The World Pickleball Podcast

Louis Laville joins the World Pickleball Podcast to discuss his journey from skeptical first-time player to one of Europe’s most accomplished pickleball professionals.

The eight-time national champion and seven-time European champion opens up on:

Laville also explains the tactical evolution happening at the top level of th...

Chris is joined by Theo Young, the organiser of the DUPR UK University Pickleball Championships, powered by JOOLA and sanctioned by Pickleball England.

Taking place at Courtzside in Stourbridge on 30 May, the event brings together university teams from across the UK for the first competition of its kind in the country.

Theo talks about building the event from scratch, what UK pickleball can learn from the US college scene, why university sport matters, and how younger players could help reshape the image of pickleball in Britain.

The conversation also covers Oxford, Cambridge, DUPR...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, Chris speaks to Calvin Innes, an award-winning creative director, fandom strategist and co-founder of The Forge, about one of pickleball’s biggest unanswered questions: how does the sport turn millions of players into genuine fans?

Calvin explains why participation alone is not enough, what pickleball can learn from Formula 1, UFC, cricket and other sports, and why storytelling, personalities, rivalries, behind-the-scenes access and fan-led content may matter as much as tournaments and results.

The discussion also explores the English Open, Olympic ambitions, the difference between players and fans, an...

Atlanta is already doing what it always does at this stage of the season — putting pressure on players who are not quite safe.

This week, we break down why the PPA Finals cut line matters more than the title itself, and how early-round matches are starting to shape entire seasons.

From there, we get into the new UPA rulebook and the confusion around rally scoring. There isn’t one version of pickleball anymore, and players are starting to feel that gap between the pro game and what they play locally.

We then look at V...

Lee Whitwell joins the World Pickleball Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond results.

The reigning senior pro star and Game ChangeHER co-founder breaks down the US Open, the growth of the English Open, and why pickleball still struggles as a spectator sport. More importantly, she explains why the future of the game will not be decided by the pro tour, but by the millions of players who show up to courts every week.

We also get into paddle sponsorships, grassroots coaching, the psychology of competition, and how pickleball creates something most sports...

Why Pickleball Gets Under Your Skin — A One-Year Quest to Understand It

What makes pickleball so addictive?

In this episode, Chris sits down with Clare Frank — former California fire chief, author, and lifelong athlete — to unpack a question most players feel but rarely explain.

After a health scare, Clare realised she feared losing pickleball more than the diagnosis itself. That moment sent her on a one-year journey across the US to understand why the sport has such a powerful hold on people.

From playing in a maximum security prison to chasing games...

Melissa McCurley helped build the modern pickleball world long before most people realised what the sport could become.

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont sits down with the 2025 Pickleball Hall of Fame inductee, former PickleballTournaments.com CEO, US Open architect, national TV commentator, and current APP executive to talk about the work that turned pickleball from a driveway game into a professional sport with real structure.

Melissa explains how the US Open became the sport’s Super Bowl, why early TV exposure changed everything, what it was like to become the fi...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont and co-host Gordon Watson break down the latest developments across the global pickleball scene, with a sharp focus on PPA Australia, player pathways, and the evolving European landscape.

The discussion opens with a deep dive into the PPA Australia event in Moreton Bay, where a lack of depth in the draw raises bigger questions about participation, cost, and the impact of a growing global calendar. Chris and Gordon explore why fewer players are entering certain events, how rising travel costs are affecting the sport, and whether...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont sits down with one of the most influential figures in European pickleball, Gustaf Getarud, to talk about playing, building and thinking the game at a high level.

Gustaf discusses how a corporate background in leadership and recruitment has shaped his approach on court, why process and problem-solving matter so much in pickleball, and how he has stayed competitive against stronger athletes with deeper racket-sport backgrounds.

The conversation also moves into the bigger picture. Together, Chris and Gustaf look at the changing European tournament scene, the...

In this week’s World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson dig into the biggest talking points from the MB Hanoi Cup and the wider pro game.

