Are we actually fixing singles pickleball… or making it worse?

This week on... Tennis Sucks? ...we dig into one of the most controversial ideas in pro pickleball right now: shrinking the singles court. Is it a smart way to slow the game down or just a band-aid for bigger equipment and rule issues?

We’re joined by pickleball stat wizard Eric Tice to break down:

- Why singles has become so serve-plus-one heavy
- Whether smaller courts help (or hurt) athleticism
- The real problem no one wants to address
- How these changes could impact the pro game long-term

Plus, we get into MLP 2026, including:

- Draft strategy and roster flexibility
- Whether Challenger should even exist anymore
- Why Sundays might finally become must-watch
- And how team pickleball keeps pulling fans in

Plenty of opinions. A few hot takes. And probably a couple bad calls.

👇 Drop your take in the comments — is singles broken, or are we overthinking it?

From leaked paddle deals and surprise signings to retirements, fines, and bold 2026 predictions, we break down everything shaking up the pro game. We talk Franklin’s big move, Nike rumors, who might leave the tour, why ball tech could be the next battleground, and what Major League Pickleball’s growth really means. Plus: live courtside chaos, bad predictions from the internet, and at least one take we already regret.

Contracts get torn up, players wake up banned, and the pickleball world spirals. On this episode of Bad Calls, the crew breaks down the UPA contract controversy stemming from the Asia trip fallout, why some players were terminated while others weren’t, and what it all says about power, money, and control in pro pickleball. From paddle patent lawsuits and counterfeit gear to Daytona results, rising Asian talent, and why the next five years of the sport may look nothing like today—this one covers everything, with exactly zero chill.

The guys break down MLP’s new partnership with Owl AI for automated line calling, recap all the chaos from the Lakeland PPA, including a parent delivering a wildly inappropriate threat, and dive into the biggest partnerships and rumors shaping 2026, from Rachel Rohrabacher joining forces with Catherine Parenteau to Nike whispers and Challenger Series shakeups. Plus: a pickleball Christmas movie, Crescent Lake grievances, and the usual Bad Calls speculation that somehow spirals into quarterback talk.

The Johnson brothers rolled into Crescent Lake without a heads up and immediately got the full Monday night reality check.

We also cover Worlds storylines, Chris Crouch’s breakout run, a few paddle tech rumors including a big one about Anna Leigh, and the wheelchair pickleball crew that stole the show.

Tennis players hate to see him coming

Graham is a self-proclaimed monster at tennis. His floppy wrist is to be envied by all players (he says). On the pickleball side, we recap Vegas, the Lifetime Open, and whatever else comes up while roasting Travis for a full hour.

Rising pro John Lucian pulls up to Bad Calls to talk back-to-back singles wins, why deception beats pace, and how a chess habit sharpens his reads. We argue Gen 1 vs Gen 4 paddles, recap the PPA Vintage Open with wood, and ask a simple question with a messy answer: who’s the best men’s doubles player right now?

We also get into Malaysia Cup fan energy, MLP vs PPA for growth, Buccee’s road rituals, and why doubles takes longer to “solve.” Jon shares his partner plans, a perfect ACT flex, and the strategy he uses to ice opponent momentum.

The Kawamoto sisters snag gold in Cincinnati and prove that they were severely underrated! We get into why their patient style works and how parity is catching up to the big teams.

Paddles: the RPM is making noise, but UPA approval is still pending. We talk dwell time, pop, and why switching sticks mid-season can mess with your trajectory. Sacramento’s wooden-paddle event is next. After testing wood, we explain why points feel more strategic and why some spin-heavy players could struggle.

There’s plenty of pro gossip too. Will Hayden and Fed split? Are CJ and JW next? Ben teams with Alshon in Asia. Also yes, we test a grip-weight gadget on air and the name sends us off the rails. Enjoy.

We’re back at Crescent Lake and it finally isn’t raining. Travis breaks down a grueling PPA Challenger weekend, the certification chaos that has paddles swapping mid-event, and why half the new sticks are failing tests. We talk lab tour intel, the missing deflection machine saga, roll-out courts in Vegas, and whether random crowd noise should ever be a hindrance.

Graham floats a take that singles training should drop way down once you break through, and we kick around what that means for players chasing doubles partners and real paydays.

Hit the comments with two things: do you prefer indoor studio faces or Crescent Lake vibes, and do you want live court segments back next episode?

Andre Daescu just went full beast mode at MLP Finals in New York. He didn’t just win, he dominated. We’re talking flawless men’s play, carrying the Sliders, and even making Anna Leigh look human. So we had to ask… is Daescu officially the best men’s player in the world right now?

