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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.

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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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