The show opens with a light-hearted detour into English Open plans before turning to the real debate: Anna Leigh Waters withdrawing from women’s singles in Hanoi after a packed run of tournaments. Chris and Gordon discuss whether the professional schedule is starting to ask too much of the sport’s biggest names, and whether it was the right look for Waters’ first major international appearance in Vietnam.

They a...

Bálint Bakó is one of the most interesting players in European pickleball right now, and in this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont sits down with the Hungarian star to explore the journey behind his rise.

From his background in the demanding Hungarian junior tennis system to his rapid emergence as one of Europe’s leading singles players, Bakó opens up on the moments that shaped him, the matches that changed his belief, and the realities of trying to build an international career in pickleball from Europe.

He reflects on his breakthrough in Ma...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont and co-host Gordon Watson break down another fascinating week across the global pickleball landscape, from emerging tours in Asia to major industry developments.

The conversation opens with discussion around the D-Joy Tour and the rapid rise of pickleball in Vietnam, including insights from recent conversations with top European player Ben Cawston and the significance of Vietnam being announced as a future host of the Pickleball World Cup. Chris and Gordon explore what this means for the sport’s expansion into Southeast Asia and how new markets ar...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont sits down with one of the most dominant forces in global pickleball right now: Ben Cawston, the RTA European No. 1 in Men’s Doubles, reigning European Champion, and one of the fastest-rising players in the sport.

At just 23 years old, Ben has already built a remarkable sporting résumé. A former World No. 1 in rackets and the youngest Rackets World Champion in over a century, he transitioned into pickleball in 2023 and has since taken complete control of the European scene. Alongside his partner Théo Platel, he re...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont and co-host Gordon Watson break down a packed week across the global pickleball scene, covering tour action, international developments, and one particularly heated debate.

The episode opens with a look at what Chris and Gordon have been working on, before diving straight into the latest professional action. Gordon shares insight from the PPA Sydney event, analysing standout performances and what the results mean for the APAC region. The discussion then shifts to the PPA Texas Open, where extreme wind conditions, triple crown success, and unpredictable matches...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont is joined by co-host Gordon Watson to break down another busy week across the global pickleball landscape.

The show opens with a look at what Chris and Gordon have been working on behind the scenes, including the continued growth of World Pickleball Magazine and its expanding global coverage of the sport.

From there, the hosts dive into the biggest stories on the professional circuit. The discussion begins with the PPA Tour action from the Newport Beach Open, analysing the key performances and storylines from...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont sits down with Jack Munro, the #1 ranked male player on the APP Tour, to discuss his rise to the top of professional pickleball.

Jack shares the story behind his journey through the competitive ranks, detailing the training, mindset, and strategic evolution that helped him reach the number one position on the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour. From early breakthroughs to navigating the pressure that comes with being the player everyone is chasing, this conversation offers rare insight into life at the top of the professional...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont speaks with one of the breakout stories of the season: Matthew Barlow, the 72nd seed at the PPA Mesa Cup who stunned the draw by advancing all the way to the men’s singles semi-finals.

Matthew shares the inside story of his remarkable run, detailing the matches, mindset shifts, and tactical adjustments that carried him deep into one of the most competitive events on the Professional Pickleball Association calendar. From underdog status to centre-court spotlight, this conversation explores what it takes to compete against top-ranked professionals wh...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont is joined by co-host Gordon Watson to break down a packed weekend across the global pickleball landscape.

The discussion opens with full analysis of the PPA Mesa Cup, including key results, standout performances, and what the tournament means for rankings and momentum on the Professional Pickleball Association calendar. Chris and Gordon examine the evolving competitive picture as the season gathers pace.

The episode also celebrates Gordon’s success on the Queensland Pickleball Tour, offering insight into the growing strength of the Australian scene and wh...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont speaks with Estee Widdershoven, the first Belgian player to be signed to the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour—a landmark moment for Belgian and European pickleball.

Estee shares her journey from discovering pickleball to reaching the professional ranks, offering insight into the training, mindset, and sacrifices required to compete on the world stage. The conversation explores what her PPA signing means for the growth of pickleball in Belgium and across Europe, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing international players entering the American-dominated professional circuit.

