PPA pro Blaine Hovenier joins Fabian to talk about going from UCLA tennis and a finance master's to the pro tour, what clicked playing next to Ben Johns, and why size doesn't win at the kitchen line. Plus his signature backhand counter, his comeback from a disc injury, dream partners, a Dallas food guide for Worlds, watches, and his coffee obsession.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Blaine joins the show
01:23 Pickleball Eats & St. Louis smashburgers
02:53 Coffee-first travel
04:13 Building the Java Snobz app
06:16 UCLA tennis to Wall Street plans
10:01 First tournament reality check
12:00 Why size doesn't win
14:40 The perfect pickleball build
15:46 Going all in & signing with the PPA
18:13 Paying the bills as a new pro
20:25 The back injury
21:41 Off-court training: squats over curls
25:15 New faces on tour
26:48 Playing next to Ben Johns
28:37 Comeback plans & dream partners
31:01 What makes a great partner
34:21 Living in the comments
35:32 Worlds plans & a sprint vs. Nico
37:03 Dallas food & coffee guide
41:09 The Rolex & the pro watch chat
44:32 Signature Shot: the backhand counter
48:07 Six Zero, Skechers & a signature shoe?
50:55 Current obsession: coffee
52:58 Jimmy Butler's $50 bubble espresso
55:12 Wrap-up
🏓 Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle! Use code FABIAN10
🏓 Save 15% on an RPM Paddle! Use code FABIAN15