Dinks On Tap: Life Through the Lens of Pickleball

Secret Love Affair or Smart PR? The Wild Theories Around Anna Leigh Waters vs Hayden Patriquin Pickleball Controversy

When a court clash turns spicy and the hot takes are served shaken, not stirred, you know it’s a Dinks on Tap episode.
You’ve seen the clips. You’ve read the threads. But now we’re talking exactly what went down between Anna Leigh Waters and Hayden Patriquin at Major League Pickleball Orlando. Real tension? PR stunt? Secret teen love story? (We wish we were joking.)
Our friend (and professional instigator) Andrew Kole, from Pickleball is Great, joins us for our brand-new segment “On the Rocks”, and let's just say… he’s not holding back.
Then we tag in America’s pickleball referee MVP Courtney Miller Johnson (who was literally courtside for the showdown) and bring back straight-talker Ben Paquette for a brutally honest take on the DUPR rating system (a.k.a. the algorithm everyone loves to hate).
In this episode:
What really went down between Anna Leigh Waters and Hayden Patriquin
Why Major League Pickleball’s official response got roasted harder than a courtside jalapeño marg
The truth about the DUPR rating system (and why your 4.1 might be lying to you)
How even a messy pickleball controversy can level up the game
And why losing every match still counts as winning (sometimes)
Grab your paddle. Grab your marg. Let’s get into it.
Cheers,
Casie & Lauren
Dinks on Tap
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This Is What Happens When a Finance Guy Gets Sucked Into the Pickleball Community with Ben Paquette

What do you get when you mix a high-stress finance job, a family health scare, and a few curious visits to the local gym? If you're Ben Paquette, you get a full-on life remix served underhand.
In this episode, we sit down with the man who first taught us how to dink without overthinking: pickleball coach Ben Paquette. What started as a few casual games turned into a complete career pivot. Now he’s teaching pickleball, traveling for professional pickleball tournaments, and building a thriving pickleball community in Dallas—all while keeping that signature chill-coach energy.
We talk about:
The wake-up call that made Ben trade spreadsheets for spin serves
Why the pickleball mindset might be more important than your paddle
What those mysterious coaching certifications really mean
How to get through the dreaded YIPS (spoiler: it’s not just about your backhand)
And the true test of any partnership—pickleball doubles or otherwise
This one’s deep. It’s funny. It might even make you rethink your doubles partner.
And it’s a reminder that sometimes, the game is just the beginning of finding purpose.
So grab your marg, hit play, and meet the coach who changed our game—and maybe our lives (no pressure, Ben).
Cheers,
Casie and LaurenDinks on Tap
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Ivan Jakovljevic’s Pickleball Journey Started with a Crush (and Ended in Pro Pickleball)

Let’s be honest: switching careers is hard. But switching athletic careers after more than two decades? That’s a whole different level.
In this episode, we sit down with Ivan Jakovljevic, who walked away from a 23-year soccer career to go all in on the world of pro pickleball. And it all started because he had a crush!
We dig into his unexpected pickleball journey, what it’s like learning a totally new sport later in life, and how he keeps his athlete mindset sharp even when he’s running on very little sleep and way too many gummy bears.
From emotional discipline on the court to learning how to find joy in the grind, Ivan shares what helped him make a big change in career, found purpose through pickleball coaching, how he stays focused, and why connection in the pickleball community matters just as much as competitive drive.
If you’ve ever considered a bold pivot, wondered what it’s really like to go pro, or just want to hear a story that proves it’s never too late to start over, this one’s for you.
 
Let’s dink, sip, and get into it.
Cheers,Casie & Lauren
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How to Play Pickleball with Your Romantic Partner Without Killing Each Other

Let’s be real for a second: playing pickleball with your romantic partner isn’t always a love story. Sometimes, it’s a full-blown drama. You’re holding hands one minute, and the next, you’re side-eyeing their third shot drop like they betrayed you. We’ve been there. That’s why this episode of Dinks on Tap hit home in the best way.
 
In this episode, we chat with Teri Citterman and Dr. Stormy Hill, co-authors of In a Pickle: How to Master Love and Pickleball and Not Kill Each Other. We dive into the wild world of playing pickleball with your romantic partner, where tension, love, competitive behavior, and the occasional eye roll collide.
 
From emotional intelligence on the court to safe words, love languages, and intention-setting before a match, this conversation is full of real strategies for keeping both your game and your relationship strong. 
 
We also touch on important topics like relationship advice for couples who play sports together, communication in sports, and how understanding partner dynamics can actually lead to deeper relationship growth, both on and off the court. Plus, we get into some unspoken rules of pickleball etiquette and the power of intentional play when the pressure is high.
 
Whether you're in love, in competition, or both, this episode is packed with relatable insights to help you play better together and maybe even argue a little less, on and off the court.
 
Cheers,Casie & Lauren
 
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
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The must-read for couples who love (and survive) playing pickleball together: 
In A Pickle: How to Master Love and Pickleball and Not Kill Each Other
 
Explore more tools, tips, and upcoming retreats at LoveandPickleball.net
 
Follow the fun and join the Love nad Pickleball community:
Instagram: @love_and_pickleball
Facebook: @love.and.pickleball
TikTok: @loveandpickleball

How to Stop Pickleball Injuries Before They Happen (And Recover Like a Pro!) With Albert Ibanez

Are you stretching the wrong way? You might think a quick quad stretch before a match is enough, but according to soft tissue specialist Albert Ibanez, most players are skipping the real key to pickleball injury prevention… and it's not what you’d expect.
 
Albert, known as the Muscle Whisperer, has worked on countless athletes, including some of the best pickleball players in Dallas. In this episode, he reveals why so many players struggle with chronic shoulder, elbow, and lower back pain and how small changes in your stretching routine can help you play longer and feel better.
 
