2025 PPA Masters: BEN JOHNS TRIES TO MURDER QUANG DUONG! Sorry Not Sorry

 

0:00 Ben Johns trying to take Quang Duong's head off 6:49 Mixed Doubles Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns v Tyra Black/Christian Alshon Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns v Catherine Parenteau/Federico Staksrud 27:10 Men's Doubles Federico Staksrud/Hayden Patriquin v Jaume Martinez Martinez Vich/Augie Ge Ben Johns/Collin Johns vs Federico Staksrud/Hayden Patriquin 39:05 Women's Doubles Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau v Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher 47:45 Men's Singles Tyson McGuffin v Gabriel Joseph Federico Staksrud v Jaume Martinez Vich 54:27 Pros Switching Paddles 57:11 Women's Singles Anna Leigh Waters v Kaitlyn Christian 1:01:32 Hooks Of The Week

The TRUTH about the UPA "emergency" bridge loan

 

Please be advised this transcript is AI-generated and may not be word for word. Time codes refer to the approximate times 

The UPA Financial Controversy

A Special Report by Pickleball Tech Dude

Speaker: Rafael Trevino

Time Stamps:

• 00:00 - INTRO: Overview of the controversy
• 00:47 - JILL BRAVERMAN STATEMENT: Analysis of Braverman's claims
• 11:58 - UPA CEO STATEMENT: Connor Pardoe's response
• 16:15 - NEW UPA CSO STATEMENT: Samin Odhwani's perspective
• 20:08 - OUTRO: Final thoughts and channel updates

Transcript

[00:00] INTRO Pickleball social media has been spiraling out of control ever since Pro Player Jill Braverman's accusations that the UPA requires a $10 million emergency Bridge Loan by January 15th to stay afloat. I've spoken with several people over the last couple of days, both with and without dogs in this fight, to glean the facts about the situation. Today, we're going to dissect both Jullian Braverman's as well as a couple of UPA Executives' statements—very serious statements which, ironically, came out via Twitter. To be clear, I haven't read any of the statements in full, so I'm going to be reacting to these alongside with you partially, and if there's any information that I'm unaware of or unsure, I'm not going to be afraid to tell you guys, but I'm also not going to hold back. So by the end of the video, you're going to know absolutely everything that I know. So let's get into it.

[00:47] JILL BRAVERMAN STATEMENT Let's go through this bit by bit, and I'll interject with my commentary. Let's start with Jillian Braverman's statement: "10 months after the Blockbuster $75 million merger between Major League Pickleball, LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Heiser Bush and Tom Dundon's Carvana Top Golf back PPA tour, the new entity, the UPA needs an emergency Bridge Loan of $10 million by January 15th to meet its Financial Obligations."

The statement for the most part is accurate, but there are some misleading connotations here. Putting "$75 million merger" in quotations is definitely accurate. From my understanding, the number was closer to 30 to 40 million, and the 10 million dollar value of the loan on top of it being a January 15th deadline are both correct as well. However, calling this an "emergency bridge loan" is 1,000% a stretch. Bridge Loan requests are often sent months in advance to pre-existing investors, so my assumption is that that money has likely already been raised; otherwise, we'd be seeing emergency meetings with investors now. So the lack of evidence of that doesn't point to any kind of emergency whatsoever. 

2025 PPA Masters

 

Gold

Anna Leigh Waters v Kaitlyn Christian
Federico Staksrud v Jaume Martinez Vich
Johns/Johns v Staksrud/Patriquin
Waters/Parenteau v Bright/Rohrabacher
Waters/Johns v Parenteau/Staksrud 

Bronze
Alshon/Daescu v Martinez Vich/Ge
Johnson/Black v Glozman/Kawamoto 
Connor Garnett v Tyson McGuffin

16U Junior Girls Final

Cosma Huynh v Gonzalez Maldonado

Semifinals

2 Bright/Rohrabacher v 3 Johnson/Black 
Staksrud/Patriquin v Martinez Vich/Ge
Johns/Johns v Alshon/Daescu 
Parenteau/Staksrud v Rohrabacher/Ignatowich
Waters/Johns v Black/Alshon
Connor Garnett v Jaume Martinez Vich
Catherine Parenteau v Kaitlyn Christian
Federico Staksrud v Tyson McGuffin
Anna Leigh Waters v Parris Todd

Quarters

Waters/Parenteau v Jansen/Kovalova
Johnson/Johnson v Rohrabacher/Ignatowich
Bright/Patriquin v Black/Alshon 
Parenteau/Staksrud v Pisnik/Bar
Waters/Johns v Irvine/Tardio
Jaume Martinez Vich v Julian Arnold
Connor Garnett v Jack Sock
Lea Jansen v Parris Todd
Kaitlyn Christian v Genie Bouchard
Tyson McGuffin v Gabriel Joseph
Federico Staksrud v Christian Alshon
Catherine Parenteau v Mary Brascia 
Anna Leigh Waters v Kate Fahey

