Join host and Senior Pro Rick Witsken as he sits down with the sport's biggest names to uncover their stories. With a unique perspective from his own career and deep connections to the pro tours, Rick facilitates a fun and inspiring deep dive into their personal "why"—how they found the sport, the sacrifices they've made, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're a new player or a seasoned veteran, you'll get pro tips, stay up to date on all the latest tour news, and leave every episode with a fresh perspective on the game we all love. From the court to the clubhouse, we're telling the stories that make pickleball great. This is more than a game—This Is Pickleball.
This is Pickleball
Claim This Podcastby Rick Witsken & Fabian Rodriguez
4.0(4 reviews)
24 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Join host and Senior Pro Rick Witsken as he sits down with the sport's biggest names to uncover their stories. With a unique perspective from his own career and deep connections to the pro tours, Rick facilitates a fun and inspiring deep dive into their personal "why"—how they found the sport, the sacrifices they've made, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're a new player or a seasoned veteran, you'll get pro tips, stay up to date on all the latest tour news, and leave every episode with a fresh perspective on the game we all love. From the court to the clubhouse, we're telling the stories that make pickleball great. This is more than a game—This Is Pickleball.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
11/24/2025
1 verified contact email on file for This is Pickleball
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Recent Episodes
July 30, 2026
From the Corporate Grind to Pro Pickleball with Mari Humberg & PickleballNikki (Nikki Maldonado)
<p data-path-to-node="20">This week we are joined by the incredible hosts of the new podcast 99% Pickleball, PPA Pro Mari Humberg, and content creator extraordinaire Nikki Maldonado. We dive deep into their origin stories—from Mari pitching her C-suite executives to sponsor her pro tour debut, to Nikki discovering the sport through a bar flyer during a dark time in her life. It's a masterclass in how pickleball changes lives both inside and outside the lines of the court.</p> <p data-path-to-node="21">Plus, we get into the nitty-gritty of the pro game. Mari breaks down what it's actually like to share the court with Anna Leigh Waters, and the insane level of discipline required to execute the strategy that finally handed ALW her first MLP doubles loss this season. We also talk MLP super teams, why pickleball desperately needs more on-court personalities, and top-tier strategy tips for amateurs—including why you need to film yourself and stop hitting to the weaker player in open play. Grab your hydration (and your favorite paddle) and tune in!</p> <p>Timestamps: </p> <div class="py-2 px-3 gap-3 stack" data-testid= "ai-actions-response-content"> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">00:00 Welcome and Guests</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">01:08 Poll Influencer Warmup</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">01:41 Rapid Fire Poll Debate</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">06:36 Fabian Answers Back</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">07:51 Why 99 Percent Pickleball</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">08:34 How Mari Met Nikki</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">09:58 Mari Tennis to Pro Journey</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">15:38 Going Full Time and Sponsors</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">18:22 Nikki Pickleball Origin Story</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">21:00 Nikki Content Creator Rise</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">25:10 Podcast Concept for Rec Players</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">27:27 Beyond the Lines Vision</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">30:18 Storytelling Over Stats</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">32:16 Playing With Anna Leigh</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">34:45 Beating The Superhuman</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">37:24 Facing Her After Teaming</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">38:52 MLP Trades And Drama</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">43:45 Rapid Fire Training Tips</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">47:59 Hot Takes And Drills</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">50:28 Signature Shots Breakdown</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">52:51 Gear Picks And Shoe Talk</span></div> <div class="stack gap-1"><span class= "text-default-fg-primary label-1-regular Text-module--dTnC1C">57:15 Where To Find Them</span></div> </div> <div class= "sticky right-0 p-2 z-1 row justify-end transition-opacity AiActions-module--pTHKXZ"> <div class="IconButton-module--RuUKvt"> </div> </div>
July 17, 2026
Table Tennis to Pro Pickleball: Danni-Elle Townsend's Rapid Ascent
<p data-path-to-node="15"><a href= "https://www.aireo-sports.com/collections/all-paddles">Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle! Use code FABIAN10</a></p> <p data-path-to-node="15"><a href= "https://rpmpb.com/collections/all">Save 15% on an RPM Paddle! Use code FABIAN15</a></p> <p data-path-to-node="15">This week we sit down with one of the most explosive players on the pro tour: Australia's Danni-Elle Townsend. Danni-Elle breaks down her rapid ascent from a lifelong table tennis prodigy to a formidable force on the PPA and MLP tours. She explains exactly how reading spin and generating power on the table tennis table translates into her lethal, aggressive "hunter" style at the kitchen line. From struggling just to afford flights a year ago to flying private jets with the Dallas Flash, her journey is nothing short of incredible.</p> <p data-path-to-node="16">Beyond mechanics, Danni-Elle isn't holding back on tour drama or her mindset. She clears the air on the fake internet beef with Paris Todd, talks about the reality of trash talk, and explains why she genuinely doesn't care who is on the other side of the net—even if it's Anna Leigh Waters. Whether you want to know the physics behind her devastating backhand roll or why she believes the Asian pickleball scene is a sleeping giant, this episode is a masterclass in confidence, strategy, and pure hustle.<br /> <br /> Timestamps: <br /> 00:00 - Introduction<br /> 00:45 - Australia to US<br /> 02:03 - Table tennis to pickleball<br /> 04:07 - Asia vs. US<br /> 08:52 - Mental toughness<br /> 10:19 - Family influence<br /> 12:23 - Crowd dynamics<br /> 16:26 - Travel and support<br /> 17:41 - Future focus<br /> 22:52 - Aggressive style<br /> 23:21 - Top-player influence<br /> 27:34 - Childhood confidence<br /> 29:54 - On-court energy<br /> 32:25 - Loving the game<br /> 33:56 - Motivation<br /> 35:44 - Trash talk<br /> 40:32 - Sportsmanship<br /> 43:21 - Upcoming tournaments<br /> 46:00 - Areas to improve<br /> 47:50 - Signature shot<br /> 51:37 - Here for the gear<br /> 53:51 - Food in the US<br /> 56:06 - Becoming number one<br /> <br /></p>
July 10, 2026
The Unwritten Rules Of Body Bagging, Is Dinking Below 4.0 A Joke? & Best Ball Machine Drills
<p data-path-to-node="15"><a href= "https://www.aireo-sports.com/collections/all-paddles">Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle! Use code FABIAN10</a></p> <p data-path-to-node="15"><a href= "https://rpmpb.com/collections/all">Save 15% on an RPM Paddle! Use code FABIAN15</a></p> <p data-path-to-node="15">Rick is BACK in the studio, and we are skipping the fluff to answer the internet's most controversial pickleball questions! We dive deep into the forums to tackle the ultimate Reddit debate: Is dinking below a 4.0 level actually useless? Rick aggressively shuts down the "bang-everything" mentality, explaining why mastering the soft game is your only true ticket to leveling up, extending rallies, and breaking down hard hitters. Plus, if you were stranded on an island with a ball machine, what is the one drill you should run? Rick gives us his million-dollar target practice routine (hint: master the deep backhand slice return).</p> <p data-path-to-node="16">Things get heated when the guys debate the unwritten rules of court etiquette. Is it ever acceptable to "body bag" a female opponent in mixed doubles? Should you hold back against older players in rec play, or is taking it easy the ultimate sign of disrespect? We cover everything from mid-match sportsmanship and the psychology of positive self-talk, to whether expensive paddles are just a placebo. Tune in, level up your strategy, and let's talk pickleball!</p> <h2 data-path-to-node="18"> </h2>
24 total episodes available
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- What is This is Pickleball?
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This podcast updates daily.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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