The World Pickleball Podcast

Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson

Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson chat about the world game of pickleball, uncovering the most fascinating pickleball stories from across the globe in their own fun, unique style. This podcast is perfect for all pickleball fans, especially those who want to know more about what is happening outside of the USA (though hey, the US folks will love it too!) Join us weekly for a light-hearted but very serious world pickleball fix.

  1. 19h ago

    The English Open Changed the Game: Winners, Surprises and What Comes Next

    Six days. More than 60 courts. Some of the best players in Europe and North America. And somewhere around 150 combined hours behind the microphone. Chris Beaumont and Nick Hobbis are back from the NEC for the definitive review of the 2026 English Open. They revisit the performances that shaped the week, from Ignasi De Rueda singles breakthrough and the brilliance of Roos van Reek to Jack Munro and Richard Livornese's American statement, Marcello Jardim's senior dominance and the players who exceeded expectations without necessarily leaving Birmingham with gold. But this is about more than results. Chris and Nick discuss what it felt like inside the biggest indoor pickleball tournament yet staged, the volunteers who made it possible, the success of the Unity Cup and the community stories happening away from the championship courts. They also examine where the English Open needs to go next. Should professional players still be playing large round-robin groups? Does the pro division need an entry threshold? What did Stupa's video review and match data add to the broadcast? How should reviews be managed? And after the huge leap from Telford to the NEC, what does Pickleball England do for an encore? Plus Jake Bower's tactical intelligence, the extraordinary depth of the men's singles field, the gap between Europe and America, the rise of De Rueda, the relentless consistency of Van Reek, some outrageous ATPs and Ernies, and why the grassroots game must never become separated from the professional spectacle being built above it. The English Open grew up in Birmingham. Now comes the interesting part.

  2. Aug 8

    How Do You Build Pickleball Culture? Ron Shell on the NPL, Rivalries and What Comes Next

    What does it take to build a professional pickleball league when the culture around the sport is still being created? World Pickleball Podcast sits down with National Pickleball League CEO Ron Shell for a wide-ranging conversation about the growth of the NPL in Australia, the arrival of New Zealand, and why building a successful league involves far more than putting good players on a court. Shell explains why he sees the NPL as a marketing vehicle for pickleball itself, why attracting people from outside the existing pickleball community matters, and how the league is trying to create venues, teams and events that people genuinely want to belong to. The conversation explores the emergence of real rivalries and player personalities, the role companies and communities can play in growing the sport, and why professional pickleball still has work to do before discovering the version of itself that truly works as a broadcast product. There is also a bigger question running through the episode: should emerging pickleball markets simply copy what has happened in the United States, or can countries such as Australia build something with its own identity? Ron Shell joins World Pickleball Podcast to talk culture, competition, community and the unfinished business of figuring out exactly what professional pickleball can become.

  3. Aug 5

    English Open 2026 Preview | Medal Predictions, Biggest Stars & Why This Is Europe's Biggest Pickleball Tournament

    The countdown is on. With less than a week until the 2026 English Open begins at Birmingham's NEC, Chris Beaumont is joined by commentator Nick Hobbis to preview the biggest pickleball tournament outside the United States. Across more than an hour of analysis, they break down the biggest contenders, the international stars, the medal favourites and the storylines that could define one of the world's premier pickleball events. Among the topics discussed: 🏆 Who can stop Marcelo Jardim in the senior divisions? 🏆 Will Lee Whitwell complete another dominant week? 🏆 Why the Open divisions are deeper than ever. 🏆 Megan Fudge returns to defend her titles. 🏆 The players ready to announce themselves on the international stage. 🏆 Why moving to Birmingham's NEC could transform the English Open. 🏆 Behind the scenes of commentating one of Europe's biggest pickleball events. Whether you're playing, spectating or watching from home, this is your complete guide to the 2026 English Open. Subscribe to World Pickleball Magazine for daily news, features and analysis from around the world.

  4. Jul 28

    Why Pickleball Players Are Getting Recovery Wrong — With RAD Roller Founder Michael Mallory

    Most pickleball players know they should warm up, recover properly and look after their bodies. Far fewer actually do it. In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont speaks with RAD Roller founder Michael Mallory about why recovery should not begin only after something hurts, why harder pressure is not always better and how five to ten minutes of daily mobility work could help players stay on court for longer. Mallory explains how his own history of serious sporting injuries — including reconstructive surgery after both legs were badly damaged in a skiing accident — shaped his understanding of rehabilitation, movement and self-myofascial release. The conversation explores: Why pickleball players often mistake pain for effective recoveryThe difference between prehab, rehabilitation and everyday recoveryHow mobility restrictions can contribute to shoulder, elbow and knee problemsWhy light, fast pressure can be more useful than crushing a foam rollerWhat stretching can and cannot achieveHow the nervous system protects restricted movementWhy recovery needs to become as routine as brushing your teethThe five-minute daily habit Mallory recommends for players of every age This is not simply a discussion about recovery products. It is a practical guide to understanding what your body needs before and after you play. Because the best recovery programme is not the one you begin when you are injured. It is the one that helps stop you getting there.

