PicklePod

The Dink Pickleball
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Pickleball's #1 Podcast with Top Pro Zane Navratil and Pickleball Creator, Nico The Lefty. Some would say it’s a “Picklers” dream podcast with the duo’s loud and unfiltered insights commentating on the good, the bad, and even the ugly sides of the sport as Pickleball undeniably rockets towards mainstream adoption. Weekly rotating topics, guests, tournament recaps, Pickleball pop-culture, player strategies, and more. No comment or topic can breach the PicklePod Non-Valley Zone, everything is in play. It’s on the PicklePod or it didn’t happen. Thomas Shields is the Founder Of “The Dink Pickleball” Media company and Zane Navratil is atop ranked pickleball pro who has won championships on the PPA Tour, APP Tour, and Major League Pickleball. RSSVERIFY

  1. 2 HR AGO

    Pickleball Finals Are Season 8 of Game of Thrones

    Zane and Nico break down the new “Partners” pickleball documentary series and debate whether it lived up to the hype. From Hayden Patriquin and Gabe Tardio stealing the show, to the Anna Leigh Waters spotlight, the Jaume/Hunter/Paris drama, and the biggest winners and losers of the series — nothing is off limits. The guys also dive into: - Why Championship Sunday feels broken - Zane’s proposal to completely redesign Tour Finals - Whether pickleball needs MORE drama - UPAA rule changes and the serve controversy - Why fans should be allowed to heckle during matches - The future of pro pickleball entertainment Plus: bachelor party Mount Rushmores, Toys R Us nostalgia, and listener comments. Let us know what YOU think in the comments 👇 Listeners get 20% off their entire order at https://www.120life.com/ Just use code: DINK One simple code. A perfect time to refocus—or help someone you care about take their heart health seriously. Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.zocdoc.com/THEDINK to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Check out Zane's Pro Pickleball Talk channel on Discord: https://discord.gg/wzNVADmZb #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 4:44 Mount Rushmore of bachelor parties 9:02 Grading the Partners doc -- Hayden & Gabe unfiltered 14:29 Winners & Losers of the Partners doc 18:55 Zane & Nico's favorite part of the doc 21:02 The Ricky Bobby Mentality 25:01 Zane fixes the PPA Finals 35:37 PPA Malaysia preview 38:00 Best of 3 or best of 5 on Sundays 43:00 New UPA-A Rulebook no more blowing 50:59 Unsportmanlike penalties and fan behavior 58:02 The new 5s logo drop 59:32 Guess my DUPR 1:02:34 Listener comments -- Nico's proposal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 10min

  2. 5 MAY

    Jack Sock Gets the Last Laugh after BRUTAL Bodybag

    This might have been the WILDEST week in pickleball… and we’re breaking it all down. From Nico’s pro debut at APP Sacramento to nonstop line calling controversy, a controversial body bag on Jack Sock, and a massive $225 MILLION investment shaking up the sport… this episode has EVERYTHING. We dive into: - Nico’s first pro tournament (and what went wrong 😅) - The ongoing line calling drama… and when “mistakes” become cheating - Zane vs Jack Sock 👀 (and the body bag heard around pickleball) - The rise of Tamashima Mukuro and what makes him so dangerous - Why championship Sunday felt… kinda boring - And what the $225M investment means for the future of pickleball Is pickleball growing too fast? Do we need AI line calls ASAP? And is dominance at the top making the sport less exciting? Let us know what YOU think in the comments 👇 Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Check out Zane's Pro Pickleball Talk channel on Discord: https://discord.gg/wzNVADmZb #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 3:06 Nico's first pro pickleball attempt 8:25 More from APP - Duong Bros in Sacramento 14:02 Bad line calls are becoming a reputation 21:13 Pickleball Inc’s $225 Million investment 28:24 Waiting on the right TV Deal 32:59 Zane gives Jack a 'Welcome to Pickleball' moment 41:18 Nico floored by Danni Townsend's erne 45:54 Number 1 seeds are 162-1 in 2026 52:35 Tama's breakout weekend in Atlanta 1:00:23 Partners show earns a B+ from Zane 1:03:18 Guess my DUPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 7min

  3. 29 APR

    She Thought Pickleball Was a Drinking Game Now She's a Top Pro

    Danni Elle Townsend didn’t plan on becoming a pro pickleball player… Now she’s the #3 overall pick in MLP, playing for the defending champion Columbus Sliders. We sat down with Danni LIVE at the Atlanta National Pickleball Club to talk about her journey from Australia to the biggest stage in pickleball—and what it’s actually like stepping into Major League Pickleball as a rookie. In this episode, we get into: How Danni went from casually playing to going pro Making the move from Australia to the U.S. Getting drafted to the Columbus Sliders The pressure of joining a championship team What surprised her most about MLP Rookie life, team dynamics, and behind-the-scenes moments Plus plenty of classic PicklePod chaos If you want to understand where the next wave of pro talent is coming from—this is the episode. Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Check out Zane's Pro Pickleball Talk channel on Discord: https://discord.gg/wzNVADmZb #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 1:12 Australian roots 4:42 An illustrious table tennis career 9:05 Training for table tennis in Japan 12:59 How does table tennis convert to pickleball 23:04 Pro pickleball decathlon 27:52 Players in Asia living on moneyball tournaments 31:16 Does pickleball require more skill or athleticism? 35:47 Should blowing the ball be legal? 39:33 Danni + Zane challenge the rules 43:19 Known for playing loud and trash-talking 47:42 How Danni deals with pressure 45:10 Working with a coach 1:01:27 Nerding out on Star Wars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 16min