One game-changing tip? If you're not doing an ice bath for athletes after intense play, you’re missing out on faster muscle recovery and better performance. But don’t worry, Albert also shares easy alternatives for those of us who hate freezing water.
Listen now and learn how to keep your muscle health in check, stay pain-free, and keep dinking like a pro.
 
Cheers,Casie & Lauren
 
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What Happens Off the Court Matters More Than You Think

What if we told you that having fun off the court is just as important as practicing your dinks and drives? Sounds wild, right? But after an epic pickleball team-building trip to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, we’re here to tell you… IT WORKS.
 
In this episode, we’re diving into why team building is important for every pickleball league (and any competitive sport, really). We’ll share how doing team bonding activities like a Mardi Gras night, petting zoo adventures, and even a choreographed team entrance helped us feel more connected and confident going into a super competitive pickleball season.
 
We’ll also get real about the nerves that come with leveling up in competition, how building community and connection off the court helps us play better on it, and why staying loose is the secret weapon to better performance.
 
So, if you’ve ever wondered how to build trust with your doubles partner, strengthen your pickleball team, or just want an excuse to plan a fun team trip, this episode is for you!
 
Hit play and let’s talk about why fun actually makes you a better player.
 
Cheers,Casie & Lauren
 
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Pickleball Rules, Refs & Controversial Calls with Courtney Johnson

If you’ve ever played pickleball, you know how fast things can get heated- bad line calls, foot faults, and that one player who lobs every single shot. 
 
But have you ever wondered what it’s like to be the person making the tough calls? That’s exactly what we’re diving into on this episode!
 
We got to sit down with Courtney Johnson, the Head of Competition for Major League Pickleball (MLP) and one of the most respected referees in the game. She’s been a USA Pickleball certified referee since 2018, has officiated some of the biggest matches in pro pickleball, and even had to stand her ground against John McEnroe at the Pickleball Slam.
 
Courtney shares how she went from a casual rec player to one of the most well-known refs in the sport, breaks down the viral “Two Becomes One” rule, and explains why MLP switched from rally scoring to side-out scoring. We also get into the biggest mistakes rec players make, the best way to handle bad line calls and lobbers, and whether pickleball is still the inclusive, welcoming sport we all love or if it's becoming too exclusive.
 
Plus, there’s an exclusive giveaway you won’t want to miss! If you love pickleball tips, pro pickleball insights, and fun conversations, join us for this episode!
 
Cheers,Casie & Lauren
 
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Why Your Mindset is the Key to Better Pickleball with Dayne Gingrich & Jill Martin

Have you ever rescheduled a meeting or called in sick just to play pickleball? We get it! 
 
In this episode, we explore the mental game of pickleball with Dayne Gingrich, a seven-time national champion, and Jill Martin, a former attorney turned fitness pro. 
 
As co-authors of Pickleball Mindset, they share winning strategies for improving mental toughness, building confidence, and becoming a better pickleball partner.
 
We dive into essential pickleball psychology topics like pre-acceptance versus pre-expectance and how to stop overthinking mistakes, reset rituals to improve focus and consistency, and practical ways to strengthen your doubles pickleball partnership. 
 
We also discuss common pickleball pet peeves, how to handle pressure in tournaments, and the biggest mindset shifts that separate elite players from the rest. To keep things fun, we wrap up with rapid-fire questions, including our dream pickleball foursomes and what superpowers we’d love to have on the court.
 
This episode is packed with laughs, lightbulb moments, and real talk about the mental game of pickleball. Grab a drink, get cozy, and listen in!
 
Cheers,Casie & Lauren
 
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Sneaky Pickleball Lies, Court Pet Peeves & More with Pro Melissa Pedroza

What’s the magic behind the explosive growth of pickleball?
 
In this episode, we’re joined by Melissa Pedroza, a pickleball pro and coach who’s turned her passion into a tool for transforming communities and workplaces. Melissa shares the hilarious and heartwarming moments from her journey into the sport, plus the surprising ways pickleball can bring people together, even in corporate settings.
 
We also dive into hot topics like what makes pickleball inclusive, balancing the fun of the game with the pressure to improve, and the hilarious white lies people tell to sneak in extra pickleball time.
 
Plus, Melissa gives us her take on pet peeves on the court, who she’d pick for her dream pickleball match, and her love for creating delicious ceviche. (Recipe in our Instagram bio.)
 
Tune in and don’t forget to share with your favorite dinking buddy!
 
Cheers,Casie & Lauren
 
 
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Get Melissa’s Ceviche Recipe here: https://dinksontap.com/melissas-ceviche-recipe

What’s New in Pickleball? Growth Stats, Game Rules, and Pickleball Mindset for 2025

Welcome to 2025, pickleballers! 
 
This week, we’re serving up a fresh episode packed with everything you need to start the year strong. From pickleball stats to new rules for 2025, we’ve got the scoop to keep your game sharp.
 
We’re also diving into the ultimate pickleball growth hack. Inspired by the game-changing book Pickleball Mindset, we’re exploring how to flip pressure into opportunity, ditch the fear of “slumps,” and build confidence like never before. This episode is full of practical tips to help you improve your performance, enjoy the game more, and stay mentally tough.
 
Plus, don’t miss our fun facts about pickleball’s origin, the rise of younger players, and how to get your own Pickleball homepage. This episode is your go-to guide for embracing pickleball’s explosive growth, strengthening your mental game, and kicking off 2025 as your best pickleball year yet.
 
So pour your favorite drink, and join us for a lively conversation where pickleball meets margaritas. 
 
Cheers,Casie & Lauren
 
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
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