We break down the finals weekend, debate the Ben vs. Andre argument, talk about the wild DreamBreaker drama, and even dive into some spicy team roster rumors for next season. Plus, we share some behind the scenes stories from NYC and what’s coming next for MLP.

Let us know in the comments where you stand on the Daescu vs. Ben conversation.

Pros are buzzing about the new Lifetime ball, calling it the most consistent pickleball they’ve played with. We break down why it’s getting so much love and how it stacks up against the competition. Plus, we dive into the new Lifetime Singles Open, a true open event with no UPA contract required. That means we could see ATP players, unsigned pros, and fresh faces battling it out for a big cash prize.

A new player collective is forming in pro pickleball, aiming to represent athletes, push for safety standards, and have a bigger say in how the sport is run. We break down who’s involved, what they want, and why it’s already creating tough decisions for some of the game’s biggest names.

Pros are raving about the new Lifetime pickleball for one simple reason, consistency. We break down how it compares to other balls, why it feels different on every shot, and why some players think it’s a total game changer.

What’s the ideal build for a top pickleball pro? Speed, reach, height — short, tall, lanky, or compact… what do you think?

This week we cover everything from rowdy Utah crowds heckling pros to why Dallas might have been the loudest MLP event ever. We get into why Ben Johns will dominate with a wooden paddle, who we think should be the top men’s doubles pairing, and whether pro pickleball players are actually making too much money.

Ben Johns gets traded to the Mad Drops… and the league kind of melted down. Was it collusion? Was it smart business? Depends on who you ask.

We break down the shady-looking deal, the $400K+ price tag, and what it means for MLP's top teams. Oh, and did someone really offer $25K to throw a Challenger match? Yep. That too.

Plus:
– The Shock vs Flash rivalry heats up
– Tyra takes a tumble
– AJ Kohler is lob-core now
– Travis fails the paddle test (again)
– And we rate the hottest players in pickleball (yes, really)

It’s all chaos, and we’re here for it.

We’re back from New York and we’ve got stories. The venue didn't smell great, one of us might be kidnapped by now, and someone definitely ordered Domino’s in NYC. We talk DreamBreakers, Collin Johns dominating Challenger, Sam Querry entering the chat, and yeah… someone stole Rachel's Labubu. This one’s all over the place, but that’s kinda the point.

We break down Travis’ intentional hook at PPA San Clemente. Yes, it was on purpose, and no, he’s not sorry. Plus: new Smash teammates and more Labubu controversy.

A $50,000 fine made the news this week, we break down what happened, why it matters, and whether the punishment fits the moment. Then it’s on to MLP Austin and Daytona: the wins and the rise (and stumble) of some surprising teams.

The Florida Smash made their debut in the new format — we’ve got a full recap, plus thoughts on what’s clicking, what’s not, and why rally scoring just isn’t bringing the juice.

We also get into the latest gear (including a surprisingly good butt cap), some questionable line calls, and the growing list of MLP quirks, from smoke machines to Saturday Night showdowns.

New jerseys, big heads, and even bigger drama. The Bad Calls crew is on-site at the Racket Club of St. Pete, where they break down Florida Smash’s new look (and unexpected OnlyFans followers), recap a chaotic Atlanta event, and unpack everything from Anna Bright’s sideline stares to a new ball that’s quietly transforming singles. Plus: CJ Klinger’s breakout, Nelson-level drama at the U.S. Open, and the Smash’s MLP return. Oh—and did we mention Carlos Alcaraz? Let’s go.

Hayden Padugruin joins the pod to break down the most talked-about moment of the MLP season, his court side clash with Anna Leigh Waters. From what was said and why, to how things escalated and what he wishes he’d done differently, Hayden gives his unfiltered side of the story. We talk chirping, double standards, apologies, and whether this kind of fire is good—or bad—for the sport. No PR spin. Just the raw version, straight from the source.

What happens when a tennis legend becomes your pickleball student? In this episode, the guys break down playing with Andre Agassi, who’s now texting them midweek to ask about off-arm mechanics.

We dive into Agassi’s upcoming U.S. Open debut with Anna Leigh Waters (yep, that’s happening), which teams might actually give them trouble, and why the whole thing might blow the roof off ticket sales.

Also in this episode:

- MLP Orlando predictions and team chaos rankings
- A surprisingly smart take from Anna Bright on the current men’s doubles meta
- Pickleball parents: When sideline support goes too far

Subscribe and catch our recap next week from MLP Orlando.

Watch the full interview on @badcallspod

Andre talks about how pickleball requires a different type of control

Steffi is grinding the drills in pickleball and plays a very "edgy game" according to Agassi.

