Matty Pickles, the ever-authentic voice from the sidelines, took fans on a whirlwind journey at the MLP Austin event, offering an unscripted behind-the-scenes look into the matches, the people, and the passion driving professional pickleball. What began as a spontaneous opportunity to commentate quickly evolved into a deeply personal day of gratitude, gameplay, and unvarnished commentary on teams like the Miami Pickleball Club, Dallas Flash, and the rising New Jersey 5s. Here’s a breakdown of the action and emotion—Matty-style.
🕛 00:00 Matty P on the call
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Matty joins Michelle McMahon in the booth for men's doubles.
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Miami Pickleball Club faces Dallas Flash.
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Dallas enters winless in Austin; Miami holds a key win over St. Louis Shock.
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Detailed play-by-play and strategy insight.
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Julie Johnson joins the booth—mother and coach to JW and Georgia Johnson.
Summary:
Matty kicks off his day in the commentary booth for a men's doubles matchup between the Miami Pickleball Club and Dallas Flash. The analysis flows fast: Miami is 6-6 but boasts a critical win over the top-tier St. Louis Shock. Dallas, meanwhile, is still looking for its first victory in Austin, having lost to both Orlando and Texas. Matty and Michelle McMahon detail the aggressive tactics of Dallas, particularly their targeting of Auggie, and the standout defense from No Way Cliff. The match dynamic is dissected in real time, and Matty flexes the Real Clear Stats to back up his insights.
A standout moment comes when Julie Johnson—coach and mother to JW and Georgia—joins the booth. Julie lightheartedly shares how her daughter’s old Texas Ranchers gear now serves as cleaning supplies, offering a hilarious and humble glimpse into the family behind the rising stars.
🕒 3:42 Reaction to that, getting in some games, Texas vs Miami
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Matty reflects on being called up for commentary at the last minute.
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Expresses gratitude to mentors and analytics tools like Real Clear Stats.
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Chugs a spicy margarita post-broadcast to decompress.
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Gets in some recreational games with Kitchen fans.
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Offers real-time reactions to Miami’s surprising win over Texas women’s doubles.
Summary:
Fresh off the adrenaline high of calling the match, Matty reflects on the whirlwind of events that led him to the booth. He credits Ryan Dwigin, Carolyn Penner, and Ben from Real Clear Stats for empowering him with both opportunity and data. Though unsure how he performed, the experience was exhilarating. “It’s just a ton of fun,” he admits.
Post-commentary, Matty grabs a spicy margarita and heads to the courts to join the Kitchen crew in a few games—because why not keep the pickleball rolling? While there, he learns that Miami took the women's doubles match against Texas—a result that surprises him, though he acknowledges Miami played strong earlier. It’s a moment of humility as he reconsiders his earlier assumptions about the Miami team.
He then sneaks in a rant about being “freaking dying out here” for a burger before heading off to catch the mixed doubles action—an authentic slice of life from the MLP grind.
🕗 8:36 Jimmy Miller, Erik Tice, and NJ5s vs Dallas!
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Matty interviews Erik Tice and Jimmy Miller ahead of NJ5s vs Dallas.
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Erik calls it a “vengeance match.”
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Jimmy Miller discusses the Black Bears' progression from rough starts to recent wins.
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Matty jokes about muting his own broadcast during film review.
Summary:
Matty pops over to catch pre-match vibes from the NJ5s camp. Team captain Erik Tice confidently declares, “100% vengeance match,” signaling this game means more than just another win. Then, Matty chats with Jimmy Miller of the Black Bears, who reflects on their rocky start but says the team is finding its rhythm. The chemistry’s coming together, and recent wins suggest a promising path forward.
In a moment of self-deprecation, Matty laughs about his commentary debut during one of the Bears' matches, advising Jimmy to “hit the mute button” before doing any film review. Turns out, they already did—classic.
🕐 13:06 Wifey Pickles, Baby Pickles & Basil + Outro
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Matty signs off with love for his family: Wifey Pickles, Baby Pickles, and Basil the dog.
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Embraces a moment of gratitude after a chaotic, fulfilling day.
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Hints at more coverage to come and a lot more pickleball to watch.
