Bad Calls is where pickleball talk meets questionable judgment. Hosted by Graham D’Amico and Travis Rettenmaier—co-owners of Major League Pickleball’s Florida Smash and self-proclaimed experts in bad decisions—this show is a mix of unfiltered takes, trash talk, and whatever else comes to mind between games. Travis is a top PPA pro and a former pro tennis player, which gives him just enough confidence to think he knows what he’s talking about. Graham? Well, he’s got opinions. Recorded at Cres ...
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Hayden Padugruin joins the pod to break down the most talked-about moment of the MLP season—his courtside 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 f…
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Agassi’s Playing the U.S. Open… and We’re Kinda Coaching Him?
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34:04What 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 who…
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Andre Agassi: Pickleball Lit a Fire in Me
1:25:34
1:25:34
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1:25:34In 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…
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Anna Leigh Waters & Catherine Parenteau Split
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16:56
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16:56What's next for Catherine & Rachel? Can we see a revenge tour for the new pair? We break it down in a special episode.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Pickleball Execs Get Heated at RacquetX 🔥
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36:41
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36:41This 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,…
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Hand Battles & Trash Talk Are Dying in Pickleball
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41:20
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41:20Is 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 ma…
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Drafting the Florida Smash & Reaction to MLP Rosters
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39:44Travis 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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Travis' Controversial Challenge in Mesa & New Player Stealing Rule in Major League Pickleball
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43:22
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43:22Not 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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Major League Pickleball Says Goodbye to Rally Scoring
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43:53
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43:53Say 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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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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, lawsuit…
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Vote for us in The Dink Awards for Best Podcast — dinkawards.comBy Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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PPA Finals Reaction & Predictions for 2025
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37:50
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37:50Let'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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Setting the record straight & predicting PPA finals
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39:48
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39:48Ok so we don't get it right every time but hey at least we're honest about it! Go to our IG for a chance to win the FlickWizard jersey.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Reacting to the MLP final & predicting who is getting dropped
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38:46
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38:46Well, 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?By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Pickleballer kicked in the head after a match
42:21
42:21
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42:21The whole world has seen it, the viral video of a pickleball player being kicked in the head. Travis and Graham break down what happened and explain what happened leading up to the incident.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Bad Calls and Wake Up Calls featuring Ryan Sherry
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41:08
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41:08The 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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Making Pickleball More Entertaining ft. Jaume Martinez Vich & Layne Sleeth
51:54
51:54
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51:54This 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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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From Tennis to Pickleball ft. Donald Young
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42:20
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42:20From the US Open semi-finals to the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball, Donald Young talks through his transition to the sport and what the reality is vs his expectations.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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This Rivalry Will Make Pickleball Successful
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41:30
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41:30Just 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 Produ…
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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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Did the trades pay off? MLP New York City Recap
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42:19
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42:19Travis and Graham break down the team chemistry for MLP New York City after their first appearance with Christa Gecheva and Donald Young.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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The future of paddle testing with UPA-A President Jason Aspes
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47:11
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47:11This week we ask Jason Aspes, president of the UPA-A, his take on pickleball paddles, the state of testing, and future of the sport.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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New serving rule coming to the PPA? Plus, the new players traded to the Smash
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48:07
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48:07Will we be seeing a new serving rule come to the PPA? Travis and Graham talk through whether the serve should be a weapon in pickleball. Plus, we go behind the scenes on the trades to the Florida Smash.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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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?By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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A recap of MLP and PPA Atlanta highlights one of the latest issues in pickleball, bad line calls. Travis and Graham talk through the future of the Florida Smash and we even get a brief history lesson on the "Bert". Follow us on Instagram @tennissucksBy Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Travis and Graham's Predictions for MLP Atlanta
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43:08
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43:08We 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?By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Travis gives a rundown of the best chirpers in pickleball along with the do's and don'ts of getting spicy on the court.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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"It literally felt like I was playing with a tennis racket"
32:17
32:17
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32:17The boys react to the new Joola Gen 3 Paddles - do you think this is a step in the right direction for paddle technology? They also recap the Houston Open and talk through the latest MLP trade.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Travis is back on the Smash! Behind the scenes of the MLP draft.
