EPISODE · Oct 22, 2025 · 44 MIN
The $250K Question: Will Singles Ever Surpass Doubles?
from PicklePod · host The Dink Pickleball
Zane and Tice break down the most talked-about event in pro pickleball — the Lifetime Open, the first-ever singles-only tournament with a $250,000 prize pool. So why didn’t top pros like Ben and Anna Leigh show up? The guys dive deep into what went wrong, what Lifetime nailed, and how the event could bounce back next year. They also cover: 💰 The prize money dilemma and why pros skipped the biggest purse in pickleball history 🎾 Whether anyone can compete with the UPA 🔥 Donald Young’s wild run and Chris Haworth’s rise to #1 form 🎤 Q&A on paddle tech, foam paddles, and the future of line calls 🐶 Pickle for Pups + Zane’s new project, Transition Zone Pickleball Plus, Tyce previews the Las Vegas Open and Worlds — and the boys debate if singles pickleball is turning into “mini tennis.” 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world. Momentous is the gold standard in creatine, save 35% on your order with code THEDINK at http://livemomentous.com Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12 pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Contact Zane to work at ProXR here: https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/pages/contact #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 00:00 – Why Didn’t Pros Show Up? 05:45 – Can Anyone Compete with UPA? – Why it’s nearly impossible to challenge the pro pickleball machine. 08:20 – The Prize Money Problem top-heavy payouts scared off the middle of the pack 10:00 – 3-Out-of-5 Match Format Debate 14:30 – Donald Young’s Upset Run + Chris Haworth Is On Fire 20:30 – Is Singles Becoming Mini Tennis? 24:30 – PPA Vegas Preview Dylan Frazier + JW Johnson reunite 33:00 – Listener Q and A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Zane and Tice break down the most talked-about event in pro pickleball — the Lifetime Open, the first-ever singles-only tournament with a $250,000 prize pool. So why didn’t top pros like Ben and Anna Leigh show up? The guys dive deep into what went wrong, what Lifetime nailed, and how the event could bounce back next year. They also cover: 💰 The prize money dilemma and why pros skipped the biggest purse in pickleball history 🎾 Whether anyone can compete with the UPA 🔥 Donald Young’s wild run and Chris Haworth’s rise to #1 form 🎤 Q&A on paddle tech, foam paddles, and the future of line calls 🐶 Pickle for Pups + Zane’s new project, Transition Zone Pickleball Plus, Tyce previews the Las Vegas Open and Worlds — and the boys debate if singles pickleball is turning into “mini tennis.” 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world. Momentous is the gold standard in creatine, save 35% on your order with code THEDINK at http://livemomentous.com Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12 pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/ Contact Zane to work at ProXR here: https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/pages/contact #Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball #pickleball #pickleballcourts ------------------ 00:00 – Why Didn’t Pros Show Up? 05:45 – Can Anyone Compete with UPA? – Why it’s nearly impossible to challenge the pro pickleball machine. 08:20 – The Prize Money Problem top-heavy payouts scared off the middle of the pack 10:00 – 3-Out-of-5 Match Format Debate 14:30 – Donald Young’s Upset Run + Chris Haworth Is On Fire 20:30 – Is Singles Becoming Mini Tennis? 24:30 – PPA Vegas Preview Dylan Frazier + JW Johnson reunite 33:00 – Listener Q and A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The $250K Question: Will Singles Ever Surpass Doubles?
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