In this special episode of Bad Calls, we sit down with tennis legend Andre Agassi to talk about how pickleball unexpectedly reignited his competitive spirit, reshaped his daily life, and gave him a new sense of purpose.

Agassi opens up about:
• How he discovered pickleball during lockdown
• Why it became more than just a hobby
• His honest thoughts on the sport’s growth, culture, and competitive ceiling
• Playing (and drilling) with Steffi
• His investment in the future of pickleball through DUPR, Lifetime, and JOOLA
• The real mental and physical toll of tennis — and how pickleball changed that

This isn’t just a story about a new sport. It’s a story about finding yourself again after the lights go out.

What's next for Catherine & Rachel? Can we see a revenge tour for the new pair? We break it down in a special episode.

This week on Bad Calls, we break down an awkward panel at RacquetX — where execs got a little heated.

Also in this episode:

• Luz paddle controversy

• Utah tournament recap: wind, wild momentum shifts, and a mixed gold for Dekel & Paris

• Challenger Series vs APP – which one’s the real path to pro?

• Discord drama at 3AM over paddle handles

👉 Like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts: Should the pros and amateurs use the same paddles? And what would YOU have named the Hogs?

Is trash talk dying in pickleball? Are hand battles officially over thanks to paddle technology? And who the hell is Lucien Goins, and how did he just take down Ben Johns?! In this episode of Bad Calls, Travis and Graham break down the wildest storylines from the Cape Coral and Texas Open tournaments—wind-induced chaos, paddle controversies, and major upsets.

We dive deep into why some top teams are struggling, why Tyra Black might be the fastest player in the sport, and whether playing with your significant other is a good idea or a recipe for disaster. Plus, a heated debate on the new “Red Dot” replay system—is it actually accurate, or is it just another bad call?

Travis and Graham talk through the MLP draft process and how they picked the players for the Florida Smash. They also react to the new premier team rosters, with some winners & some losers.

Not a fantastic weekend for Travis in Mesa - he tests the newest paddle challenge rule in his mixed doubles game. Plus, Graham walks us through the incoming rule for player stealing in major league pickleball.

Say goodbye to rally scoring and hello to 6 player rosters for premier teams. Graham and Travis get into the details of the changes and what it'll mean for the league.

Travis and Graham recap the Masters Tournament, covering key matches, windy conditions, and standout performances. They discuss the Selkirk 08 paddle controversy, UPA paddle regulations, and Ben Johns’ headhunting moment against Quang Duong. Other topics include Shick’s return to medical school, Federico Staksrud’s switch to Adidas paddles, lawsuits involving paddle companies, and the impact of the California fires.

Vote for us in the Dink Awards at https://dinkawards.com
(Also Travis for Best Dressed)

Let us know who you think Ben should partner with in the comments.

Let's just say there was some confusion over last week's bet. Nevertheless, Graham and Travis both decided to give $100 to stop Alzheimers now. This week we talk through the highlights of the finals and some predictions for Daytona and 2025 partnerships.

Ok so we don't get it right every time but hey at least we're honest about it! Let us know who you think is going to win this bet on the PPA finals predictions.

Well, Graham & Travis didn't get a single prediction right for the MLP final so why not make even more predictions on who will get dropped by their team next season?

If you're reading this, let us know how many points you think you're going to get on Quong in singles or which shot you're working on right now.

The Sherbear himself (Ryan Sherry) stops Crescent Lake and chats with us about all the great things he almost made it to. Not all as a result of eating too much Bluebell Ice Cream. After, Travis talks us through what really went down during that quarter final match.

This week we welcomed Jaume and Layne to the Crescent Lake courts to talk about their rise in pickleball, how they think they performed in MLP, and how they would improve the sport if they were commissioner.

Let us know what you think of their ideas in the comments 👇

Donald Young walks us through his transition to pickleball, including the expectations vs reality. Graham and Travis also reflect on how the Smash have performed so far and what's next for them in 2025.

If you’re reading this, drop a question in the comments and we may ask it on next weeks’ pod.

Should we let players get angry on court without technical warnings? Or is it a bad look for the sport?

Maybe texted a little too soon after the PPA finals.

Graham has a different take on the 3rd generation of pickleball paddles

Just when you thought you saw the best pickleball match of all time, we get one even better. Is there anything better than a rivalry like this? Let us know in the comments.

This week, Graham and Travis talk about the one good thing to come out of the Gen 3 paddles. They also talk through the real issues affecting the value of the Major League Product. Do you think it’s losing it’s flavor? Or is it still the best tour out there?

If you’re reading this, drop a question in the comments and we may ask it on next weeks’ pod.

This week we talk about potential favoritism with certain players on tour. Plus, Travis and Graham recap Virginia Beach and how the Smash are shaping up for MLP Miami.