  4. 21 APR

    Andre Agassi & James Blake Beat Anna Leigh Waters. Is that a Problem for Pickleball?

    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, everything goes off the rails. From controversial line calls at the US Open to a shocking paddle-toss disqualification in Sacramento, this might be the most chaotic week in pro pickleball yet. We break down: - The “hooking” controversy everyone is talking about - Why some calls went viral… and others didn’t - The paddle toss DQ that has players divided - Anna Leigh Waters & the Pickleball Slam fallout - Jack Sock’s rise (and what’s next) - Federico’s dominance in men’s singles - Nico’s silver medal run (and what went wrong 👀) Plus: fan roasts, hot takes, and a LOT of opinions. Let us know in the comments: 👉 Was that ball IN or OUT? 👉 Should players still call their own lines? 👉 Was the DQ justified? 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 Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Check out Zane's Pro Pickleball Talk channel on Discord: https://discord.gg/wzNVADmZb #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 Struggles from the US Open 6:35 Hook of the week in women’s doubles 19:10 Can ALW win with every male in the top 10? 24:28 Nico’s bday and Zane ‘loves’ Sacramento 29:58 Eating crow at the PB Slam 32:50 Could Nico win the PB Slam with ALW? 34:45 Jim Kloss delivers a hot take 39:27 Zane lost in the Costa Rica jungle 41:07 Nico’s Sacramento experience 46:23 A new unethical hack unlocked 49:57 Nico vs Zane and the next gen of senior pros 52:02 Lea loses on a technicality 1:00:56 Hunter Johnson defaulted on paddle toss 1:08:40 Jack Sock upsets Chris Haworth 1:10:55 Fahey swims again + Johns/Tardio stay undefeated 1:13:39 First time winners Black/Oncins + Todd/Rohrabacher 1:20:36 We read your comments 1:24:08 College pickleball goals 1:31:33 Guess my DUPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 36min

  5. 14 APR

    The JOOLA Lawsuit, Ben's Impossible Draw, and the $1M Slam

    PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ The PicklePod is BACK and this one is loaded. We’re breaking down everything happening in pickleball right now — from the massive US Open Pickleball Championships to the $1,000,000 Pickleball Slam, plus some serious controversy around the JOOLA lawsuit. We also debate one of the hottest takes in the sport right now… 👉 Is pickleball actually MORE demanding than tennis? And to top it off, we attempt to rank the top 10 best pickleball players in the world (pound-for-pound) — and things go off the rails quickly. In this episode: - US Open pickleball = biggest amateur tournament ever? - $1M Pickleball Slam (Annali vs Agassi 👀) - JOOLA lawsuit explained (and why it might not matter) - College pickleball is blowing up - PPA Sacramento preview + new partnerships - INSANE Ben Johns singles draw - “Guess My DUPR” returns - Our chaotic Top 10 player rankings 👇 Drop your takes in the comments: - Who wins the Pickleball Slam? - Is pickleball harder than tennis? - Who’s YOUR top 10? Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Check out Zane's Pro Pickleball Talk channel on Discord: https://discord.gg/wzNVADmZb #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 1:46 Do you miss playing in the US Open? 6:34 Could ALW win with a 5.5 partner? 9:49 Pickleball Slam 4 should be a blow out 19:37 JOOLA sues 11 companies 34:35 FAU wins DUPR Nationals 40:54 Changing PPA’s Race to the Finals 46:59 New partnerships on display in Sacramento 49:31 Why lefties struggle in mixed 53:42 The PPA hates Ben Johns 56:51 Nico’s hot singles take 1:01:57 Guess my DUPR revenge 1:05:00 Zane and Nico debate pound for pound 1:20:51 Zane alphas airport nemesis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 24min

