PicklePod Thomas Shields, Zane Navratil

Dan Martinson from PIKKL joins the pod to discuss the current state of paddle technology. Dan's material science background and passion for pickleball have led him to become a paddle expert. His new approach to maintaining paddle integrity could have a big impact on how players use and replace paddles.

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

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To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
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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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-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
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0:00 A gift for Zane
3:42 The Dink Minor Leagues and major league valuations
9:45 Lea’s revenge tour
12:14 Is Donald Young for real?
15:01 The rise of Fed and Tina Pisnik
18:59 M/W doubles recap
21:33 Dan joins the pod
24:01 Understanding the rules
28:38 Weight sidebar
32:26 Favoring a drive/drop hybrid
36:26 Paddle brand sources and protecting IP
40:29 Who is innovating in the paddle space
44:40 Generating more RPMs
51:04 Will paddle manufacturers set a standard?
53:14 Diving deep on grit details
56:08 Not in the final state of innovation
59:56 Carbon fiber could become obsolete
1:05:16 Customization options
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Augie Ge’s unique entry into pickleball had an unfortunate beginning but became a blessing in disguise. After losing his biostatistics job, Ge went all-in and pro pickleball.

His own brand of obscure drills and tennis/ping pong background have led him to a PPA Silver Medal, MLP Premier Level, and an Arizona Pickleball League title.

Ready to wield something as bold as your backhand? Swing by Warstic’s collection and let your paddle do the talking. https://warstic.com/collections/pickleball-paddles

Subscribe to The Dink 3x weekly newsletter https://thedink.beehiiv.com/

Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at thedinkteam@heydink.com to apply.

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
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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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-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
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0:00 Introducing Augie Ge
4:24 Augie’s blessing in disguise
9:18 Early pro days and Zane’s wedding
13:10 The social bump after good results and salary talk
17:55 Credit to HeyShay
21:47 AZ Pickleball League influence
25:41 The Silver Medal run with Jaume in NC
27:51 Power ranking the lefties and
30:56 Unorthodox training methods and unique wall drills
34:04 Do you train grip changes?
38:11 Table tennis crossover and extra emphasis on the volleys
41:46 Augie’s win over Zane
46:14 MLP Forecast for the DPC
49:20 Augie’s college tennis experience and April schedule
54:10 ALW’s dominance and 100th title
1:00:02 Do you watch when not playing?
1:01:40 Voicemails
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Newly appointed GM of the Texas Ranchers, Ryan Dawidjan, joins the pod. The guys grade and analyze all of the MLP teams following the draft.

The Ranchers' first pick Christian Alshon has started a Twitter feud. The guys discuss how the back and forth shook out and a new possible on-court challenge between Alshon and James Blake.

Ready to wield something as bold as your backhand? Swing by Warstic’s collection and let your paddle do the talking.

Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at thedinkteam@heydink.com to apply.

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

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.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-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
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0:00 Introducing Ryan Dawidjan
6:30 Ryan’s draft experience
8:17 How do you prep in just 48 hours?
14:30 Factoring in growth potential
18:58 Seattle Pioneers
25:02 New Jersey 5’s
30:01 Humberg and Howells
35:07 St. Louis Shock
37:04 Columbus Sliders
40:52 AZ Drive
45:39 NY Hustlers
52:51 Texas Ranchers
59:17 Christian Alshon’s Twitter Feud
1:03:04 Alshon vs Blake hypothetical
1:09:30 DC Pickleball Team
1:10:20 LA Mad Drops
1:11:23 Orlando Squeeze and wedding talk
1:14:03 Dallas Pickleball Club
1:16:30 Utah Black Diamonds
1:18:44 Premier Level snubs
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Zane recaps his big weekend at the Austin Open and how the conditions were right for a Johns upset. Pickleball United CEO Pranav Kohli stops by to explain the Pickleball World Series. The new international tour is set to kick off in 2025 and offers some of the largest prize pools in pickleball history.

Use code DINK10 to save 10% on the new CHUCK pickleball from GAMMA at http://gammasports.com/

Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at thedinkteam@heydink.com to apply.

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

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.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-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
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0:00 Zane’s big weekend at the Rain Delay Open
5:20 Outlining the winning strategy
9:57 Upcoming pros vs 5.0s and a match vs the Klitchs
16:31 Collin’s scoop in game 2, carry or not
19:27 Play to your strengths with a new partner
24:30 Andrei’s hot streak and Christian’s ceiling
28:35 The curse of the PicklePod
32:34 MLP events overlap some APP events
34:27 Is the gap closing on Ben Johns?
37:14 Iggy on the hot seat and is Andrei #2
40:27 Is the APP vs PPA gap overstated? & Newman vs Wright
42:52 Proton paddles pushing the limits
48:10 Thomas’ rocketship paddle is on the way
51:04 New Vulcan balls in Austin
53:31 Listener questions
56:48 Secret patterns that the pros talk about
59:53 Introducing Pickleball World Series
1:04:45 What makes the World Series different
1:11:57 How is the Times Group involved?
1:15:50 Finals at MSG or the Sphere
1:19:38 What are you working on now?
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What’s it like to be the world’s best player at just 17 years old? Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters join a very special edition of the PicklePod to give you a look behind the curtain.

They share some insane fan stories including groups of fans tracking them down at the airport. Finally, Anna Leigh explains how to hit one of her most dangerous shots.

Save 10% on the new Airbender paddle from GAMMA with code DINK10 at gammasports.com

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

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.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-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
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0:00 Anna Leigh’s car collection
6:17 The pressure of being number 1
11:40 Partnership helps the mother-daughter relationship
16:00 ALW fandom reaches new heights
19:10 Tennis world recognizes the Waters
22:50 An average day of training
26:49 Adapting to paddle technology
32:15 Anna Leigh’s new paddle
36:39 Is Leigh Waters back?
42:49 Net worth rumors and sponsorship deals
48:12 Lessons from lob-gate
53:35 The pressure to win and the Tyra Black match
1:02:34 Innovating with the Happy Gilmore Serve
1:04:31 Anna Leigh’s two-handed backhand
1:08:10 RV life and ALW’s ‘bodyguard’
1:13:20 Rapid fire questions
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Jimmy Miller from the King of the Court podcast joins the pod to break down the merger aftermath. The MLP season can finally get underway but there are still a few loose ends to tie up.

A couple players have opted out of salary reductions or have been bought out of their contracts. That means we could see some top talent choosing not to compete in PPA or MLP events this year.

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

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.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-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
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0:00 Intro
4:14 How Jimmy got on the inside
7:24 What’s the goal for Jimmy?
9:26 Vulcan Ball changes incoming
14:28 Feeding balls to Susan and wearing a Rolex
17:12 Background on the Tour Wars
24:05 Players offered and accepted buy-outs
29:23 Clinics threatened for those that don't take cuts
35:15 How would ProXR feel about Riley not playing tournaments?
39:45 Johnson 5 in no man’s land
42:55 MLP Draft planned for North Carolina - First event Miami?
49:26 Life as a GM
52:10 The Premier/Challenger split
55:48 Should every team be in the Premier Level?
1:05:50 Pros coming after Jimmy
1:19:15 The Gamemaker and new pickle sports
1:24:02 Jimmy needs a new scandal
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