Augie Ge’s unique entry into pickleball had an unfortunate beginning but became a blessing in disguise. After losing his biostatistics job, Ge went all-in and pro pickleball.

His own brand of obscure drills and tennis/ping pong background have led him to a PPA Silver Medal, MLP Premier Level, and an Arizona Pickleball League title.

Ready to wield something as bold as your backhand? Swing by Warstic’s collection and let your paddle do the talking. https://warstic.com/collections/pickleball-paddles

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

0:00 Introducing Augie Ge

4:24 Augie’s blessing in disguise

9:18 Early pro days and Zane’s wedding

13:10 The social bump after good results and salary talk

17:55 Credit to HeyShay

21:47 AZ Pickleball League influence

25:41 The Silver Medal run with Jaume in NC

27:51 Power ranking the lefties and

30:56 Unorthodox training methods and unique wall drills

34:04 Do you train grip changes?

38:11 Table tennis crossover and extra emphasis on the volleys

41:46 Augie’s win over Zane

46:14 MLP Forecast for the DPC

49:20 Augie’s college tennis experience and April schedule

54:10 ALW’s dominance and 100th title

1:00:02 Do you watch when not playing?

1:01:40 Voicemails

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Newly appointed GM of the Texas Ranchers, Ryan Dawidjan, joins the pod. The guys grade and analyze all of the MLP teams following the draft.

The Ranchers' first pick Christian Alshon has started a Twitter feud. The guys discuss how the back and forth shook out and a new possible on-court challenge between Alshon and James Blake.

Ready to wield something as bold as your backhand? Swing by Warstic’s collection and let your paddle do the talking.

Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at [email protected] to apply.

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

0:00 Introducing Ryan Dawidjan

6:30 Ryan’s draft experience

8:17 How do you prep in just 48 hours?

14:30 Factoring in growth potential

18:58 Seattle Pioneers

25:02 New Jersey 5’s

30:01 Humberg and Howells

35:07 St. Louis Shock

37:04 Columbus Sliders

40:52 AZ Drive

45:39 NY Hustlers

52:51 Texas Ranchers

59:17 Christian Alshon’s Twitter Feud

1:03:04 Alshon vs Blake hypothetical

1:09:30 DC Pickleball Team

1:10:20 LA Mad Drops

1:11:23 Orlando Squeeze and wedding talk

1:14:03 Dallas Pickleball Club

1:16:30 Utah Black Diamonds

1:18:44 Premier Level snubs

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Zane recaps his big weekend at the Austin Open and how the conditions were right for a Johns upset. Pickleball United CEO Pranav Kohli stops by to explain the Pickleball World Series. The new international tour is set to kick off in 2025 and offers some of the largest prize pools in pickleball history.

Use code DINK10 to save 10% on the new CHUCK pickleball from GAMMA at http://gammasports.com/

Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at [email protected] to apply.

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

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

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 Zane’s big weekend at the Rain Delay Open

5:20 Outlining the winning strategy

9:57 Upcoming pros vs 5.0s and a match vs the Klitchs

16:31 Collin’s scoop in game 2, carry or not

19:27 Play to your strengths with a new partner

24:30 Andrei’s hot streak and Christian’s ceiling

28:35 The curse of the PicklePod

32:34 MLP events overlap some APP events

34:27 Is the gap closing on Ben Johns?

37:14 Iggy on the hot seat and is Andrei #2

40:27 Is the APP vs PPA gap overstated? & Newman vs Wright

42:52 Proton paddles pushing the limits

48:10 Thomas’ rocketship paddle is on the way

51:04 New Vulcan balls in Austin

53:31 Listener questions

56:48 Secret patterns that the pros talk about

59:53 Introducing Pickleball World Series

1:04:45 What makes the World Series different

1:11:57 How is the Times Group involved?

1:15:50 Finals at MSG or the Sphere

1:19:38 What are you working on now?

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What’s it like to be the world’s best player at just 17 years old? Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters join a very special edition of the PicklePod to give you a look behind the curtain.

They share some insane fan stories including groups of fans tracking them down at the airport. Finally, Anna Leigh explains how to hit one of her most dangerous shots.