Round 16

Johns/Johns v Rettenmaier/Young
Irvine/Jones v Christian/Gecheva 
Waters/Parenteau v Phillips/Imparato
Johnson/Johnson v Smith/Devilliers
Bright/Patriquin v Kovalova /Wright
Black/Alshon v Schneemann/McGuffin
Waters/Johns v Gecheva/Johns
Connor Garnett v Roscoe Bellamy
Dylan Frazier v Jack Sock
Parris Todd v Jorja Johnson
Brooke Buckner v Genie Bouchard
Federico Staksrud v Zane Ford 
Jaume Martinez Vich v Michael Loyd 
Catherine Parenteau v Layne Sleeth
Anna Leigh Waters v Liz Truluck

Round 32

Bright/Rohrabacher v DiMuzio/Rosati 
Frazier/Tellez v Alhouni/Brown
Jansen/Kovalova v Ignatowich/Conard
Fahey/Pisnik v Braverman/Raney 
Staksrud/Patriquin v Goldin/Madonia
Johns/Johns v Black/Pailet 
Waters/Parenteau v Ingram/Wilcox
Kawamoto/Martinez Vich v Todd/Duong
Dizon/Koller v Bouchard/Sock 
Bright/Patriquin v Phillips/Smith
Dylan Frazier v Blaine Hovenier 
Jack Sock v Eric Roddy
Parris Todd v Judit Castillo
Genie Bouchard v Hannah Blatt 
Federico Staksrud v Pesa Teoni 
Tyson McGuffin v Tyler Loong
Anna Leigh Waters v Sahra Dennehy

Round 64

Bouchard/Sock v Zilveti/Smith
Schneemann/McGuffin v Igleski/Narayanan
Stratman/Arnold v Castillo/French
Smith/Devilliers v Tauber/Young 
Todd/Duong v Newman/Hovenier 
Jansen/Daescu v Raney/Dayan 
Sleeth/Rettenmaier v Imparato/Jakovljevic

Media

• Masters Instagram Account

• Waters secures Triple Crown No. 31 with women’s singles win over Christian Even after playing eight games of doubles, Anna Leigh Waters looked as fresh as ever in the women's singles final.
• Staksrud downs Martinez Vich for men’s singles gold, announces split from JOOLA  The biggest news from the men's singles final came after play had already concluded.
• Late run helps Waters, Parenteau defeat Bright, Rohrabacher in four games The rivalry is alive and well in the early stages of 2025. 
• Johns bros capture title in final tournament together (at least for now) It’s only fitting that the Johns brothers ended their partnership with a title.

2025 Schedule

 

Video: 2024 December Daytona Beach OpenWD
Anna Leigh Waters/Leigh Waters vs Jorja Johnson/Tyra Black (Gold Medal)

Month	Days	Tournament	Location
January	6-12	The Masters	Rancho Mirage, California
January	28-2	Australia Pickleball Open	Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre – 1 Convention Place, South Wharf, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
February	5-9	Tucson Open	Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club – 4001 N Country Club Rd, Tucson, Arizona 85716
February	17-23	Carvana Mesa Cup	Arizona Athletic Grounds – 6321 S Ellsworth Rd, Mesa, Arizona 85212
March	5-9	Cape Coral Open	Lake Kennedy Racquet Center – 420 SW 2nd Avenue, Cape Coral, Florida 33991
March	12-16	CIBC Texas Open	Courts of McKinney – 3253 Alma Rd, McKinney, Texas 75070
April	1-6	North Carolina Open	Cary Tennis Park – 2727 Louis Stephens Dr, Cary, North Carolina 27519
April	8-13	Red Rock Open	Little Valley Sports Complex – 2149 Horseman Park Dr, St George, Utah 84790
May	12-18	Atlanta Open	Life Time Peachtree Corners – 6350 Courtside Dr NW, Peachtree Corners, Georgia 30092
June	16-22	Select Medical Orange County Cup	Life Time Rancho San Clemente – 111 Avenida Vista Montana, San Clemente, California 92672
August	6-10	Bristol Open	Bristol Sportsplex – 109 Raytheon Rd, Bristol, Tennessee 37620
September	8-14	Cincinnati Cup	Lindner Family Tennis Center – 5460 Courseview Dr, Mason, Ohio 45040

2024 BEST MATCHES OF THE YEAR - Sorry Not Sorry

 

2024 Best Matches

0:00 Veolia Desert Ridge Open Jaume Martinex Vich vs Federico Staksrud 5:06 Atlanta Open Anna Leigh Waters vs Parris Todd 11:07 Atlanta Open Jade Kawamoto/Andrea Koop vs Lea Jansen/Callie Smith SF 24:38 Orange County Cup Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns vs JW Johnson/Jorja Johnson 28:59 APP (ESPN) Will Howells/Patrick Kawka vs Erik Lange/Max Manthou 32:26 APP Newport Beach. CA Megan Fudge vs Kate Fahey 38:03 Kansas City Open Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns vs JW Johnson/Jorja Johnson 46:13 Utah Open Andrei Daescu/Gabe Tardio vs Pablo Tellez/Hayden Patriquin SF 54:07 Atlanta Slam Connor Garnett vs Hunter Johnson 58:53 Rate Championships Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher vs Allyce Jones/Tyra Black QF 1:09:23 Virginia Beach Cup Jackie Kawamoto/Riley Newman vs Catherine Parenteau/Christian Alshon 1:19:54 Rate Championships Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau vs Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher 1:39:59 Milwaukee Open Jackie Kawamoto/Jade Kawamoto vs Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher 1:50:04 MLP Playoffs Orlando Dallas Flash Pickleball vs New Jersey 5s

