PPA Daytona Sparks New Beef, The Fight Against Fake Paddles & MLP Is Headed to Disney World
PicklePodShow Notes
The PicklePod closes out the year with a wide-ranging look at the stories that will shape pro pickleball in 2026.
This episode breaks down what actually mattered at PPA Daytona, why the Jorja Johnson–Anna Lee Waters discourse has gone off the rails, and how recency bias continues to distort conversations around Anna Bright. We also look at emerging singles talent, including former tennis players making legitimate career moves into pickleball—and what that means for the competitive landscape next season.
- On the business and governance side, we unpack:
- The latest UPA contract fallout involving Ignatovich, Fu, and Glozman
- Why an appeal likely isn’t the real endgame
- The motivations behind the “You Can’t Trust a Fake” counterfeit paddle campaign
- The official ProXR–PaddleTek merger and what it signals for paddle innovation and pricing
You’ll also hear updates on:
- DUPR’s new expected score system
- The full 2025 Major League Pickleball schedule, including Junior MLP and Disney World
- Thomas recovering his infamous Tesla-Selkirk paddle
- Early thoughts on nominations for the 2025 Dink Awards
There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order.
Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK
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
2:23 PPA Daytona Recap
7:09 New beef between Jorja and Jessie?
9:36 Who is the better fit to partner with ALW?
15:53 The Anna Bright vs Thomas match
18:05 DUPR now shows predicted match score
19:49 Can’t trust a fake campaign
23:24 ProXR and PaddleTek merger
25:06 MLP is headed to Disney World
28:12 Ignatowich & Co appeal termination
31:11 Zane makes his Dink Awards nominations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from PicklePod
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.