JW Johnson Passed Ben Johns on DUPR. Here's How.

Zane’s Worlds run included a surprise qualifier, a rolled ankle, and a referee with some confusing challenge rules. Nico had a 20-minute score dispute—and witnessed J-Dub and Tama pull off a huge comeback. The Pickle Pod is back with a post-Worlds recap, hot takes on the top players, and a big announcement: Zane’s farewell episode is next week. Nico and Zane break down the matches, argue about court etiquette, debate Ben Johns’ lefty forehands, and revisit your comments. Plus, Guess My DUPR and the return of the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord. In this episode: - Zane’s unexpected Worlds qualifier and tournament experience - Court challenges, refereeing, and whether pros should get warm-up courts - Nico’s dramatic Moneyball score dispute - J-Dub and Tama’s comeback—and the crowd reaction - Who’s playing the best men’s pickleball right now? - Jack Sock, John Lucian Goins, and the tennis-to-pickleball debate - Sophia Sewing’s big week and the women’s doubles shake-up - Ben Johns’ lefty forehands: serious strategy or just messing around? - Guess My DUPR and your comments - Zane announces his last Pickle Pod episode 💥 Boomstik ST giveaway ends Nov. 10 at 11:59 p.m. EST, so enter now at giveaway.thedinkpickleball.com. Good luck! 👉 Go to marekhealth.com/bfcm26/early-access and use code THEDINK to take advantage of Marek Health’s Black Friday deal. (New clients only. Rx by provider. Full terms at marekhealth.com/bfcmterms26.) Guess My DUPR is sponsored by Warping Point. Check out their paddles & gear at https://warpingpoint.com. 🏓 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 ------------------ 0:00 Intro 3:01 Zane at Worlds 6:16 Breaking news 9:52 Zane at Worlds cont’d 16:43 Pros flooding the commentary booth 19:44 Nico’s World’s experience 31:42 Should pros have priority on courts 35:40 A huge men’s doubles comeback 46:22 Singles results and JLG’s secret weapon 56:58 Mixed doubles results from Worlds 1:04:37 Sofia and Catherine are heating up 1:11:29 Ben Johns’ lefty forehand 1:14:17 Guess my DUPR and mean comments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zane is playing Worlds qualies on his birthday, CJ Klinger's Chipotle order is a crime scene, and Zane is officially "a correct asshole." 🥒 Nico the Lefty and Zane recap the MLP Nations Cup and ask whether it's a missed opportunity. They rank Team USA, argue about those jerseys, and preview PPA Worlds in Dallas. Then they go back through your comments on what makes someone a pro, play Guess My DUPR, and finish with a Halloween candy draft that Zane may regret. In this episode: - Worlds week in Dallas: birthdays, Airbnbs, shuttles, and Zane's qualifier surprise - Why mixed doubles is the toughest draw in pickleball - MLP Nations Cup: the team splits, Team USA's jerseys, and how to fix the format - Is this Team USA the best MLP team ever? CJ Klinger's Chipotle sponsorship and order - The new Houston Hammers, and the MLP commissioner we still don't have - Worlds partnerships to watch, including Sophia Sewing and Nico Acevedo - "What defines a pro pickleball player?" Round two, with your comments - Guess My DUPR, plus a new use for DUPR in the comments - The Halloween candy draft Customize your own pickleball paddle today: https://www.joysentsport.com/pages/design (and don't forget to use code THEDINK for 10% off) Shop for your next paddle at 🏓 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 ------------------ 0:00 Intro 4:14 The shuttle situation in Dallas 10:35 The draws at Worlds are DEEP 12:19 Nations Cup reactions 20:30 CJ Klinger’s Chipotle sponsorship 25:04 Team USA is not #1? 33:31 MLP expands to 21 teams 38:24 New partnerships at World’s 45:55 Nico’s delisted paddle 56:06 What defines a pro response 1:09:00 Comments section 1:16:45 Guess my DUPR 1:23:32 Candy draft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zane almost took a game off the world number one, and Nico still can't say "Catan." 🥒 Nico the Lefty and Zane break down PPA Hong Kong, the "slam" that isn't a slam, and why the courts and the ball had the ball strikers struggling. Then they design the ultimate pro pickleball combine, argue about what makes someone a real pro, and guess Jordy from Barstool's DUPR rating. Listener comments are teased for next week, and apparently Nico may be a bad father. In this episode: - PPA Hong Kong: the results, the upsets, and Hayworth's slump - Court surfaces, slower bounces, and the Lifetime ball "powered by Yola" - Ben and Gabe's losing streak, and the men's doubles power rankings - The Selkirk Sparta Combine: which tests a pro pickleball combine should include - What actually defines a pro pickleball player - Guess My DUPR with Jordie from Barstool 💊 Marek Health → https://www.marekhealth.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 ------------------ 0:00 Intro 2:09 Zane’s experience in Hong Kong 5:48 Can any ball compete? 11:44 PPA Game night invites 14:37 Is Chris Haworth in a slump? 24:51 The new #3 player in women’s singles: Andie Dikosavljevic 28:54 Women’s doubles and mixed doubles 33:06 JW Johnson is the new #1 on DUPR 38:34 Fed and Hayden upset Ben and Gabe 43:14 Power ranking men's doubles 48:49 Should Asia have its own PPA season + Batman?? 