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,…
We're breaking down the wildest rumor surrounding Anna Leigh Waters' next paddle deal. The internet is on fire with speculation: 👟 The Nike Rumor: Execs were spotted courting her at Worlds in Dallas. 🧤 The Franklin Theory: Did they file a patent for her exact paddle shape? 💰 The Joola…
Kick off 2026 with a bang! In this special New Year's episode of This is Pickleball, Rick and Fabian dive headfirst into the chaotic world of "Paddle Wars." With contract negotiations exploding and pros switching brands left and right, the guys break down the biggest moves, rumors, and controversies shaking…
Why is the sweet spot higher on the new Agassi paddle? Because Andre said so. 🐐🎾 In this clip, Brooke Buckner reveals the inside story of becoming the first-ever Agassi x Joola signature athlete. It started with a chance meeting at a Lifetime Fitness in NYC and ended with Andre…
Imagine playing a professional sport... while 8 months pregnant. 🤯🤰 In this wild clip, Brooke Buckner breaks down the secret timeline of her pregnancy on the PPA Tour. It started with playing Singles against Anna Leigh Waters at 20 weeks (!!) before a doctor shut her down completely: "No more…
Brooke Buckner is proof that you can have it all—if you're willing to work harder than everyone else. A University of Michigan tennis legend and former D1 coach, Brooke traded the sidelines for the center court and quickly skyrocketed to the Top 5 in the world in singles. Fresh off…
Talk about being in the right place at the right time. 🤯📺 In this clip, @mattmanasse reveals the untold story of how Pickleball landed on The Tennis Channel. It wasn't a boardroom pitch or a fancy slide deck—it was a casual invite to the country club. Matt invited the C-Suite…
In this unfiltered clip, Matt Manasse dives into the delamination controversy that has plagued the pro tour. He explains how paddle technology started outpacing regulation, creating an uneven playing field where equipment—not talent—was deciding matches. Matt gives his honest take on why stricter testing is the only way to save…
Matt Manasse was born to coach. From the high-pressure courts of collegiate tennis to the glitz of the "Pickleball Coach to the Stars" moniker, Matt has a unique ability to bridge the gap between elite athletics and pure entertainment. A former high-performance tennis coach for stars like Shelby Rogers, Matt…
Pickleball Pro Jack Munro shares his "spicy signature shot": the Off-Hand ATP! 🔥 The Around The Post (ATP) is one of the toughest shots, especially on the backhand side. Jack argues that switching hands allows you to: Use a Forehand Motion for an easier angle. Hit the ball inward on…
Which is happening first: NCAA Pickleball or the Olympics? 🤔 Pro player Jack Munro weighs in on the future of the fastest-growing sport! Jack emphasizes the need for a legitimate collegiate pipeline (think scholarships & brand deals) to feed into the pro tour. He also details the huge move to…
Pickleball Pro Andrei Daescu breaks down the Erne! 🤯 He explains why this high-pressure shot is accessible to all players, not just the tall ones. Daescu's Key to the Erne: It's all about the preparation—forcing your opponent to lift the prior shot, giving you time to set your feet. The…
Jack Munro was born to innovate. From his early days as a baseball prospect to a devastating arm injury that forced him to reinvent his athletic identity, the 21-year-old phenom has been called "The APP King." Coming fresh off a record-breaking 2025 season where he captured more seven gold medals…