Travis and Graham break down the team chemistry for MLP New York City after their first appearance with Christa Gecheva and Donald Young.

After a not so stellar run at PPA Vegas, Travis capitalized on the opportunity to play with Andre Agassi and has a definitive report card on his skills.

Have a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it below 👇

Should we allow hot pickleball paddles?

Will paddles get hotter? Does testing even work? This week we ask Jason Aspes, president of the UPA-A, his take on pickleball paddles, the state of testing, and future of the sport.

What's your take, should the serve be utilized as a weapon or just to put the bal in play?

We've got to talk about how this sport is going to move forward at the professional level if we don't invest in technology at the lines.

You just can't be too careful what you say these days... although somebody should tell that to Travis. We're back from an unfortunately long break but recapping all the stuff we've missed - did you miss us? Drop some questions in the comments and we'll answer them next week.

It has nothing to do with Sesame Street!

A recap of MLP and PPA Atlanta highlights one of the latest issues in pickleball, bad line calls.

Follow us on Instagram @tennissucks

Live from Major League Pickleball Atlanta, we sit down with pro-player Andrei Daescu & Charles Darling, CEO of Proton Paddles. We talk about the rise of Proton, what inspired them to jump into paddle technology, and Daescu got connected with them.

We may be biased but we're putting good money on the Smash taking the whole thing. Who are your top teams for premier and challenger?

Who do you think is the best chirper in pickleball?

Travis rates the best chirpers in the pickleball PPA Tour. He also reveals what he was and wasn't allowed to say about the new Joola Gen 3 paddles when commentating on Collin John's match. Finally, could we see a battle of the pickleball podcasts? Let us know what you think the comments.

In case you missed it: https://youtu.be/DAqMYOeSyBM?si=3_cP8Hdop4eaHe29

What are your thoughts on the new Joola Gen 3 paddles? Are these super powerful and gritty paddles good for the game?

After not drafting in premier, Travis becomes the steal of the century for the Florida Smash, making the team a force to be reckoned with this Major League Pickleball season. We also look back at PPA North Carolina and talk highlights, lowlights, and upsets.

Sometimes you gotta go full send in pickleball (maybe)

Building the Ultimate Premier Team... looking awfully familiar there, Travis.

Will we be seeing more of Purple Jesus in pickleball?

Major league pickleball is drafting today - here is what you need to know.

With so many pros dropping out of Major League Pickleball - who is even left to draft? Travis and Graham talk through the roster of the signed (and unsigned) players ahead of this week's draft.

What do you think about Jack's paddle rule idea for pickleball tournaments?

This week we interview one of the most entertaining players to watch in pickleball. Why do you think Jack's transition was so successful compared to other tennis players?

How can they enforce this?

What do you think about these new pairings?

Graham reaches peak Florida man by using the pool as his shower after summer pickleball

Do most recreational players even realize their paddles are delaminated?

Have you noticed recreational pickleball being affected by delamination? Let us know. Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuBFSGsviGw

Travis Rettenmaier weighs in on whether paddles are changing the nuances of pickleball for the worse.

Is Sam the funniest guy in pickleball? Watch our full episode with him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zjERRQse6Y

Money match between the Orlando Squeeze legends and the part-owners of the Florida Smash. We're bummed that the camera didn't capture the final game but we hope you enjoy watching the match. Let us know if you'd like us to record more games like this.

Watch the full Tennis Sucks episode by clicking here: https://youtu.be/bmGUftSiCbQ?si=4lQsKUZV9MSVfmP3

Top ten pro Travis Rettenmaier walks through part 1 of his regular drilling series. This starts with a simple head-on dinking drill that can be played competitively. The key to this drill is not passively dinking back-and-forth but taking up space, being aggressive at the kitchen line and taking balls out of the air as much as possible.

Follow for part 2 of this series.

This week, we recap the PPA Vegas tournament, including some recent controversy over paddle testing… Travis explains how the PPA race for the finals is going and Graham talks us through the recent MLP shuffle draft, including the thought process behind player trades. Stay tuned.

This week, we recap the APP Atlanta Open which has some suprising results in the mens final and a few very questionable line calls. Plus, do people fight on your home courts? Travis puts out a PSA for good behavior when playing pickleball. And finally, we review some of the latest switches in pro paddle sponsorships.

This week, we recap all things MLP Atlanta – including the performance of the Florida Smash and Travis on the Texas Ranchers. Will we see some trades coming before next event? Plus, can the sound of pickleball be reduced – USPA seems to think so. Stay Tuned.

