In this week's PicklePod episode (subscribe to the PicklePod here), pro Zane Navratil and CEO of The Dink, Thomas Shields, discuss the recent Major League Pickleball (MLP) tournament. Zane shares some hot-button opinions on the current state of pro pickleball, and the guys make some random phone calls.

MLP and mid-season tournament importance

The Beer City Open (BCO) tournament seems to have been an enormous success. The action on the court didn't disappoint, and the fans really enjoyed watching it.

It was also Zane Navratil's fourth MLP championship.

Is this the way MLP tournaments should happen, or what changes need to be made to continue the excitement from this past tournament?

More importantly, did Zane get his Clowns tattoo?

Zane and Thomas Shields discuss.

Paddle testing abandoned at MLP mid-season event

According to a source provided to Thomas, the paddle testers at this past MLP tournament had equipment issues, which caused them to scrap paddle testing—except for grit.

In fact, according to Zane, they sent a message to players that said, "Use whatever you want."

Paddle testing and abiding by consistent standards have been issues for pro pickleball players for a while now, and this instance adds to that inconsistency.

One player reportedly had 11 paddles fail before the test was thrown out.

The infamous line call and Rettenmaier reaction

In case you missed it, the BCO may have featured the hook of the year.

We've already written about it, but now you can get Zane and Thomas's perspective on it and listen to what they have to say about Travis Rettenmaier's reaction on Instagram right after it happened.

The Johns Bros struggles at mid-season championship

The Johns brothers have been nearly untouchable for the last couple of years. Seemingly, in every tournament, they were winning gold after gold. This year, that story has changed.

What is the reason for this struggle?

According to Zane, part of the problem is that the Carolina Pickleball Club (previously the Seattle Pioneers) didn't do the best job building around the greatest player in the game. Instead, they left money on the table and settled for what one might consider lesser players at cheaper prices.

Then, Zane goes into a rant about Collin Johns and how he thinks CJ needs to take time to reinvent his right-side game if he wants to get back to the glory days with his brother.

He also speculates about who would play with Ben Johns if CJ took some time off their partnership.

Zane is all in on the team format

So far, this MLP season has been unlike any other. Zane comments that he believes the team format is the future of pro pickleball.

By the way, did you know that you – yes, you! the person reading this – can play in a very similar team format as Major League Pickleball?

Well, you can. It's called The Dink Minor League Pickleball (MiLP), and there's a great chance there's a tournament coming up near you.

If you're unsure what the MiLP is, here's where you can learn more:

Random phone calls

As part of a new segment – and perhaps the greatest PicklePod segment of all time – Zane and Thomas reach into their phones and call people based on a prompt.

First, they must call one person who thinks pickleball sucks.

Then, they call someone who definitely doesn't think pickleball sucks – Connor Pardoe, the CEO of the PPA Tour.

Third, they call the "funniest person in pickleball."

And finally, they call Greg Dow.

Hilarity ensues.