PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/

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PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/

Chaos in Minnesota, a brand-new singles court experiment, a potential “pickleball competitor” sport, and one of the wildest medical timeout moments we’ve seen on tour… this episode has it all.

Zane and Nico break down everything that went down at the PPA Minnesota Challenger, including huge upsets, the rise of 14-year-old phenom Cam Chaffin, and why the new narrowed singles court could fundamentally change the way singles pickleball is played. They also debate whether shrinking the court is the right solution, what the PPA is really trying to accomplish with singles, and if we’re headed toward a future with fewer (or no) triple crowns.

Plus, the guys react to the viral medical timeout involving Andre and Gabe, discuss the unwritten rules of being a good pickleball partner, unpack the buzz around the new sport “Tipti,” and hit Guess My Duper, Pickleball Court, and more.

If you like hot takes, rule debates, and behind-the-scenes pro tour stories, you’re in the right place.

👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments — should pickleball shrink the singles court?

Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK

Blue Cannatine from Troscriptions is designed to support the mental and physical flow state that pickleball players chase: focused, responsive, smooth, and adaptable — without jitters, crashes, or chaos. Try it today at https://troscriptions.com/dink

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

0:00 Intro

4:02 The next ‘chubby’ singles court

10:35 A different ball for singles

16:10 Typti is gaining momentum

21:15 Everybody was sick in Minnesota

23:47 Pickleball Court - Abusing the medical timeout

28:04 Unwritten rules for good partners

33:19 Using Pickleball Survivor theory to weed out the cheaters

40:22 14yo Camden Chaffin’s breakout weekend

46:06 Alshon & Black win and break up

57:04 Arnold’s paddle throw lands in the crowd

1:05:54 Blind ranking iconic crashouts

1:09:30 Mean comments and Guess My DUPR

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PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/

This week on The PicklePod, we’re joined by pro pickleball player Blaine Hovenier for a wide-ranging episode packed with tour stories, hot takes, and behind-the-scenes chaos from the Masters.

Zane and Nico break down everything that went down at the Masters—from heated on-court moments and crowd chirping, to new paddle deals shaking up the pro scene. Blaine shares stories from competing at the highest level, what it’s like adjusting to new partnerships, and why high-variance pickleball might be the only way to challenge the top teams.

The crew also dives deep into Major League Pickleball’s new format, including substitutions, expanded playoffs, and whether singles specialists are about to change the Dreambreaker forever. Plus, Nico relives the painful moment he realized he missed an email that could’ve made him an MLP GM.

Other topics include:

- New paddle deals and which switches actually mattered

- Whether Ben Johns wins another singles gold

- Jack Sock’s ceiling in pro pickleball

- Anna Leigh Waters’ dominance (and who could possibly stop her)

- The lob serve debate 🔥

- Minnesota weather, rental car danger, and elite sideline vibes

It’s part pickleball analysis, part story time, and fully unfiltered.

Like, subscribe, and welcome to PicklePod 2.0.

Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK

Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/

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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

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

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

0:00 Nico’s weather report

5:13 MLP’s new rule rollout

10:59 Tournaments are back in MLP

17:23 Blaine inks deal with Six Zero

19:35 New paddles debuted at Masters

21:41 Early round action for team Blaine/Zane

26:46 The high percentage strategy against Ben

33:24 Jack Sock almost broke Nico

38:18 ALW’s 40 triple crown

42:55 Is the lob serve here to stay?

46:10 Pros vs the weather in Minnesota

58:38 Pickleball court bodybag edition

1:08:29 The comments section is lit

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PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/

On this episode of The PicklePod, we break down the biggest story in the sport right now: Anna Leigh Waters signing with Nike—why it’s bigger than any paddle deal, what it means for the PPA, and how it could completely reshape pickleball’s place in pop culture. Is she officially the face of the sport? And who’s actually happier about the deal than Anna Leigh herself?

Plus, Nico returns for episode two and wastes zero time making enemies. We dive into bold 2026 over/under predictions, including:

- Will Ben Johns ever win another singles gold?

- How many matches will Anna Leigh actually lose this year?

- Are contract terminations finally slowing down?

- Can Jack Sock (or any former tennis star) win a PPA title?

We also react to YouTube and Twitter comments roasting the show, debate pickleball media beefs, preview the Masters, blind-rank the best tournaments in the world, and somehow end up talking about fist fights, venison sticks, and why pickleball Twitter might be the worst place on the internet.

As always, it’s pickleball analysis you won’t hear anywhere else—equal parts hot takes, insider perspective, and chaos.

👇 Drop your takes in the comments

👍 Like & subscribe for weekly pickleball chaos

Like, subscribe, and welcome to PicklePod 2.0.

Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK

Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

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

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

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

0:00 Intro

3:12 Vote for Viral Moment of the Year

6:27 Anna Leigh Waters signs with Franklin/Nike

9:29 Nico faces his critics

16:43 Anna Bright mixed doubles partner count

21:14 Ben Johns' last singles gold

23:31 Termination count in 2026

29:11 Tennis players can’t close the gap

32:50 Will ALW lose at all this year

41:50 Gino the Righty claps back

44:35 Blind ranking battle

53:51 Rumors surrounding APP

1:00:29 Pickleball court case #2

1:09:44 Zane digs for kind comments

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Welcome to the first PicklePod episode of 2026 — and we’re kicking off the new year with a full reboot presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/

This episode marks the debut of PicklePod 2.0, featuring a refreshed format, new segments, and a new voice behind the mic as Nico the Lefty officially joins the show. Thomas Shields is back, Zane Navratil is firing off takes, and things get unhinged fast.