00:00 Into
02:30 MLP PPA Merger?
04:25 MLP Australia
06:24 Cincinnati PPA Recap
12:05 Round ‘Em Up Raffa Hewitt
14:28 Wilson & Newman Pairing
16:13 Deflate Gate
21:55 Another Heavy Dura Update
22:45 Travis Paddle Sponsorship
26:20 MLP Atlanta Pools Released

This week we answer questions submitted by our listeners on the Pickleball Tour Wars, including, ‘Where the Heck is the APP in all this?” – Plus, Graham comes up with a rather interesting name for our fans.

00:00 Intro
00:57 Congrats to Smash Hat Winner
01:49 Win Atlanta MLP Tickets
02:40 Graham Names the Tennis Sucks Fans
04:40 Where the Heck is The APP?
09:16 Can Pros Finally Move Out of Their Parent’s Houses?
12:46 Will MLP Hold Regular Singles/Doubles Events?
17:24 Will PPA Players Jump Ship to MLP?
18:50 Are The New PPA Signees Even Real?
20:00 Will There be a MLP Redraft?
21:10 Will We Ever Have Permanent MLP Teams?
25:30 Who Are The Guys in the Podcast Logo?
26:06 The Big 5 Go MLP!
29:10 Who is Left to Go MLP?
30:50 Is Travis Playing PPA Again?

This week, we host a special episode to look back on one of the wildest weekends in Pickleball history. Travis and Graham talk about the behind-the-scenes of all the PPA and MLP signings, including their predictions for what’s next for the sport.

This episode was filmed right before the Hurricane hit the Florida coast so if you’re in the first few rows, it may get a little wet and noisy – thanks for tuning in.

00:00 Intro
01:22 Graham's DUPR goes down?!
02:50 Graham's Pro Debut
05:13 PPA Venues
06:46 Graham's Now a Celebrity
10:18 Paddle Troubles at TOC
14:32 Catherine is Back
17:12 Ignatowich Throws Up After Match
18:05 Tyson is a Machine
22:40 Smith Drafted to Pioneers
24:54 Travis' Insane Behind-The-Back Shot
26:27 The Secret "Heavy Dura"
30:18 Kansas City Event Predictions

We join the celebrity boxing match trend by asking the question, which pickleball pros would beat Travis in a fight? Plus, Graham is making his pro debut at Tournament of Champions in Utah this week.

00:00 Intro & Welcome to Danae
07:15 Dominique Schafer Takes Singles Gold
08:24 Mick and Clinger Take Mens Gold
09:24 Travis Needs a New Partner for TOC
14:06 The Scoop on DURA Pro Balls
19:15 White/Gold Paddle Ban
22:20 Pickleball Pro Fights

00:00 Intro
03:05 Anna Leigh Upset
04:48 Johns' Bros Upset
05:35 Graham's Conspiracy Theory
08:33 Matt & Riley Breakup Update
11:21 Florida Smash Results at Takeya
13:25 Yana is Back Again
14:50 Graham's on PEDs
16:38 PPA Backdraw
18:09 PPA Paddle Testing Update
21:18 The Future is Pickleball Malls
22:55 Travis' Pro Athlete at 40
25:20 Upcoming Tournaments

This week we meet with Rachel Rohrabacher on her surprise premier draft to the Orlando squeeze. She lets us in on the behind-the-scenes conversations leading up to the draft. Plus, we theorize on why the John's lost their recent doubles match in Seattle and whether Lea will be quitting singles forever. Tune in.

00:00 Intro
01:12 Matt & Riley Breakup Results
06:00 Lea Jenson Quits Singles
07:33 Rachel on her Singles Game
09:13 John's Bros Loss in Seattle
13:00 Proxr Paddle Contraversy
16:55 Pablo Tellez Screen-Gate
18:45 Rachel's Background & Intro to Pickleball
22:59 Rachel on MLP Draft

Travis and Graham react to the MLP draft, including Travis' switch to the Ranchers. We also dive into the recent injuries in Pickleball - can you get concussed by a pickleball? Travis gets injured stretching, and $40mil is spent on pickleball injuries a year?

