Behind the scenes of the 2026 1st Annual Spring Invitational at 3rd Shot Pickleball in Indianapolis, IN. We had over 280 players total! This 3 day tournament was a huge success, filled with lots of fun, laughs and competitiveness start to finish. Shot & Edited by: Thxmedia / https://www.thxedit.com Thank…
In this episode, we dive deep into the most controversial news in the sport: the DUPR Reset. Is it a necessary validation tool for the "boots on the ground" players, or is it just a $35 money grab? Rick shares a personal horror story of how winning a gold medal…
Are you plateauing because of your paddle, or because of your brain? 📉 In this episode of This Is Pickleball, we sit down with pro player, club owner, and former military linguist Susannah Barr to answer a hard question: Is your mindset weak? Susannah reveals her "Pickleball Grit" philosophy—a 77-day…
Heading to Naples for the Biggest Pickleball Party in the World? Don’t go unprepared. We’ve cut together the ultimate 10-minute masterclass featuring US Open President Ben Weinberger and Senior Pro Rick Witsken. This isn't just about the brackets—it's about how to actually survive and thrive in the most intense tournament…
The US Open is officially the BIGGEST pickleball party in the world! 🌎🔥 Ben Weinberger breaks down the mind-blowing lottery numbers for this year—with 7,126 entries for just 3,500 spots, the demand is through the roof! 🚀 From all 50 states and 53 countries, everyone wants a piece of the…
Ever wonder what it takes to organize 7,000 players, 500 pros, and 56,000 fans in a single week? Welcome Inside the Biggest Pickleball Party in the World. In this episode, we sit down with Ben Weinberger, President and Tournament Director of the US Open Pickleball Championships. Ben reveals the staggering…
Ever seen a pro player standing upright in the back of a moving convertible because they physically couldn't sit down? 🚙💨 Rick Witsken takes us back to a legendary gold medal match in Chicago where full-body cramps nearly ended it all. The secret weapon that got him back on court…
In this episode of This Is Pickleball we dive deep into the crossover between pro tennis and pro pickleball. Rick gives an exclusive "Uncle Rick" perspective on Ben Shelton’s recent Australian Open run and discusses the tactical evolution of the world’s best tennis players. But the real drama starts on…
How do you beat the most dominant force in the game when you’re down 9-4 in the third? According to Jackie and Jade Kawamoto, you stop trying to make the score "respectable" and you start fighting. 😤 The sisters pull back the curtain on the biggest upset of 2025. They…
Most people think you have to go "all-in" 24/7 to reach the top of the PPA Tour. Jackie and Jade Kawamoto are proving everyone wrong. By day, they’re working in Championships and Eligibility at the NCAA. By the weekend, they’re taking down the World #1s. 🥇 The secret? Their jobs…
Rick and I played Jackie and Jade Kawamoto... it did not end well.
In this episode, we sit down with the PPA’s most synchronized force: Jackie and Jade Kawamoto. From their childhood in Maui to their Division 1 tennis days at the University of Dayton, the sisters share their unique path to the podium. Unlike many full-time pros, Jackie and Jade maintain careers…
Rick opens up about one of the most powerful moments of his life. After his brother Todd Witsken passed away, Todd’s best friend (and pro tennis star) Bryan Shelton stepped in to support the family. What happened next is a story of love, healing, and a legacy that lives on…
It’s more than a logo. It’s a legacy. 🦅 You see the Ripsken brand on courts everywhere, but few know the heartbreaking story behind it. In this emotional clip, Rick Witsken opens up about losing his brother and idol, former World #1 Doubles player Todd Witsken, to Glioblastoma. He explains…
The paddle controversy isn't going away. Zane compares illegal paddles to Performance Enhancing Drugs in other sports—players will always look for an unfair advantage if they aren't stopped. His solution for the pros? Heavy punishment. 🔨 His solution for amateurs? Public Shaming. 🔔 Question: If you catch someone with an…
Is Pickleball actually HARDER than Tennis? 🫣 Zane Navratil just dropped a nuke on the Tennis vs. Pickleball debate. 🔥 "Pickleball is MORE skill-reliant than Tennis." 🗣️ He admits Tennis players are better athletes (Sinner & Alcaraz are aliens 👽), but says if you don't have the hands for pickleball,…
Is the #1 player in the world unbeatable, or is everyone just scared? 😨 Fabian drops a massive comparison: Anna Leigh Waters has the Mike Tyson Effect. 🥊 When Iron Mike was in his prime, opponents lost before they even got in the ring. It wasn't always a skill gap—it…
We legally cannot take Fabian anywhere. But seriously, drop a comment... what ARE they? 👇 (Wrong answers only).
The rumors are true. In this episode, Rick and Fabian break down the biggest payday in pickleball history: Anna Leigh Waters’ $10 million deal with Franklin and her massive new partnership with Nike. We also track the "Paddle Shuffle" chaos—who went to Friday, Luz, and Faos? But this episode isn't…
Is this the worst brand name in pickleball... or a stroke of genius? 💡 Rick and Fabian try to decode the mystery behind 11SIX24 Pickleball. "That's a lot to remember... what the hell does it even mean?" 😂 Rick admits the confusing number sequence is "counter-intuitive marketing"—but hey, we're talking…
Is tennis actually a "lifelong sport"? Zane Navratil says NO. 🙅♂️🎾 Zane Navratil drops a massive hot take on the Tennis vs. Pickleball debate. His argument? Sure, you can play tennis at 75... but does it look fun? "If you see some 75-year-old guys out there playing tennis... that does…
Are you practicing the wrong things? 🤔📉 In this clip, Zane drops the hard truth for intermediate pickleball players. We all love to drill dinks and drops, but are those actually the shots causing you to lose? Zane’s advice? Film your matches. 📹 "Build a picture of what actually happened...…
From quitting his job as a Deloitte auditor to becoming the World #1 and inventing the most controversial serve in pickleball history, Zane Navratil is the ultimate disruptor. In this episode of This is Pickleball, Rick and Fabian sit down with the "Moneyball" king himself to discuss his wild journey,…
