brand now

13:57 It’s hard to go pro in New Jersey

17:30 How do you put together an ownership group?

21:00 Is Tom Brady still active in ownership?

26:39 The game is taking Kaitlyn around the world

31:56 What amateur players can offer potential sponsors

38:12 What does a GM do in MLP?

43:58 There’s only 1 female GM in MLP

45:32 Drafting at the challenger level

53:33 Analyzing MLP trades after NYC

1:00:23 Waiver predictions for the Challenger Level

1:08:12 One match to make it to the Premier Level

1:09:54 A REAL ATHLETE on the court

1:15:25 Anna Leigh Waters is stil 1 of 1

1:20:27 Why is there less female representation

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You know you've made it in pickleball when they change a rule because of you. Will Howells’ performance at MLP NYC was one of the reasons a new rule was in place days after the event.

Learn how Will has adopted pickleball after a tennis career at Notre Dame, find out who is behind the Will Howells fan page on IG, and hear all about The 5s experience in the Big Apple.

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Create your own The Dink Minor Leagues event here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/bec208e8a148b8ed4eb36889404fd9fa?r=use1

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

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

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

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

0:00 The Will Howells fan page

2:31 Did Will think he’d go premier?

6:36 How do you decide where to play?

8:35 “All serves all legal”

12:00 New serve rules for Virginia Beach

14:30 The most annoying team in MLP

22:39 The 75 percent rule

27:10 What’s clicking for Will and Zane?

37:47 Guess my DUPR

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