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont is joined by co-host Gordon Watson and special guest Wes Gabrielsen—Head Coach of the Dilli Dillwale, champions of World Pickleball League Season Two, and a 2022 Pickleball Hall of Fame inductee.

Wes reflects on the Dilli Dillwale’s title-winning campaign, sharing insight into team culture, preparation, and the tactical decisions that shaped their run to the World Pickleball League championship. The conversation explores what high-performance coaching looks like in modern professional pickleball and how franchise leagues are accelerating the sport’s global growth.

Beyond the co...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont sits down with one of the sport’s most exciting young talents, Camden Chaffin, a 14-year-old professional player from the United States who is already making waves on the competitive pickleball scene.

Camden shares his journey into professional pickleball, from early development and rapid progression to competing against elite players at such a young age. The conversation explores the mindset required to perform under pressure, how junior athletes are entering the pro ranks earlier than ever, and what Camden’s rise says about the future of the...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont is joined by co-host Gordon Watson to break down the latest developments across the professional and international pickleball landscape.

The conversation begins with an in-depth look at Season Two of the World Pickleball League, assessing the action so far, standout performances, and what the early stages reveal about the league’s competitive balance and global impact. Chris and Gordon then turn their attention to the Australian Open Pickleball Slam, exploring the significance of the event within the growing international calendar and what it signals for pickleball’s co...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont is joined by co-host Gordon Watson to break down a packed week of professional and international pickleball news.

The discussion opens with analysis of the first two days of the World Pickleball League (WPBL), including early performances, standout moments, and what the opening matches reveal about the direction of the league. From there, Chris and Gordon turn to growing rumours linking Sofia Sewing to a potential move to the PPA, examining what such a shift could mean for both player and tour.

The episode...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont and co-host Gordon Watson dive deep into one of the most anticipated moments in professional pickleball: Season Two of the World Pickleball League (WPBL).

Chris and Gordon preview what’s ahead for WPBL Season 2, set for January 24 to February 8, 2026, at Jio World Garden in Mumbai, India. They discuss the league’s expansion and global significance as teams prepare to battle it out in one of the sport’s most ambitious franchise competitions. With players from around the world drafted into city-based teams and a festival-style fan experi...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont is joined by co-host Gordon Watson for a wide-ranging discussion on the biggest stories shaping pickleball right now.

The episode opens with an update on what the team has been working on behind the scenes, including the continued growth and global reach of World Pickleball Magazine. From there, the conversation moves into one of the busiest periods in recent memory for paddle sponsorships, breaking down major player signings such as Anna Leigh Waters joining Franklin, Federico Staksrud Tardio’s move to Falcolos, and wider shifts involving Fr...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont sits down with Leon Stanga, President and pioneering force behind Pickleball Venezuela.

Leon shares the remarkable story of how pickleball took root in Venezuela, from early grassroots efforts to building a national structure for the sport. The conversation explores the challenges of growing pickleball in emerging markets, the role of leadership and education, and what it takes to introduce a new sport in regions where resources, awareness, and infrastructure can be limited.

Listeners will gain insight into international pickleball development, federation building, tournament growth...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont is joined by Dan Osben and Adam Webb, better known as The Picklebros, one of the most recognisable voices in UK pickleball media.

The conversation explores the current state of pickleball in the United Kingdom, the role of content creators in shaping the sport’s culture, and how grassroots storytelling is helping drive awareness, participation, and community growth. Dan and Adam discuss their journey building The Picklebros brand, what they are seeing on courts across the UK, and where they believe British pickleball is heading next.

Join hosts Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson for a blockbuster week in pickleball news. This episode dives deep into the major UPA contract dispute that has seen top stars like James Ignatovich and Ryan Fu terminated for playing in Japan. The duo also breaks down the massive changes coming to the PPA Tour global rankings, the restructuring of the Polish Pickleball Tour, and the exciting rumours surrounding tennis star Nick Kyrgios making his professional pickleball debut in Australia.

Plus, we recap the APP Tour Championships in Fort Lauderdale and wrap up the year with our...

