PicklePod

Latest Episodes:

Zane Navratil Won a PPA Gold in Barcelona. Nobody Saw It Coming. Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

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

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#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa

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

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-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/

-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

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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

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The 15 Seed That Beat Ben Johns Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

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

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

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#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

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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

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We Texted Ben Johns for Episode 200 Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

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

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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

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Christian Alshon Blamed Singles. Ben Johns Got Pickled. Anna Leigh Lost. Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

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?

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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

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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

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Anna Leigh Waters: 'Sometimes I Question Myself' | Full Interview Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

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

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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?

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The Most Unfair Team in MLP History Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

The most chaotic, electric MLP finals yet gave us the league’s defining rivalry, a controversial game-ending fault, and Federico Staksrud celebrating like he’d just survived a war. If you care about the future of pickleball - or just love a good sports meltdown - this is the episode to hear.

Nico and Zane break down the New Jersey Fives’ championship run in Central Park, where the crowd, the clowns, and the pressure all felt bigger than the court itself. They unpack why the venue was both iconic and flawed, how the rollout courts got worse as the weekend went on, and why those conditions may have changed key points in the semifinals and finals.

You’ll hear the full breakdown of the St. Louis Shock vs. New Jersey Fives title match, including the matchpoint controversy that ended the Brooklyn semifinal, the tactical swings in men’s and mixed, and the insane fact that every player went 1-1 across the two-day series. They also dig into the chaos around crowd energy, the ethics of heckling, and whether the Fives’ fan culture is a competitive advantage or a line-crossing spectacle.

Nico and Zane also get into the biggest question coming out of the weekend - does Anna Leigh Waters need an MLP title for her legacy, or has she already entered untouchable territory? They compare her dominance to Messi, debate her value in a team draft, and explain why her championship moment felt inevitable even before the trophy was handed out.

🏓 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

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00:00 Intro and MLP Finals atmosphere

5:16 Nico’s favorite part of the Finals

9:08 Roll out courts cost match points

12:25 Has MLP outgrown Central Park?

17:29 Nico becomes a Dallas Flash Ambassador

19:56 Brooklyn vs The Fives

26:06 New Jersey’s clowns pushing the limits

37:29 Was this the best finals?

44:53 Zane shares news about his future

49:27 Did ALW need an MLP title on her resume?

57:56 Nico can’t Erne

1:02:31 Drafting the best rivalries in pickleball

1:09:17 All MLP Awards for 2026

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Anna Leigh Waters vs Anna Bright for the MLP Title? One Might Not Make It. Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Brooklyn is the team nobody wants to draw, New Jersey may have made the wrong pick, and St. Louis looks like a machine built to steamroll the bracket. If you care about the MLP playoff picture, this is the episode that makes the whole weekend feel bigger.

Nico and Zane break down the biggest decisions heading into New York, including the shocking New Jersey vs. Brooklyn matchup choice, whether lineup changes are coming, and why the Shock, Fives, and Flash all have very different paths to the title. They also rank every possible finals matchup and explain which championship pairing would be electric, which would be a letdown, and why this postseason could finally deliver the rivalry pickleball has been waiting for.

Then Grayson Goldin joins the show for one of the most powerful comeback stories in pro pickleball. Six months after suffering two strokes and losing his ability to speak, Grayson returns to the court and wins gold in Shenzhen, describing the fear, the recovery, the rehab, and the mental battle behind getting his game and his voice back.

🏆 Enter to win the new Tesla Aurum paddle from Selkirk https://giveaway.thedinkpickleball.com/

💊 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

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00:00 Intro

3:49 The Super Bowl of Pickleball

6:41 New Jersey chooses Brooklyn over Dallas

15:27 Will NJ change lineups?