00:00 Intro
00:20 MLP Draft
02:50 Florida Smash Draft
10:43 Travis on Ranchers
15:35 Rachel Rohrabacher Premier Draft
18:18 Worst MLP Drafted Teams
20:40 Recap of Beer City
21:40 Tyra Black Falling Down
23:45 Injuries in Pickleball
25:24 Jessie Irvine Concussion?
27:30 Travis' Injury
29:13 Travis and Lea Split

00:00 Intro
06:19 Paris Todd back in MLP
07:43 Travis' Dream MLP Premier Team
12:03 APP California Recap
16:20 Does the Transition Zone Exist?
18:49 Are Practice Partners the Key to Winning?
21:18 Florida Smash Challenger Draft
24:05 Kyle Yates' Not Playing MLP
25:20 Graham Goes Viral
30:23 New MLP CEO & COO
33:00 Dedication to Late Dan Tillwick

Dive into this latest podcast episode, where Graham and Travis recap yet another unforgettable MLP in San Clemente including the ups and downs of the upcoming Challenger draft. They theorize about how wind and temperature conditions could be the game-changing factor for pro Pickleball, the future of rally scoring at the PPA, and who Matt & Riley will partner with post-breakup. Finally, Travis gets a lesson on pop culture from Graham and producer Luke on the recent submarine incident. Don't miss it.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:38 PPA San Clemente Recap
07:28 MLP Recap
13:38 MLPalooza
19:20 Florida Smash Standings
28:29 Riley and Matt Breakup
35:03 MLP Out-ball Rules
38:41 MLP Freeze Rules
43:40 Rally Scoring at PPA
45:20 Travis' Reaction to the Titanic Submarine

This week, Travis and Graham, along with their guest and pickleball trainer for the pros, Connor Derrickson, break down everything from the latest tournaments and matches to exclusive training tips and behind-the-scenes details.

First up, the hosts dive into the exciting MLP bracket where Florida Smash face off against the Hard Eights, the Mashers, and the Hustlers. Travis even shares his thoughts on which teams are overrated. The crew analyzes their own team's chances of coming out on top in their pool, including upgrades like new players Kyle Yates and Vivian David. And, of course, they can't help but discuss Graham's weight and fitness training with Connor as he gets ready for MLPalooza.

Speaking of training, Connor shares his expert tips on strength and agility training for pickleball players, emphasizing the importance of individualized plans based on skill level and training age. He also touches on the lateral plane of movement in the sport and the benefits of consistency in finding a fitness routine.

Travis dives in on the latest updates of 'paddle-gate' and what really happened after the Red Rocks testing came back.

Thank you to Selkirk and Sunday Swagger for sponsoring this episode!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:05 MLP Bracket
03:47 Into to Connor Derrickson
06:00 MLP San Clemente
09:08 Recap of Atlanta Open
12:41 Graham's Fitness Journey
14:39 Do all Pros need Pickleball Trainers?
18:20 Travis' Documentary
22:45 NML & Paddlegate Update
26:04 APP Name Change
29:21 Too many Pickleball Podcasts?
33:30 Graham's Tennis Elbow

Travis and Graham dive into all things PPA seeding system. Is it fair for some players and not others? We explore the ins and outs of the ranking system and factors in the level of tournament and performance.

We also discuss the highly anticipated arrival of the talented Ryan Sherry, known as 'SherBear,' coming to Crescent Lake and lovely surprise he left on Travis' couch.

Graham laments about his coach in the upcoming MLPalooza event, as well as giving the scoop on side-betting happening with the coaches.

So what are you waiting for? Tune in.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro & Graham's Fitness Progress
1:56 PPA Seeding System
10:00 Steve Deiken Playing Singles in Atlanta
10:50 Andrei Daescu's New Viking Paddle
14:14 MLPalooza Draft
23:12 Surprise Visit from Ryan 'Sherbear' Sherry
27:24 Tim Parks and the PPA
31:23 Hairspray on Your Paddle

Fresh off a great weekend at the PPA North Carolina Open, Trav is in high spirits and especially talkative on this week's episode of the Tennis Sucks Podcast.

Trav and Graham talk all things PPA North Carolina Open; including Jack Sock, Trav and Deakin's third place finish, and numerous other topics. They touch on Trav's impressive fearlessness to challenge any paddle and why Trav is a big reason that paddle testing is making such rapid improvements. Lastly the boys discuss the results of the recent MLP shuffle draft in depth and roast some GM's in the process.

As usual, this is not an episode you will want to miss!

Tennis Sucks is hosted by Pro Pickleballer/MLP team owner Travis Rettenmaier and best friend/MLP team co-owner Graham D'Amico on location at Crescent Lake Park in beautiful St. Petersburg, FL.

Thank you for tuning in!
--------------------
0:00 - Intro
1:40 - Rettenmaier & Deakin Bronze Medal Finish
3:50 - PPA North Carolina Open Recap
12:51 - Will Jack Sock Play MLP Season 2?
13:50 - Trav the Delam Paddle Avenger
20:50 - Has Pickleball Reached a Speed Threshold?
23:34 - Trav Got Things Moving with Paddle Testing
25:23 - MLP Shuffle Draft Results Discussion
35:14 - The Opposite of Love is Not Hate; it’s indifference
38:48 - Shoutout to Ellie

On this week's episode, the boys endure the heat of the Florida sun to get the Tennis Sucks faithful their weekly fix of hot Pickleball takes.