41:18
41:18
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41:18After 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 MLP season. We also look back at PPA North Carolina and talk highlights, lowlights, and upsets.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Jack Sock on his Transition to Pickleball
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51:01
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51:01This week we get on the phone with Jack Sock to talk about his transition into pickleball and whether he's really having the best time while out their playing. He also has some words of advice for Travis on his game.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Cheating in Minnesota? Plus Looking Ahead at Austin PPA
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34:01
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34:01We recap PPA Indoor Minnesota and talk about what it'll take for Travis to get on the podium. Plus there's a rumor that a certain paddle company won't let unsigned pros play with their paddle.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Mergers, Buy-Outs, & Contracts Yet to Be Signed
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47:04
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47:04Major League Pickleball is back! Travis and Graham share their reactions to the merge and share some rumors of players who never signed.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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"I feel like it took the life out of me" ft. Lea Jansen
44:34
44:34
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44:34Get 15% off your Rukpack with code Rattlesnake15 at Rukpack.com Use code Rattlesnake20 to get 20% off your Engage paddle at engagepickleball.comBy Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Get 15% off your Rukpack.com with code Rattlesnake15 Join the Tampa Bay Lightning Pickleball event: https://e.givesmart.com/events/Avv/i/_All/By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Use code Rattlesnake15 to get 15% off your Rukpack at Rukpack.comBy Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Travis is ready to Nasty Nelson at the PPA Masters
32:58
32:58
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32:58Welcome to Tennis Sucks - Use code Rattlesnake15 to get 15% off your Rukpack at Rukpack.com. This week we recount the trouble we got in for announcing the ball deals too soon, the updates on MLP draft and format, and predictions for the PPA Masters this week.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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New official balls, APP rule changes, and surprising 2024 matchups. ft. Alix Troung
35:06
35:06
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35:06Get 15% off your own Rukpak using code rattlesnake15 at Rukpack.com Welcome to Tennis Sucks, a pickleball podcast by Travis Rettenmaier and Graham D’Amico. This week, we get to know APP star and MLP challenger player Alix Troung. Alix shares her thoughts on the tour wars from the perspective of an APP player, deep dives into the changes to the tour…
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Get 15% off your Ruk Backpack with code Rattlesnake15 @ Rukpack.com Play the Frenchy's Pickled Grouper Classic on Jan 26-28 (Register at pickledgrouperclassic.com)By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Get 15% off your Ruk backpack with code Rattlesnake15: https://rukpack.com/ This week, MLP players create a representation group to create more leverage at the negotiating table as they’ve been asked to sign new contracts and take pay cuts. Are MLP players being treated unfairly compared to PPA players? Stay tuned to find out.…
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Welcome to Tennis Sucks, a pickleball podcast by Travis Rettenmaier and Graham D’Amico. This week, we talk player cuts from Major League Pickleball and PPA. Travis’ gives us an idea of how the players are feeling and his predictions for the future. We also get caught up on that AJ Kohler story that broke a few weeks back and Graham tells us that we…
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"Travis is a budget JW Johnson" - sh*t talking with Anna Bright
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44:35
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44:35Welcome to Tennis Sucks, a pickleball podcast by Travis Rettenmaier and Graham D’Amico. This week, we’ve traded Travis for a much better host in the form of Anna Bright - ranked no. 2 in mixed and 3rd in women’s doubles. We chat with Anna about her performances and predictions for major league pickleball, her take on the paddle testing drama, and a…
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Has MLP lost its allure? Recap of Best & Worst Performances. Plus, more paddle testing drama.
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39:43
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39:43This week, we kick things off with a recap of the newest paddle testing drama including that published call between some pros and the PPA. Travis talks about the MLP losing its luster and gives the roundup of best & worst player performances. Plus, should we care about pickleball stats? Graham and Travis debate what really matters when it comes to …
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PicklePod / Tennis Sucks Crossover: 65% of MLP Atlanta Paddles Failed & MLP Dallas Predictions
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50:07
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50:07We recap the wild $50k pro-player showcase in Lakeland this past week, including Rafa's ability to straight-up convince the refs to change their mind on kitchen faults. Zane & Travis get into it over the Squeeze uniform but looks like no changes will be made for Dallas this week. Plus, 65% of paddles failed testing at MLP Atlanta, what the heck is …
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MLP Shuffle Draft, PPA Vegas Recap - Plus Paddle Testing Controversy
35:02
35:02
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35:02This 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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Fights on the Pickleball Court? APP Atlanta Recap. Plus Paddle Sponsor Updates
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33:09
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33:09This 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.…
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MLP Atlanta Recap — Florida Smash & Ranchers Results. Plus, a New Quiet Pickleball?
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30:55
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30:55This 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.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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Pickleball Deflate Gate? Cincinnati Recap plus Atlanta MLP Pool Reaction.
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34:08
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34:08This week – we recap the PPA Cincinnati Open including the controversial referee call on what’s now being referred to as “deflate gate.” Plus, Travis talks about his potential paddle sponsors and we size up the competition for next week’s MLP event in Atlanta.By Travis Rettenmaier & Graham D'Amico
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