19:28 St Louis Shock vs Dallas Flash

25:30 Breaking down the matchups

33:37 Championship odds by team

44:09 Guess my DUPR

49:14 Grayson shares the story of his two strokes

1:03:52 Spending a week in the hospital

1:09:35 Living life to the fullest

1:15:52 The recovery process

1:21:58 Competing in Asia

1:30:18 Nobody can hang when I’m playing my best

1:42:48 The world's fastest serve

1:50:47 The best feelings in pickleball draft

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Ben Johns Is Out. Anna Leigh Waters Is Wobbling. Now What? Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

The singles specialist era may have died this weekend. Dreambreakers, lineup decisions, and one jaw-dropping run of 17 straight points exposed what actually wins in MLP playoffs right now: rhythm, confidence, and clutch under pressure. Zane and Nico break down the wildest playoff weekend yet, including the LA Mad Drops' Dreambreaker collapse, Ben Johns' stunning 0-2 day and 17-point skid, and why Sam Parker's spot in the lineup became the center of a bigger debate about whether pure singles skill still matters in team pickleball. They also dig into Dallas Flash's surge, the trade that sent Tyra Black for Danni Townsend, and whether Dallas just proved they won the deal in real time. 👕 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 ------------------ 00:00 Intro 4:20 The death of the singles specialist 9:23 Ben Johns goes 0-2 12:14 Was Dallas the right pick? 17:38 The 5s survive 26:53 Zane defends Will Howells 31:34 Danni Townsend exceeding all expectations 42:56 Shock deliver the beat down 44:55 Mt Rushmore of pickleball beefs 55:57 Brooklyn vs Columbus

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Zane Owns The Scream: "I Lost My Mind" Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Zane screamed at Casey Diamond and the internet had thoughts. We're not letting it slide — Zane walks through exactly what happened in the Palm Beach playoff match, whether he regrets it, and where the line on screaming actually is (spoiler: he found it by crossing it). Then we read the meanest comments the internet had for him, rank pickleball's biggest beefs, debate the Memes of Pickleball controversy, break down every MLP playoff series and the seeding picks, and draft fast food items to build an MLP team. Stick around to the end. Cameron Boltes joins us to share the story of his son Solomon and the memorial pickleball courts being built in his honor in eastern North Carolina. It's the most important pickleball project in the country right now, donate or share if you can.

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Zane: "This Is My Favorite Pickleball Moment Ever" Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Zane and Nico are joined by California Black Bears star Zoey Weil to break down the best MLP event of the season — MLP Orlando. They relive the Dream Breaker for the ages between the Chicago Slice and Black Bears, where 13-year-old Elsie Hendershot saved match point and clinched the win to end California's season and keep Chicago's playoff hopes alive.

Plus: the debate over player-GMs setting lineups, whether the Black Bears mortgaged their future for a 12-seed run, MLP's salary cap/floor future, Zane's wedding controversy, an MVP and Rookie of the Year debate, Guess My DUPR, and a Disney movie draft.

Nico and Zane will be back later this week with a full MLP Playoffs preview — subscribe so you don't miss it.

🏓 Enter to win the new Jellybean 2 paddle: http://giveaway.thedinkpickleball.com/

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

📩 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

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0:00 Intro

2:43 Setting the stage: Chicago Slice vs. Black Bears win-or-go-home

4:37 How Chicago scouted Zoey & Sahra Dennehy

7:58 Elsie Hendershot's mixed doubles heroics

9:59 Dream Breaker: saved match points and the finish

12:41 Wanting the ball at 22-22: what makes Elsie different

17:29 Should player-GMs be setting lineups?

24:28 Did the Black Bears mortgage their future for a 12-seed run?

28:29 The tennis-background generation & Black Bears' 2027 outlook

31:14 Salary cap/floor and "buying" a championship

41:38 Dylan Frazier's trade chaos & Zane's wedding controversy

52:31 New Jersey 5s' new-look lineup: Federico, Jorja & Will Howells

1:03:12 Shock vs. Fives: the mental edge heading into the final

1:09:19 Is the Fives' super-team a "bought" championship?

1:16:49 Best MLP event ever? Orlando vs. St. Pete vs. Central Park

1:24:14 Grandstand vs. Center Court sound bleed

1:28:06 Quick playoff bracket rundown

1:28:36 MVP debate: Danni-Elle Townsend, JW Johnson, Jackie Kawamoto, Kate Fahey

1:33:43 Rookie of the Year vs. Most Improved

1:38:21 Guess My DUPR

1:41:30 Disney movie draft

1:49:09 Wrap-up & what's next

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