The boys are back! After a short hiatus involving moving houses to Anglesey and Rockhampton, hosts Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson return to break down a massive week in global pickleball.

In this jam-packed episode, we head to New Delhi for the IPBL 2025 Finale, where the Mumbai Smashers pulled off a stunning Cinderella run—going from the bottom of the table to defeating the Hyderabad Royals 5-1 to take the title.

We also cover PPA Asia in Hangzhou, where Vietnamese players like Hoang Nam Ly dominated the field, and Gordon makes a bold prediction about Au...

Join hosts Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson for another steady and thoughtful look at the stories shaping the global pickleball landscape. Each week, they walk through their own lives on and off the court before diving into the developments that matter across every region of the sport.

In this episode, they examine the proposed merger between the Global Pickleball Federation and the United World Pickleball Federation, a move that may shape the future of international governance. They also look at the European Pickleball Federation’s decision to shift the European Championships to a two-year cycle and introduce a new European Open next November.

Chris and Gordo turn their attention to the World Pickle...

In today's World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson review the World Pickleball League Season Two draft where all seven franchises have drafted their squads for January 2026 in India.

Gordo goes deep into who he thinks the teams to watch might be.

The pair then review (as best they can) the recent pickleball World Cup in Florida and then bring you their thoughts about the PPA World Championships event that took place last week.

There's also some chat about pickleball commentary in general and much more.

Please do subscribe, like...

In this special episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont is joined by fellow commentator Nick Hobbis.

Nick and Chris will be hosting the live coverage of the English Nationals 2025 taking place at the Bolton Arena, and they spend an hour previewing the event.

They exclusively reveal the seedings for;

There's also a little bit of chat around the 35+ 4.5+ categories that Chris will be playing in.

Everything you need to know about the top-level competition...

This week on the World Pickleball Podcast, we cover the biggest stories shaking up the courts. From the latest PPA and APP headlines to the newly revealed World Cup draw, it’s a packed episode of analysis, opinions, and a few surprises.

We talk about the suspension of Dennis Uspensky and what it means for the sport, dive into Lee Whitwell’s candid post on sponsorship, and ask the question everyone’s debating: is pickleball now bigger than padel?

Plus, a look at celebrity players making headlines, our Performer of the Week, and a full wrap o...

In this week’s World Pickleball Podcast, Chris and Gordo return with a packed episode covering the biggest stories in the sport. They unpack a thrilling fortnight of tournaments — from the Asian Pickleball Championships wrap-up to the PPA Tour Vietnam Cup, plus highlights from the APP Tour and CNPL, where the Montreal Lions clinched back-to-back titles.

The episode also teases an exclusive interview with Armaan Bhatia, India’s No. 1 pickleball player, following his historic performances on the global stage.

In the Good News Stories segment, the hosts celebrate a 95-year-old Seattle legend Joyce Jones, who broke...

In today's World Pickleball Podcast, we are honoured to host an athlete who is not just making waves, but charting entirely new territory for his country in the world of professional pickleball.

Our guest is the man widely regarded as India's No. 1 pickleball player, Armaan Bhatia. This 26-year-old from Mumbai has had a truly remarkable and rapid ascent from domestic dominance to the global stage.

Armaan is a pioneer, becoming the first Indian athlete to sign with both the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP). His success has included historic feats...

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, hosts Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson cover the biggest stories in pickleball from Australia and around the globe.

Highlights include:

It's a special edition of the World Pickleball Podcast today as Chris Beaumont talks to Stephen Preissler and Prycen Hass, Men's Open gold medallists for Team Austria in the recent European Championships in Rome, Italy.

Chris talks to the pair about how they got into pickleball, how they ended up being selected for Team Austria and their progress through the draw - ending in an epic victory against Team Spain.

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson break down the latest news and results from around the pickleball world:

If you enjoy the show, please ra...

In a solo podcast, Chris Beaumont sits in Rome Airport and tells you what happened in the last two days of the 2025 European Pickleball Championships.

Chris Beaumont talks to Gordon Watson live from Rome, taking a tour of the European Pickleball Championships in this week's World Pickleball Podcast