Save 10% on the new Airbender paddle from GAMMA with code DINK10 at gammasports.com

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

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

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 Anna Leigh’s car collection

6:17 The pressure of being number 1

11:40 Partnership helps the mother-daughter relationship

16:00 ALW fandom reaches new heights

19:10 Tennis world recognizes the Waters

22:50 An average day of training

26:49 Adapting to paddle technology

32:15 Anna Leigh’s new paddle

36:39 Is Leigh Waters back?

42:49 Net worth rumors and sponsorship deals

48:12 Lessons from lob-gate

53:35 The pressure to win and the Tyra Black match

1:02:34 Innovating with the Happy Gilmore Serve

1:04:31 Anna Leigh’s two-handed backhand

1:08:10 RV life and ALW’s ‘bodyguard’

1:13:20 Rapid fire questions

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Jimmy Miller from the King of the Court podcast joins the pod to break down the merger aftermath. The MLP season can finally get underway but there are still a few loose ends to tie up.

A couple players have opted out of salary reductions or have been bought out of their contracts. That means we could see some top talent choosing not to compete in PPA or MLP events this year.

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To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

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 Intro

4:14 How Jimmy got on the inside

7:24 What’s the goal for Jimmy?

9:26 Vulcan Ball changes incoming

14:28 Feeding balls to Susan and wearing a Rolex

17:12 Background on the Tour Wars

24:05 Players offered and accepted buy-outs

29:23 Clinics threatened for those that don't take cuts

35:15 How would ProXR feel about Riley not playing tournaments?

39:45 Johnson 5 in no man’s land

42:55 MLP Draft planned for North Carolina - First event Miami?

49:26 Life as a GM

52:10 The Premier/Challenger split

55:48 Should every team be in the Premier Level?

1:05:50 Pros coming after Jimmy

1:19:15 The Gamemaker and new pickle sports

1:24:02 Jimmy needs a new scandal

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After a surprising upset in Mesa, Collin Johns is back on the PicklePod. He explains how the new Vulcan ball is affecting play and how the new serve rule has helped remove egregious faults from the game.

Collin recalls the few teams that have taken him and his brother Ben in the past three years and explains how those opponents were able to hand them an L. Learn what three drills CJ says are mandatory in an all-new episode.

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

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

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 Colin Johns intro

3:38 A little word association

5:45 Breaking news

9:30 Early life at the Johns household

13:29 The famous nut shot

15:49 Collin’s first match the eye protection

18:32 Bodybag or net cord?

21:14 The bookcase that made Ben’s backhand

29:46 Frankensteining - Stealing shots from other players

33:16 The impact of the Vulcan ball

41:10 The loss the Gabe Tardio/Andrei Daescu

48:47 What’s it take to beat the Johns bros

53:36 Only three drills allowed

59:27 Collin’s role on the player council

1:08:14 The year of the drop serve

1:11:26 Consulting and myth-busting

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Jaume Martinez Vich is the guest on an all-new episode of the PicklePod. From humble origins in Spain, Jaume has gone from Rafa Nadal's hitting partner to a DII Tennis National Champion and is now a top 10 pro pickleball player.

Learn more about Jaume's risky bet on himself to make it as a pickleball pro. He shares the details of how he fought for a performance-based contract and exceeded expectations.

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

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

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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-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

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

Show Notes

0:00 Geography pop quiz

3:30 The Road Warrior life

5:41 How did you get good in Hawaii?

8:53 The doubles game is already there

14:02 Improve while playing against weaker players

15:51 Jaume’s revenue streams and support system

19:00 How Jaume funded a pro career and bet on himself

24:35 Initial offers vs Jaume performance-based plan

31:43 Mainland home would be the next step

33:28 Jaume’s experience with an agent

37:09 The weight of social media on brand deals

46:11 Hitting partner with Rafa Nadal and Jaume’s family

50:46 Hayden crashes the party

53:31 The Top 5 Players you don’t want to see in a draw

58:30 Rank these three at the cat and mouse game

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Tom Webb, the Chief Marketing Officer at the APP sits down with Thomas and Zane to share a little of what the APP has been building in the shadows.

From international events to college championships and establishing a new headquarters in FL, the APP has been quietly making moves. Their goal is to share their brand of pickleball with the world and lay the foundation for the next generation.