  6. 7 APR

    Zane Defends the Most Hated Man in Pickleball

    PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at https://MarekHealth.com/ Pickleball just had one of its most controversial moments ever… This week on the PicklePod, Nico and Zane break down the viral line call from PPA Hanoi that has the entire pickleball world debating: 👉 Was it in or out? 👉 Was it cheating… or just inconclusive? Plus: - What it was REALLY like at PPA Hanoi 🇻🇳 - Why pickleball is exploding internationally - The biggest differences between US vs Asia pickleball - Crowd, production, and event takeaways - Why pickleball still doesn’t have line judges And yes… we also talk about fake Easter eggs and brutal April Fools jokes. 👇 Sound off in the comments: Was the ball IN or OUT? Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Check out Zane's Pro Pickleball Talk channel on Discord: https://discord.gg/wzNVADmZb #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 April Fools and Easter eggs 5:36 Fantasy pickleball options 9:08 Controversial line calls in Hanoi 19:59 PPA Asia having a huge inaugural year 31:03 Vietnam spawning men’s singles players 35:43 JOOLA ball playing slow in the heat 46:50 Instant classic in women’s singles 49:59 Oncins blows one over the net 57:10 Zane begging for change in Vietnam 1:09:58 Is 6 body bags too many? 1:13:24 Ring camera drama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 20min

  7. 31 MAR

    Pickleball Paddle BANNED from Pro Tour… and Not for the Reason You Think

    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, Nico and Zane break down the Proton controversy, rumors of unpaid players, and what the UPA crackdown could mean for the future of the sport. Then things get even crazier as they build the Mount Rushmore of Pickleball Fraud & Shadiness—from questionable companies to wild tournament promises that never happened. Plus: - A $600K amateur tournament?! 🤯 - Nico’s “Lefty Reset” weight loss challenge (and questionable strategy) - The best banned paddles of all time - And way too much discussion about Ben & Jerry’s Let us know in the comments: 👉 What’s the shadiest moment in pickleball history? 👉 Favorite banned paddle? 👉 Over/under: Nico loses 30 lbs? 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 3:15 Proton battling fraud allegations 7:13 Will Proton paddles get more expensive? 12:04 The Mt. Rushmore of Pickleball Frauds 16:04 Nico’s weight loss challenge 34:24 Zane holding a grudge with St. George 38:51 Chris Haworth claims the No.1 spot 43:02 Join the pro pickleball conversation on Discord 46:37 Tempers flared at PPA Black Rock 51:25 They need a go-to “play” 1:01:57 Zane doubles down on ALW vs Serena 1:06:60 PPA Asia Preview 1:15:50 Guess my DUPR MiLP Nationals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 22min

  8. 24 MAR

    Lea Jansen Called It The Karen Committee And She's Not Wrong

    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 one of the most outspoken and unfiltered voices in pro pickleball — Lea Jansen. From her viral Newport outburst to calling out the “Karen Rules Committee,” Lea pulls back the curtain on the chaos behind the scenes of pro pickleball. We dive deep into the controversial player council, fines, paddle tosses, and whether players should really be policing other players. But it’s not all drama… Lea also gets brutally honest about: Why screaming “COME ON” in rec play is a dead giveaway you’re an amateur - The mental battle of facing Anna Leigh Waters - What it actually feels like to play against the most dominant player in the sport - How pickleball politics are evolving (and where they’re falling short) Plus, we get into trolls, social media clapbacks, and the unwritten rules of pickleball etiquette that might need to be enforced ASAP. This episode is raw, hilarious, and packed with insight you won’t hear anywhere else. 👇 Drop a comment: Should pro pickleball be played indoors or outdoors?. 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 0:49 Lea lights up Nico Mid-Match 5:39 Where did the committee come from? 11:58 Should active players be on the committee? 15:36 All players can provide input 18:59 Only the fining committee can actually fine players 22:49 Lea calls for an open forum for player input 29:17 Who has the time? + High school superlatives 33:36 Rec play pet peeves 37:11 Pickleball court - addressing the trolls 41:13 Questions from the audience 48:00 Who is the next player to best Anna Leigh Waters? 57:40 Zane's ref controversy 1:06:42 Guess my DUPR 1:09:07 Podcast beef Shawn Wells 1:19:57 Introducing Shawn Wells 1:32:19 Why people started drinking Gatorade 1:35:32 The benefits of Taurine and creatine 1:40:08 Getting nutrients from your diet 1:43:00 Paraxanthine in Slammit Focus 1:49:19 Shawn's Slammit Story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 58min
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About

Pickleball's #1 Podcast with Top Pro Zane Navratil and Pickleball Creator, Nico The Lefty. Some would say it’s a “Picklers” dream podcast with the duo’s loud and unfiltered insights commentating on the good, the bad, and even the ugly sides of the sport as Pickleball undeniably rockets towards mainstream adoption. Weekly rotating topics, guests, tournament recaps, Pickleball pop-culture, player strategies, and more. No comment or topic can breach the PicklePod Non-Valley Zone, everything is in play. It’s on the PicklePod or it didn’t happen. Thomas Shields is the Founder Of “The Dink Pickleball” Media company and Zane Navratil is atop ranked pickleball pro who has won championships on the PPA Tour, APP Tour, and Major League Pickleball. RSSVERIFY

Information

  • Creator
    The Dink Pickleball
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    190
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All Rights Reserved. The Dink, LLC & The Props Network
  • Show Website
    PicklePod

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