  5. Jul 22

    How To Fuel A Pickleball Tournament Day With Taylor Brower, RD

    Most pickleball players will spend more time thinking about paddles, shoes and technique than what they eat and drink before stepping on court. In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont is joined by Taylor Brower, registered dietitian at Skratch Labs, to explain how nutrition and hydration affect performance across a long pickleball day. They discuss the most common causes of late-match fatigue, why recreational players often underfuel without realising it, how much to drink before an early tournament start, when electrolytes matter, what caffeine can and cannot do, and how to eat between matches without feeling heavy. Taylor also explains the four Rs of recovery, why carbohydrate and protein work best together, how chocolate milk earned its reputation as a recovery drink, and the one nutrition habit she believes every pickleball player should change first. This is a practical, non-sales conversation for players at every level—from local league competitors to tournament regulars looking to stay sharper deeper into the day.

  6. Jul 11

    Has Professional Pickleball Grown Too Fast? Lee Whitwell on Line Calls, Cheating and the Pro Game

    Professional pickleball has more money, more prize purses and more attention than ever. But has the infrastructure beneath the sport kept pace? Lee Whitwell joins Chris Beaumont to discuss the growing crisis around honour-system line calls and why she believes blaming referees misses the real problem. The conversation moves from questionable calls and player reputations into the deeper weaknesses surrounding the professional game, including video reviews, referee support, drug testing, player governance and the way controversy is packaged for social media. They also explore how behaviour at the top filters into recreational pickleball, where a player desperate to win can ruin the very environment that brings others back each week. Topics include: • Why disputed calls are becoming harder to ignore • Whether referees are being placed in impossible positions • Why pickleball may have invested in players before infrastructure • The risks of turning cheating and confrontation into content • How professional behaviour affects recreational culture • Why technology can support honesty but cannot replace it This is a wider discussion about credibility, culture and what kind of professional sport pickleball wants to become. Listen to the World Pickleball Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.

  7. Jul 7

    Bob Winskowicz: Why Pickleball’s Next Performance Revolution May Start With Your Feet

    Bob Winskowicz: Why Pickleball’s Next Performance Revolution May Start With Your Feet In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont is joined by Bob Winskowicz, founder and CEO of SQAIRZ, to explore one of the most overlooked areas of pickleball performance: footwear. Pickleball players spend countless hours analysing paddles, technique, strategy and training, but Bob believes the sport has largely ignored the foundation underneath every movement: the connection between the player and the court. Drawing on his background in golf, baseball and sports performance, Bob explains why balance, stability and ground force production are central to playing better and staying healthier. He shares the story behind SQAIRZ’s move into pickleball, the research behind its court shoes and why he believes traditional footwear design has not fully addressed the demands of a sport built around explosive lateral movement. In this wide-ranging conversation, Chris and Bob discuss: • Why pickleball movement creates unique footwear challenges • Why balance and stability matter as much as power • How the shape of a shoe can influence performance • The relationship between footwear and injury prevention • Competing against global sportswear giants as a specialist brand • The future of performance technology in pickleball and beyond Bob also reveals how the company’s thinking extends beyond sport, with the same principles of balance and stability being applied to everyday movement and reducing fall risk later in life. Is footwear the next major equipment conversation in pickleball? Listen to find out why the battle for better performance may begin before the paddle ever touches the ball. The World Pickleball Podcast brings you conversations with the players, coaches, innovators and decision-makers shaping the global game.

  8. Jul 6

    How Your Feet Are Deciding Pickleball Performance Before You Notice

    Most pickleball injuries do not start with a single moment. They build slowly, often unnoticed, in the background of regular play. In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, we speak with Laina Gossman, founder of Soul Insole, about the biomechanics of foot health and why it matters far more than most players realise. We explore how small imbalances in the feet can lead to common pickleball injuries such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles strain, and knee discomfort, and why returning athletes are particularly vulnerable when they step back into competitive movement. Laina also explains the difference between rigid orthotics and softer support systems, and how foot stability can influence not just injury prevention, but performance, balance, and efficiency on court. This is a conversation about movement, recovery, and the hidden foundation of how players perform. Whether you are a beginner or competing at a high level, this episode challenges how you think about every step you take on court. Check out soulinsole.com to see their range of exceptional orthotics.

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About

Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson chat about the world game of pickleball, uncovering the most fascinating pickleball stories from across the globe in their own fun, unique style. This podcast is perfect for all pickleball fans, especially those who want to know more about what is happening outside of the USA (though hey, the US folks will love it too!) Join us weekly for a light-hearted but very serious world pickleball fix.

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