We're giving away 10 FS Tour paddles. Enter the giveaway here:

https://giveaway.thedinkpickleball.com/franklin

Get 10% off the new Airbender paddle from Gamma Sports with promo code DINK10 at https://www.gammasports.com/pages/meet-chuck?utm_source=online&utm_campaign=chuck_launch&utm_id=The+Dink

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

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

Shop performance-driven comfort from Vuori https://vuoriclothing.com/thedink

Not only will you receive 20% off your first purchase, but enjoy free shipping on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns

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

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-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

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

Show Notes

0:00 Congrats to Zane

5:35 Dink Awards results and PickleBowl recap

12:27 Merger updates and rating system hold up

19:11 Players speak out after the Desert Ridge

24:35 Tom Webb from APP joins the pod

31:41 Not in competition with anyone

35:30 Pickleball’s internal struggles

39:11 Why pull back on streaming?

49:45 Going global, “When America sneezes…”

55:40 Top international markets

1:05:59 Preaching inclusivity over exclusivity

1:12:08 A whole new generation of talent coming

1:16:04 College pickleball taking off

1:21:25 Ken Herrmann keeping the Iced Tea vibes

1:25:20 Building under the APP umbrella

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The big man, Dekel Bar, steps into the PicklePod studio to get some things off his chest. Dekel is not a fan of the new serve rule and thinks it detracts from viewer friendly pickleball.

Zane and Dekel had an epic semifinal matchup and the Desert Ridge Open. We break down the hostile attacks and game-changing clips that made the match unforgettable.

Sign up to play at the Picklebowl '24 at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. https://www.inspiringchildren.org/vegas-pickle-bowl

Benefits go to the Inspiring Children Foundation.

We're giving away 10 Franklin FS Tour paddles. Enter the giveaway here:

https://giveaway.thedinkpickleball.com/franklin

Get 10% off the new CHUCK ball from Gamma Sports with promo code DINK10 at https://www.gammasports.com/pages/meet-chuck?utm_source=online&utm_campaign=chuck_launch&utm_id=The+Dink

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

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

Shop performance-driven comfort from Vuori https://vuoriclothing.com/thedink

Not only will you receive 20% off your first purchase, but enjoy free shipping on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns

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.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/

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-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

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

Show Notes

0:00 Dekel is in the house

3:00 Stats from ‘The Match’

13:00 Are bodybags and acceptable strategy?

22:58 Going to see more drives

24:46 Vulcan ball 'out of round'

28:09 Dekel’s thoughts on the new serve rule

33:30 You must challenge the toss before the third shot

39ish 40% of serve returns missed in tennis and ball conspiracy

44ish Neutralize a big serve

47:22 Results from the Desert Ridge Open

51:20 How were the crowds in Arizona?

53:30 ATP’s crush on SportsCenter

55:45 Liquidity tweet possibly cut

58:35 Escape room and the switch to Joola

1:01:00 Dekel’s Pickleball 360

1:04:33 More voicemails

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Zane and the boys get raucous in Austin for his bachelor party. He suffers the right of passage of the white rabbit run and falls asleep at a comedy club.

The PPA-MLP 'deadline' has officially passed but there are still questions unanswered. The guys discuss whether China prepping for Olympic supremacy should have pros concerned.

Sign up to play at the Picklebowl '24 at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. https://www.inspiringchildren.org/vegas-pickle-bowl

Benefits go to the Inspiring Children Foundation.

Dock tok https://www.docktok.com/

AreyoukiddingTV

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

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

Shop performance-driven comfort from Vuori https://vuoriclothing.com/thedink

Not only will you receive 20% off your first purchase, but enjoy free shipping on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns

Rep the latest in dink branded merch at https://repthedink.com/

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

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

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-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

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

Show Notes

0:00 Zane's Bachelor weekend

6:30 Napping at a comedy show

11:54 The Picklebowl 2024 at the Plaza Hotel & Casino

14:56 The MLP - PPA merger “deadline”

21:53 The buyout pickleball lottery

26:28 New serve rule still in play

31:48 JW, Dylan, and Jack Sock all missing from Desert Ridge

34:10 Riley and Thomas f*ing good

34:30 Zane walkout clip

37:01 Pat Smith suspended and possible players union

42:21 A deeper look at men’s singles

48:26 Women’s singles and Rohrabacher’s rise

51:44 Front Office Sports article - China wants to lead in pickleball

1:02:58 My DUPR just went up

1:04:31 Gambling in Pickleball

1:11:36 Addressing the viewership problem

1:16:34 SAN Question and voicemails

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