PicklePod

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

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, 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

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 →