They talk Newport Beach Doubles Shootout, US Open 2023, the Pablo Tellez situation, predictions for Jack Sock's pro debut and give some very questionable coaching to a couple of Tennis Sucks listeners.

As usual, this is not an episode you will want to miss!

Tennis Sucks is hosted by Pro Pickleballer/MLP team owner Travis Rettenmaier and best friend/MLP team co-owner Graham D'Amico on location at Crescent Lake Park in beautiful St. Petersburg, FL.

Thank you for tuning in!
--------------------
0:00 - Intro
2:40 - Newport Doubles Shootout Recap
13:43 - US Open 2023 Discussion
16:50 - Is the PPA Fudging Streaming Numbers?
20:15 - Does Singles Still Matter?
22:30 - Overrated & Underrated
29:12 - Jack Sock Pro Debut Predictions
30:15 - Lester Cook Pro Debut
31:39 - Questionable Coaching

The boys are back at Crescent Lake after a brief hiatus and have A LOT to discuss.

Fresh off the plane from Utah, Travis offers his perspective on the drama that transpired over the weekend at the PPA Red Rock Open. He and Graham discuss all things delamination, Travis’ match against Tyson, the hurdles of being an owner/player in the MLP and much more.

Travis also provides some insider info regarding the “Peeing in the Planter-gate” and talks additional Pickleball gossip!

This is not an episode you will want to miss!

Tennis Sucks is hosted by Pro Pickleballer/MLP team owner Travis Rettenmaier and best friend/MLP team co-owner Graham D'Amico on location at Crescent Lake Park in beautiful St. Petersburg, FL.

Thank you for tuning in!
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0:00 - Intro
1:28 - PPA Red Rock Open/Paddle Drama
2:40 - Trav discusses the Tyson controversy
5:38 - Is on-site paddle testing coming anytime soon?
8:23 - Talking all things paddles and delamination
16:25 - Tyson retakes the throne in Utah
20:00 - More PPA Red Rock Open recap/discussion
26:52 - Trav talks upcoming partners
28:50 - Smash & Night Owls trade chat
31:30 - Don’t sleep on rally scoring!
32:50 - The Challenger level has some issues
36:26 - Playing & owning - can’t have it all
40:33 - Is Trav in favor of removing singles?
42:30 - Is there a different feel when Ben & ALW sit out?
43:20 - Peeing in the planter-gate
47:23 - Insane prices to play Pickleball in Central Park
48:56 - No top pros this year at the US Open
51:58 - Daytona MLP discussion
58:12 - Pickleball Elbow is very real
59:50 - Learn to be athletic like Graham with this simple trick!
1:01:30 - Tennis Sucks Pod now offering free coaching!

This is a re-upload of last week's episode. Apologies for the technical difficulties. Enjoy the full length episode without the cutoff!

On this week's episode, the boys are back at Crescent Lake and are gearing up for the second MLP event of the year in Daytona, FL.

A lot has transpired in the Pickleball world since the boys last had a proper Crescent Lake sit down. Lucky for us, Trav was quite the chatterbox on this particular evening and provides the Tennis Sucks listeners with some great insight into the ever-evolving world of Professional Pickleball. Graham also gives some insight.... But mostly into his 5.0 Bronze finish in men's doubles at PPA Daytona.

Tune in to hear the boys discuss all things cheating including: PED's, paddle delamination and line calling. They also recap the last few PPA events, provide a comprehensive overview of the upcoming MLP event on their home turf and touch on Parenteau and Jorja's recent domination on the court among many other topics.

Tennis Sucks is hosted by Pro Pickleballer/MLP team owner Travis Rettenmaier and best friend/MLP team co-owner Graham D'Amico on location at Crescent Lake Park in beautiful St. Petersburg, FL.

Thank you for tuning in!
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0:00 - Intro

2:30 - Recent PPA Recap

3:25 - Anna Bright Partner Drama

5:10 - DJ Young Paddle Throw

7:02 - Collin Shick

7:53 - Parenteau on Fire

8:48 - More Collin Shick

10:07 - More Parenteau

11:40 - Trav Pickled Julian Arnold in Singles!

12:10 - Mad Drops Players Seeing Huge Results Since MLP Win

13:16 - Upcoming MLP Daytona Discussion

18:35 - A Little Producer Ro Praise

19:28 - Cheating In Pickleball ~ Line Calls

23:14 - PED’s & Illegal Paddles

27:18 - Trav & The Amazon Man Daytona Partnership

29:11 - Trav & Graham Have a Classic BFF Debate

30:29 - Jorja Johnson Has Been on a Tear!

