Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at 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 troscriptions.com/dink
Be the first to try Zane's new course here: tzpickleball.com
Check out Zane's Pro Pickleball Talk channel on Discord: 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 thedink.beehiiv.com
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 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
PicklePod 2.0 is presented by Marek Health. Use our code THEDINK for 10% off your $299 Intake Assessment at 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 troscriptions.com/dink
Be the first to try Zane's new course here: tzpickleball.com
Check out Zane's Pro Pickleball Talk channel on Discord: 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 thedink.beehiiv.com
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 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
