Everything But The Kitchen Dink Pickleball Podcast

In this week’s episode Rob and Andy serve up a packed and personal recap of a rollercoaster fortnight in the world of pickleball (and beyond). The duo reflects on the highs and lows of their recent tournaments, including the National Team League Finals and a chaotic but triumphant showing at the Lancaster event. With talk of power-ups & pre-game beers, this episode blends performance insights, listener questions including how to ge...

"Just Say NO" is packed with insights, stories, and hot takes every pickleball player should hear. Rob and Andy tackle everything from not being able to refuse a game, when sometimes you should! to Rob’s tense run-in with some padel players—to whether the drop-serve is helping or hurting the game. They share thoughts on playing against deaf opponents, plus if you suffer from foot pain, break down the top-performing pickle...

In this episode, we sit down with one of the driving forces behind ONE Pickleball, the groundbreaking organisation leading the charge in developing professional pickleball in the UK. From the launch of the elite ONE British Pickleball GP to the upcoming under-21 events and future nationwide pop-ups, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how pickleball is rapidly evolving from grassroots to greatness. Whether you're in the UK or f...

In this episode, Rob & Andy sit down with the one and only Ron Ponder — professional pickleball referee, rules guru, and one of the sport’s most recognisable personalities. From his journey into officiating to what it takes to keep calm when things get heated on court, Ron shares stories from the front lines of pro pickleball. We dive into controversial calls, rulebook gripes, referee training, and the fine art of managing play...

In this sun-soaked special, Rob & Andy relive their unforgettable trip to the 2025 Reballution Cup in Rota, Spain — a tournament filled with early wakeups, bad toasters, brilliant rallies, and golden glory. From sneaking through airport security at dawn to battling in blistering mixed and men’s doubles showdowns, the duo share every twist of their weekend adventure. Hear about their medals, mental games, and unexpected lessons ...

In this episode, we’re joined by Olympic silver medallist and former badminton World Champion Gail Emms, who takes us through her remarkable journey from the top tiers of elite sport to her exciting new chapter in the world of pickleball. Gail opens up about the highs and lows of Olympic competition, the mental health challenges athletes face after retirement, and how she’s found fresh purpose on the pickleball court. We discuss he...

In this episode of your favourite pickleball podcast, we dive paddle-first into a whirlwind fortnight of rallies, revelations, and a rare return to league play! We reflect on our eye-opening experience being watched (and not just judged) by fellow players, how three straight days of play turned us from moaners to mindful tacticians. We also gear up for our first overseas tournament in Rota, Spain, chat about the science of letting ...

In this episode, we welcome back Karen Mitchell, Head of Pickleball England, for a deep dive into the sport’s most exciting chapter yet. We talk Nationals success, the rise of singles, and the massive milestone of gaining official governing body status from Sport England. Karen shares behind-the-scenes moments, what it means for the sport’s future, and whether a pro league could be on the cards. We also dig into the the battle for ...

This week's episode dives into the ups, downs, and sideways steps of our recent pickleball battles, including some honest reflections on our most recent tournament and what happens when your game plan goes out the window mid-match. We chat about the never-ending quest to break through plateaus, the tricky balance between casual and competitive play, and the slow crawl of pickleball’s growth in the UK. Plus, a look at the paddle...

In this episode, we bring you our exclusive interview with Leon Stango, president of Pickleball Venezuela, and newly appointed Chair of the Pickleball Federation of the Americas. W explore his incredible journey from discovering pickleball to spearheading the sport’s rapid growth in Venezuela. Leonardo shares how pickleball is breaking social barriers, uniting communities, and gaining international momentum across Latin America. We...

For our landmark 100th episode, we present what may be the most game-changing conversation yet with Dayne Gingrich, co-author of Pickleball Mindset (the best-selling pickleball book ever) and follow-up to our popular episode with his co-author Jill Martin. As both a top pro and elite coach, Dayne reveals the mental performance secrets that could finally bridge the gap between your rec play and tournament performance. You’ll get act...

In this episode, we dive into the Telford Open, where we had a blast, played some great matches, and even found ourselves in a minor pickleball courtroom drama over an out call. We also discuss the struggles of hitting (and escaping) the dreaded pickleball plateau, and question whether it’s right to just avoid our backhands. Plus, we relive the sheer panic of sending a WhatsApp message to the wrong pickleball group. Packed with les...

This week, we're diving deep into the world of Joola pickleball! Join us as we welcome back Basti Grau, Joola's European Sales Manager, to discuss the highly anticipated paddles, the Agassi and Pro IV series. We'll unpack the journey from their previously delisted paddles, explore the intricacies of paddle approval, and delve into the cutting-edge technology behind these new releases. Plus, we'll discuss the evolving power paddle m...

In this episode, we dive into the age-old pickleball debate—power vs. finesse—and ask the big question: is it time to ditch the dinks and go full smash mode? We break down Robert’s tournament experience in Leeds, our prep for the upcoming Telford Open, and whether we can truly play without pressure. Plus, we rant about DUPR, losing young players to padel, and discuss the latest JOOLA paddles hitting the market. With plenty of laugh...

This week, we take you through our eventful trip to the annual Cambridge team tournament, from the highs of team bonding and solid performances to the unexpected twists, including Robert’s last-minute withdrawal, controversial kitchen calls and players still using banned paddles. Beyond that, we dive into more key pickleball topics, including strategies for handling being targeted in a match. Tune in for a fun and insightful episod...

In this episode, we dive into Robert’s much-anticipated return to the court—how he’s feeling, how the foot is holding up, and what his outlook is after a few sessions back. Andy shares insights from his week, including a surprising conversation with a football legend! We tackle a big discussion on shifting to an aggressive playing style—can it be done without a tennis background, or is topspin the ultimate barrier? Plus, is playing...

In Episode 94, we dive into Robert’s pickleball final adventures on his USA trip, his ongoing recovery struggles, and whether he’ll be ready for the big upcoming tournament. We break down the latest news, including a Super Bowl ad featuring pickleball and Andy Murray’s controversial comments. Plus, we tackle the serve debate that's been confusing Andy. We also discuss some interesting upcoming paddles that could be game chang...

In this episode of Everything But the Kitchen Dink, we start the New Year with updates on Robert’s injury, his failed comeback attempt, and the emotional challenges of his recovery, while Andy shares the struggles of playing without him. We tackle the heated debate over banned pickleball paddles and their impact on players, and we discuss Robert’s trip to Orlando and The Villages, soaking in the pickleball culture despite being una...