31:32 - The Nationals Move to Dallas

32:58 - MLP Daytona Death Pool

On this week’s episode, the boys are joined by arguably the best player in the world and by far the better Johns brother, Collin Johns.

Brought to you from the backyard of the Florida Smash Picklepad in Mesa, AZ. Collin sits down with the Tennis Sucks crew and provides a very interesting look into his background and current position as one of the highest ranked players in the world.

The group discusses a number of topics including: Collin's Tennis and Ping Pong background, playing MLP in 2023 for the Florida Smash, Hannah John's Pro Pickleball future and his thoughts on playing with the Rattlesnake.

As a member of the Pickleball powerhouse that is the Johns family, Collin shares some anecdotes that give an in-depth look into how he and Ben became two of the most elite Pickleballers to ever play the sport.

To conclude the episode, Trav gives an update on his 2v1 match for 100k against NML Pickleball!

Special thanks to Collin for giving us some of his time and to Major League Pickleball for allowing us to use their game footage and for putting on the best Pro Pickleball events in the world!

Thanks for tuning in!
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0:00 - Intro
1:50 - Collin’s Tennis Background
6:45 - Transitioning From Tennis to Pickleball
7:50 - Collin’s Lethal Lefty Forehand
11:27 - Collin’s Ping Pong Background
14:00 - How Ben and Collin Used Ping Pong to Become Elite Pickleballers
15:52 - Will Learning the Lefty Forehand Help Producer Ro Not Suck?
16:22 - Collin’s Geographical Background
17:30 - Collin’s Thoughts on the MLP Draft
20:16 - Why Ben Passed on Collin in the Draft
22:07 - The Boys Discuss Collin’s Game
28:26 - Collin Talks Playing Mixed w/Jessie Irvine
30:16 - The Importance of MLP to Collin
32:00 - Collin’s Thoughts on Bravado & Trash Talk
32:45 - When AJ Koller Hit Trav in the Face
33:20 - Collin’s Thoughts on Hannah Going Pro
35:24 - Collin Attempting to Say Good Things About Trav
36:46 - Trav v NML Update

On this week's episode, the boys are joined by one of Pickleball's biggest influencers, Tropickle Pickleball. Rarely seen in front of the camera, Nick is known for his off the cuff, sometimes vulgar, Michigander Pickleball commentary. Over the course of the past year, Nick and the Tennis Sucks boys have built a strong rapport, so much so, that he chose the Tennis Sucks Podcast for his first "official" face reveal!

Brought to you live from Major League Pickleball in Mesa, AZ during a match between the Brooklyn Aces and the Utah Black Diamonds; join Travis, Graham and Producer Ro as they sit down and shoot the sh*t with the social media legend in the making.

The group discusses a number of topics including: Roasting the pros, Nick's Pickleball background, his giant stature, MLP, how he met Travis and Graham and how Pickleball commentary can be improved.

We also get some live Tropickle commentary during the podcast and the Tennis Sucks Court Cam catches a great view of some intense drama between the Brooklyn Aces and the Utah Black Diamonds!

Special thank you to Nick for hanging with us and for the always hilarious commentary. If you haven't seen his stuff, you are seriously missing out, so please do below. You will not regret it!

https://instagram.com/tropickleball?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Also Florida Smash Merch is finally available for all of the awesome Smash fans that tune into the pod. Check it out below and make sure to pick some up before the next event in Daytona at the end of March!

https://floridasmash.com/merch

Lastly thank you to Rob and Stone for clearing up the mayhem on the court between the Black Diamonds and the Aces. Check out the rest of the episode below to hear the full story!

https://youtu.be/R22XJsjz1T8
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Time Stamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:20 - Travis Has Separation Anxiety
1:30 - Tropical Reveal
2:00 - Do Trav Lessons Have Any Real Value?
3:25 - The Life of a Big Shot Influencer
3:33 - Court Drama
4:42 - The Guys Behind Tropickle
5:00 - How the Boys Met Nick
8:30 - The Origin of the Rattlesnake Nickname
10:00 - Just Shootin’ the Sh*t
11:30 - More Court Drama
15:10 - Rob & Stone Explain the Drama
20:00 - Pickleball Scene in Michigan
21:55 - How Addicted to Pickleball is Nick?
24:00 - Producer Ro Gets Roasted
24:51 - Even More Court Drama
26:30 - How Pickleball Has Impacted Nick’s Life
29:20 - Pickleball Commentary Improvements
34:50 - MLP Chat with Tropickle
37:55 - Producer Ro Was Caught Off Guard By Nick’s Monstrous Size