🔥 What’s in this episode:

- Guess My DUPR returns as we break down Nico the Lefty’s game (lazy footwork, elite hands, and all)

- The entire pickleball world reacts to Anna Leigh Waters’ paddle situation — Franklin, JOOLA, PaddleTek, or something bigger?

- Is this pickleball’s first-ever eight-figure paddle deal?

- Who actually moves paddles in 2026: pros, reviewers, or creators?

- Major paddle movement news: Dekel Barr, Gabe Tardio, international brands entering the space, and what it means for pros

- Why some paddle companies fear reviewers more than losing top players

- A full 2025 Pickleball Year in Review — who really won the year?

- Has pro pickleball officially matured, or are breakout stars still coming?

Plus: new segments, new beef, sponsor reads that somehow turn into hot takes, and plenty of PicklePod nonsense you’ve come to expect.

👇 Drop a comment and tell us:

- Who actually moves paddles in pickleball?

- Did MLP or UPA win 2025?

- Is Nico really a 5.0… or nah?

Like, subscribe, and welcome to PicklePod 2.0.

Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK

Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

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

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

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

0:00 Introducing Nico the Lefty

4:05 Guess my DUPR returns

11:06 Nico's origin story

16:15 The Anna Leigh Waters paddle sweepstakes

29:38 More paddle signings to start the year

42:39 Who won 2025?

50:36 Pickleball reaching maturity in pro competition

58:44 Pickleball Court - Request Denied

1:07:16 What are you looking forward to in 2026?

1:13:13 Go vote in the Dink Awards

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The PicklePod closes out the year with a wide-ranging look at the stories that will shape pro pickleball in 2026.

This episode breaks down what actually mattered at PPA Daytona, why the Jorja Johnson–Anna Lee Waters discourse has gone off the rails, and how recency bias continues to distort conversations around Anna Bright. We also look at emerging singles talent, including former tennis players making legitimate career moves into pickleball—and what that means for the competitive landscape next season.

- On the business and governance side, we unpack:

- The latest UPA contract fallout involving Ignatovich, Fu, and Glozman

- Why an appeal likely isn’t the real endgame

- The motivations behind the “You Can’t Trust a Fake” counterfeit paddle campaign

- The official ProXR–PaddleTek merger and what it signals for paddle innovation and pricing

You’ll also hear updates on:

- DUPR’s new expected score system

- The full 2025 Major League Pickleball schedule, including Junior MLP and Disney World

- Thomas recovering his infamous Tesla-Selkirk paddle

- Early thoughts on nominations for the 2025 Dink Awards

There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order.

Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK

Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

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

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

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

0:00 Intro

2:23 PPA Daytona Recap

7:09 New beef between Jorja and Jessie?

9:36 Who is the better fit to partner with ALW?

15:53 The Anna Bright vs Thomas match

18:05 DUPR now shows predicted match score

19:49 Can’t trust a fake campaign

23:24 ProXR and PaddleTek merger

25:06 MLP is headed to Disney World

28:12 Ignatowich & Co appeal termination

31:11 Zane makes his Dink Awards nominations

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This episode of the Picklepod is absolute chaos—in the best way possible.

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This week, Zane is joined by The Dink’s own Alex Weaver for a deep-dive into one of the wildest and fastest-growing problems in pickleball: counterfeit paddles flooding the market.

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This week on the PicklePod, Zane and Tice dive into one of the wildest slates of global pickleball we’ve had in a while — even if half of it was nearly impossible to find online. We break down tournaments in Vietnam, Australia, and China, plus look ahead to the biggest December events in the pickleball world.

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This week on the PicklePod, Zane and Tice break down one of the wildest weekends of pickleball we’ve seen all year. The Lakeland Open delivered everything—controversial calls, insane comebacks, breakout stars, near meltdowns, and another dominant run from the tour’s heavy hitters.

We kick things off with Part 2 of last week’s viral Create-a-Player Draft, where Zane and Tice build the ultimate women’s pickleball player. 11 categories. No duplicate picks. Maximum trash talk. The community demanded a rematch…and Tice wants revenge.

From there, the guys get into all the biggest stories:

Lakeland Open Chaos

– The now-infamous Roscoe/Hunter match point controversy

– Luca Mack’s eye-opening semifinal run

– Noe's first PPA medal

– The 17-point swing that shocked the men’s doubles bracket

Nationals Recap

– Jill Braverman's viral line call

– Why a $225K event ran with no replays

– PK’s first singles title

• Global Pickleball Politics

– The WPF, GPF, UWPF alphabet soup explained

– What a potential merger means for the Olympics

– Why governing bodies matter more than people realize

Lakers Pickleball Tournament

– Yes… the Lakers ran their own pickleball event

– Luka Dončić credits pickleball for slimming down

– Why NBA players might be the worst body type for dinking

• Debate of the Week:

If Ben and Anna Leigh were forced to split up in 2026… who wins more mixed titles?

Zane and Tice go deep on the chessboard of future partnerships.

👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world.

There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order.

Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12 pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK

Discover plant-based wellness support from Trulieve https://www.trulieve.com/?utm_medium=...

Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

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

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

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

0:00 Intro

1:56 Build a Women’s Player

13:39 Quick hits Carmel-by-the-sea + International merger

19:58 Jilly B’s controversial call

22:23 Nationals winners and Zane’s son

27:25 PPA Lakeland recap

34:13 Hunter vs Roscoe and the controversial net cord

46:33 Ben vs ALW hypothetical split

53:03 Women’s doubles and men’s match of the weekend

57:50 Luka and the Lakers host a pickleball tournament

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