59:51 Nico’s upcoming combine 1:08:45 Definition of a pro 1:15:41 Guess my DUPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pickleball is getting louder, messier, and more interesting—and this week’s conversation proves it. Zane Navratil and Nico break down the latest pro pickleball stories, from tournament scheduling chaos in Australia and Hong Kong to first-time gold medalists, the rise of Elliott Shupp, and the debate over what belongs on center court. Zane shares firsthand updates from competing overseas, including the challenge of overlapping tournaments and players having to choose between a semifinal and making it to their next event. Then the hosts discuss standout performances from Sophia Seving, Jaume Martinez Vich, and Elliott Shupp—and whether Shupp could already be one of the most dangerous lefties in pickleball. The conversation turns to one of the sport’s biggest debates: screaming, taunting, and whether pro pickleball needs new rules. The hosts explore the proposed changes, possible double standards, and whether the sport should rein in its players—or embrace the moments that grab attention. 🏓 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 ------------------ 0:00 Intro 4:06 PPA Australia vs Virginia Beach 11:24 Congrats Jaume + Elliot 21:21 MLP needs a commissioner 24:25 Jim Kloss’s proposed yelling rule 38:49 Crunching the numbers 49:24 Protesters at APP Louisville 51:29 Challenging AI line calls 58:59 Mean comments 1:15:37 Guess my DUPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The biggest indoor pickleball business story of the year collides with a wild Chicago recap, and the debate around Annalee Waters, Ben Johns, and the future of pro pickleball gets surprisingly deep fast. If you want the sharpest takes on the PPA Chicago chaos, the Pickler bankruptcy, and the next wave of stars, this is the episode. Zane and Nico break down everything that mattered from Chicago, starting with Annalee Waters hitting 200 PPA golds at 19 and the uncomfortable question nobody else wants to ask: what is left for her to chase? They also dig into Ben Johns’ latest doubles stumble, the pressure of playing with him, and why Jack Sock and Bruno/Anwar completely changed the feel of the men’s draw. 💊 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 ------------------ 0:00 Intro 1:42 Zane’s Australian hotel 4:17 Ranking US cities that are better than Sacramento 7:40 Anna Leigh Waters wins 200th PPA Gold 18:53 Nico's semi-pro ball knowledge 25:50 Men’s doubles recap with Ben and Jack 33:12 Big H stirs the pot with Eric Oncins 36:16 Men’s singles race + the new Flying Frenchman 44:57 Women’s doubles results + top ten rankings 53:50 Quick mixed doubles recap 57:01 Picklr bankruptcy 1:06:21 1% of players are 5.0s 1:10:42 MEAN COMMENTS 1:24:56 Guess my DUPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anna Bright joins Zane and Nico after her gold-medal run in Las Vegas to explain the moment everyone was talking about: challenging a ball at 10-0 with a double pickle on the line. In this episode, Anna opens up about her competitive mindset, her partnership with Anna Lee, and why she won’t apologize for playing to win. She also talks about returning from a solo backpacking trip through Vietnam, how her game is evolving, and whether she sees herself as a stronger right-side or left-side player. Plus, Zane and Nico break down the biggest stories from Vegas: Anna and Hayden’s mixed doubles gold, Ben Johns’ singles run, Kiera Kikumoto’s breakout, Nico Acevedo’s rise, and the debate over pay equity in pickleball. They also revisit the Christian Alshon–DJ Young ball standoff, pick dream partnerships in a new matchmaker segment, and get into comments, paddle talk, and 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 ------------------ 0:00 Intro 4:27 Ben Johns back on the singles podium 9:28 Ben is 14-1 against Christian Alshon 11:14 Anna Bright joins the pod 15:28 Locking in with Hayden for gold 18:50 Anna Bright went solo to Vietnam 22:47 Which pro would struggle on a solo trip to Vietnam? 26:31 The most ruthless challenge we’ve ever seen 33:51 Catherine and Tyra challenge the champs 37:28 Analyzing the mixed finals win 39:45 Can you be the best in the world from the right side? 43:29 Who do you like beating the most? 51:35 A new challenger for the women’s singles crown 57:17 Nico Acevedo proves he’s a top 10 player 59:20 Mean comments 1:11:46 Guess my DUPR 1:15:10 Matchmaker partnerships 1:20:09 Illegal paddles + the Ben Johns - Jack Sock partnership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 🏓 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 ------------------ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 💊 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 ------------------ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 ------------------ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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? 🩺 With Marek, taking care of your health doesn't have to be a huge commitment. 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 ------------------ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices