Playing Pro While Pregnant, Pushing Anna Leigh Waters, & The Agassi Collab with Brooke Buckner
Release Date: 12/23/2025
Jackie & Jade Kawamoto: The Corporate Assassins Who Are Taking Down Full-Time Pros.
This is Pickleball
In this episode, we sit down with the PPA’s most synchronized force: Jackie and Jade Kawamoto. From their childhood in Maui to their Division 1 tennis days at the University of Dayton, the sisters share their unique path to the podium. Unlike many full-time pros, Jackie and Jade maintain careers at the NCAA, a "diversion" they claim keeps them mentally sharp and prevents the burnout seen in specialized athletes. The sisters take us behind the scenes of their historic Cincinnati win, where they overcame a massive deficit to beat the world #1s. We dive into the "paddle gate" drama that forced...
info_outline
ALW's $10M Payday, Nike Enters the Chat, The Ripsken Story, & The Truth About Rec Play
This is Pickleball
From the historic $10 million contract for Anna Leigh Waters to the emotional origin story of the Ripsken brand, this episode covers the entire spectrum of the sport. In this episode of This is Pickleball, Rick and Fabian break down the massive "Paddle Shuffle" of 2026—tracking the moves of Rachel Rohrabacher, Chris Haworth, and rumors about the Johnson siblings. Rick then opens up in a rare, vulnerable segment about his late brother, Todd Witsken (former World #1), and the spiritual connection he shares with his nephew, tennis superstar Ben Shelton. Plus, Rick drops essential coaching...
info_outline
Zane’s Hot Takes: The $10M ALW Rumor, UPA Drama & Coaching Myths
This is Pickleball
From quitting his job as a Deloitte auditor to becoming the World #1 and inventing the most controversial serve in pickleball history, Zane Navratil is the ultimate disruptor. In this episode of This is Pickleball, Rick and Fabian sit down with the "Moneyball" king himself to discuss his wild journey, his new role as President of the UPA Pro Player Committee, and the explosive drama surrounding player contracts and firings. Zane doesn't hold back on the "hot paddle" controversy, the future of Anna Leigh Waters (is a $10 million deal coming?), and why he believes tennis players are finally...
info_outline
Anna Leigh Waters Rumors, Paddle Wars, Rick’s Signature shot Revealed & The #1 Tip For 2026
This is Pickleball
Kick off 2026 with a bang! In this special New Year's episode of This is Pickleball, Rick and Fabian dive headfirst into the chaotic world of "Paddle Wars." With contract negotiations exploding and pros switching brands left and right, the guys break down the biggest moves, rumors, and controversies shaking up the PPA . From the speculation surrounding Anna Leigh Waters leaving Paddletek (is Nike involved?) to Rachel Rohrabacher's shocking departure from Selkirk, Rick offers his insider perspective on why pros really switch gear—and it's not always about the paddle. Rick also shares his own...
info_outline
Playing Pro While Pregnant, Pushing Anna Leigh Waters, & The Agassi Collab with Brooke Buckner
This is Pickleball
Brooke Buckner is proof that you can have it all—if you're willing to work harder than everyone else. A University of Michigan tennis legend and former D1 coach, Brooke traded the sidelines for the center court and quickly skyrocketed to the Top 5 in the world in singles. Fresh off an MLP Challenger Championship with the Las Vegas Night Owls and a Bronze at the World Championships, Brooke joins Rick and Fabian to discuss her incredible rise. She pulls back the curtain on being the first-ever Agassi x Joola signature athlete, the intensity of battling Anna Leigh Waters, and the chaotic...
info_outline
Matt Manasse: Hollywood’s Favorite Coach, Road-Tripping With Ben Johns & The Global Pickleball Boom
This is Pickleball
Matt Manasse was born to coach. From the high-pressure courts of collegiate tennis to the glitz of the "Pickleball Coach to the Stars" moniker, Matt has a unique ability to bridge the gap between elite athletics and pure entertainment. A former high-performance tennis coach for stars like Shelby Rogers, Matt joins Rick to discuss his rapid ascent in the pickleball world—a journey that started with taping lines on a driveway during the pandemic and led to road-tripping with Ben Johns and Simone Jardim. In this episode, Rick and Matt relive their legendary "Battle of the Sexes" victory against...
info_outline
Jack Munro: The "APP King," Artificial Ambidexterity & The Youngest 5.0 In History
This is Pickleball
Jack Munro is a force of nature. Dominating the APP tour in 2025, he and his partner clinched seven gold medals, setting a new record for most consecutive wins in APP history. But his impact isn't just on the podium; he's one of the sport's biggest creators, reaching over 10 million people a month with game-changing content. Fresh off his historic run, Jack joins Rick to discuss his unique path: from a baseball-ending injury at age 10 to becoming the youngest 5.0 player in history at 12. He shares the powerful, emotional story of his APP Daytona win, playing for his grandpa in his final hours....
info_outline
Andrei Daescu's Career Ending Injury, Quitting Tennis & How Pickleball Saved His Life
This is Pickleball
Andrei Daescu was born to compete. From his early days in Bucharest, Romania, to a standout All-American tennis career at the University of Oklahoma and a pro run that saw him reach ATP #120 and represent his country in the Davis Cup, his athletic pedigree is elite. But after a shoulder injury cut his tennis career short, pickleball gave him a "second chance" to compete. Today, Andrei is one of the most dominant forces in the sport, sitting at #3 in the PPA men's doubles rankings. Fresh off a 2025 Major League Pickleball championship with the underdog Columbus Sliders, he joins Rick to discuss...
info_outlineBrooke Buckner is proof that you can have it all—if you're willing to work harder than everyone else. A University of Michigan tennis legend and former D1 coach, Brooke traded the sidelines for the center court and quickly skyrocketed to the Top 5 in the world in singles.
Fresh off an MLP Challenger Championship with the Las Vegas Night Owls and a Bronze at the World Championships, Brooke joins Rick and Fabian to discuss her incredible rise. She pulls back the curtain on being the first-ever Agassi x Joola signature athlete, the intensity of battling Anna Leigh Waters, and the chaotic reality of balancing life on tour with three young children.
From competing while pregnant at the highest level to the specific mechanics of her lethal "Inside-In" forehand, this episode is a masterclass in grit, technique, and time management.
🔑 Key Takeaways
The "Supermom" Feat: Brooke played pro singles at 20 weeks pregnant and MLP doubles at 32 weeks pregnant.
The Agassi Connection: How a chance meeting in NYC led to Brooke becoming the face of Andre Agassi’s signature Joola paddle line.
Signature Shot: Brooke breaks down the "Inside-In Forehand"—running around the backhand to freeze the opponent.
The 5 PM Rule: How Brooke structures her training to ensure she is home every evening for family time.
The Future of Talent: Brooke’s take on how the first generation of "Pickleball-only" athletes (non-tennis background) will change the singles game.
ADD US ON:
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thisispickleballpodcast/
Timestamps:
00:00 Guest introduction and Early Career
01:36 Current Status and Future Plans
03:58 Journey into Pickleball
10:21 Balancing Family and Career
14:36 Training and Competition
17:49 Playing While Pregnant
19:57 Reflecting on Pickleball's Growth
21:38 Partnership with Agassi x Joola
22:30 Meeting Andre and Joining Joola
23:14 Designing the Paddle
24:34 Signature Shot: Inside-In Forehand
26:21 Finding Doubles Partners
28:07 Playing Both Sides
29:06 Coaching Insights and Challenges
30:46 Biggest Failure and Success
35:40 Future Plans and Excitement for Pickleball