PicklePod

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

PicklePod

Show Notes

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

More from PicklePod

Oct 20, 2026

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.

Oct 13, 2026

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.

Oct 6, 2026

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.

Sep 30, 2026

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.

Sep 22, 2026

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.

See all episodes →