Pickle with Mickle Interview Series: On the Court with Camila Zilveti

 

From Court to Commerce: A Rising Star's Journey Through Professional Pickleball

Camila Zilveti on Building a Pickleball Empire While Competing at the Highest Level

In the rapidly evolving world of professional pickleball, few stories are as compelling as that of Camila Zilveti. A former tennis player turned pickleball professional, Zilveti has quickly established herself not only as a formidable competitor but also as an entrepreneur in the sport's burgeoning equipment market. In a wide-ranging interview with Leighton Moore on The MicklePod, Zilveti offered unique insights into the professional pickleball landscape and her dual role as athlete and business owner.

1. [0:11] How did you first get involved in pickleball and meet your fiancé?
   Camila discovered pickleball in Austin two years ago at some "grimy" courts on the east side. There, she met her fiancé Brian, a former college tennis player. After winning her first PPA 3.0 tournament, where people suggested she was playing in too low a category, she rapidly progressed to the professional level.
   
   
2. [7:12] What's your approach to tournament preparation, especially with different partners? 
   
   "It really depends who you're playing with," Zilveti explains. She emphasizes the importance of recreational games to develop partnership dynamics, especially with new partners. With her fiancé, she notes better performance due to their extensive playing time together: "He knows what I'm about to hit before I know that I'm about to hit it."
   
   
3. [22:45] Tell us about your paddle brand, 110 Sports, and Pickleball Cowboy.
   
   Zilveti created both ventures, with 110 Sports focusing on innovative paddle design. Their paddles come pre-weighted with built-in lead tape, addressing a common player modification. Pickleball Cowboy started as a hat company when Zilveti noticed a lack of stylish pickleball headwear options, and it has since expanded significantly.
   
   
4. [30:14] What's your perspective on the current paddle testing protocols and grit regulations?
   
   "Every single paddle factory before they send it to USAP sand down their paddles before they get them approved," Zilveti reveals. She discusses the upcoming changes in testing protocols, including potential measures to ensure retail paddles match approved samples, and the industry-wide challenge of maintaining legal grit levels.
   
   
5. [35:39] Where are the best places to play pickleball in Austin?
   
   Zilveti creates weekly Instagram content highlighting different courts, noting that the best location depends on specific needs: "Are you looking for free, are you looking for membership based, are you looking for indoor, are you looking for available during peak hours?" She particularly recommends Serratt and PanAm for social play, and Urban for the best views.
   
   
6. [40:11] How has your multicultural background influenced your life and career?
   
   Growing up with a German mother and Chilean father in Guatemala, Zilveti learned German and Spanish before English. She attended both German and American schools, creating a unique multilingual environment where language choice depended on the conversation participant.

Summary: This comprehensive interview reveals Zilveti's multifaceted role in professional pickleball, from her rapid rise as a player to her entrepreneurial ventures. Her insights into paddle manufacturing and testing protocols provide a rare glimpse into the industry's technical challenges, while her personal story highlights the sport's ability to create meaningful connections and opportunities.

Time Code List

1. 00:00 Introduction and Background
2. 02:25 Pickleball in Austin and Finding Love
3. 07:12 Tournament Preparation and Partner Dynamics
4. 10:40 Partnerships and Future Plans
5. 13:44 Upcoming Tournaments and MLP
6. 18:55 Challenges and Opportunities in the Pickleball Industry
7. 22:45 Creating Pickleball Cowboy and 11.0
8. 30:14 Cracking Down on Paddle Grit
9. 35:39 The Best Places to Play Pickleball in Austin
10. 36:37 Traveling and Skiing: Camila's Passions
11. 40:11 Fluency in German and Spanish: Camila's Bilingual Background
12. 45:02 Favorite Movies and TV Shows: Camila's Recommendations

Julie Johnson: The Matriarch of the #1 Family in Pro Pickleball

 

Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:41 Julie’s Childhood & Background 4:42 The Johnsons Decision to Move to Florida 6:20 How Did the Johnsons Get Into Pickleball? 9:37 When Did Julie Start Playing Pro? 12:06 The Inception of the Johnson 5 16:47 Coach Julie’s Journey 24:46 The MLP Championship Series, Dallas Flash 32:14 Do Pro Pickleball Players Work Hard? 36:20 Investment Opportunities? 40:30 Jdub and Jorja’s Sponsors 41:15 Julie Playing in Pro Events 43:23 How Does Julie Juggle It All? 45:50 What Does the Future Look Like for the Johnsons? 51:02 The Johnsons Support at MLP Championships 54:10 Outro