Summary:
In signature Matty Pickles fashion, he closes out the day by giving shoutouts to his home team—his wife, baby, and pup Basil. It's a full-circle moment that blends passion, play, and personal pride. From spontaneous commentary gigs to spicy margaritas, from self-doubt to crowd roars, Matty’s day at MLP Austin was anything but ordinary. His parting message? There's still a lot more pickleball to play—and he’s all in.
📋 Article Summary
Matty Pickles’ commentary debut at MLP Austin offered an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the pro pickleball world from a fan-turned-broadcaster’s lens. Through real-time match breakdowns, humorous anecdotes, and sincere gratitude, Matty revealed what makes Major League Pickleball so magnetic—its people, its unpredictability, and its passion.
Key storylines included Miami's unexpected win over Texas, the evolving chemistry of the NJ5s and Black Bears, and Matty’s honest take on broadcasting highs and hiccups. Anchored by strong statistical insights and lifted by personal charm, this piece captures the heart of a day where everything just clicked—for the players, the fans, and for Matty Pickles himself.
🎶 "Dreambreaker Blues: The MLP Showdown" 🎶
🎺 Instrumentation & Vocals
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Verses: Jazz guitar riffs, upright bass, and a steady hip-hop beat.
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Chorus: Full band with brass section, harmonized vocals, and a gospel choir feel.
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Bridge: Saxophone solo with a lo-fi hip-hop rhythm.
🎤 Lyrics
Verse 1: Folk Storytelling
In Austin's heart, where paddles clash,
Matty Pickles called the match.
MLP's finest took the stage,
Dallas Flash and Jersey's rage.
Erik Tice, with stats so clear,
Chronicled each point and cheer.
Real Clear Stats in hand, he wrote,
Of battles fierce and dreams afloat.
Chorus: Gospel Choir & Rap Fusion
Dreambreaker blues, the final fight,
Under Orlando's glowing light.
Dallas Flash and Jersey 5s,
Playing for their playoff lives.
Verse 2: '90s Rap Style
Yo, JW and Jorja, sibling power,
Taking sets hour by hour.
Tyra Black with hurricane force,
Augie Ge on a winning course.
Anna Lee and Will Howells in stride,
Zane by their side.
Meghan Dizon, swift and keen,
Jersey's squad, a well-oiled machine.
Chorus: Gospel Choir & Rap Fusion
Dreambreaker blues, tension high,
Every shot, a do or die.
Dallas Flash and Jersey 5s,
Battling under Texas skies.
Bridge: Jazz Instrumental
Saxophone wails, echoing the crowd's roar,
Piano keys dance, as players score.
Bass and drums in rhythmic embrace,
Capturing the match's fervent pace.
Verse 3: Folk Narration
Match one, Jersey took the lead,
With precision, power, and speed.
But Dallas struck in match two's frame,
Turning tides, igniting flame.
Final match, the stakes were set,
Every rally, a winning bet.
Matty Chugs of spicy margarita cheer,
Fans and players drawing near.
Chorus: Gospel Choir & Rap Fusion
Dreambreaker blues, the story told,
Of courage, grit, and hearts bold.
Dallas Flash and Jersey 5s,
Legends in pickleball archives.
Outro: Spoken Word
Matty Pickles behind the scenes,
Captured unscripted dreams.
Julie Johnson's insights deep,
In memories, these moments keep.
📝 Behind the Music: Crafting "Dreambreaker Blues"
Inspiration & Theme:
"Dreambreaker Blues" was inspired by the thrilling 2025 MLP Premier Level Championship between the Dallas Flash and the New Jersey 5s. The song aims to encapsulate the intensity, drama, and emotion of the matches, highlighting key players and moments that defined the tournament.
Musical Composition:
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Verses: Blend of folk storytelling and '90s rap to narrate the events dynamically.
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Chorus: Gospel choir elements to elevate the emotional stakes.
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Bridge: Jazz instrumental to reflect the game's fluidity and unpredictability.
Lyrics & Storytelling:
The lyrics weave a narrative of the championship's progression, spotlighting players like JW and Jorja Johnson, Tyra Black, Augie Ge, Anna Leigh Waters, Zane Navratil, Will Howells, and Meghan Dizon. It references key matches, scores, and turning points, such as the Dreambreaker decider and the pivotal performances that led to Dallas Flash's victory.
Production & Collaboration:
The song was a collaborative effort, combining insights from sports journalists like Erik Tice and incorporating behind-the-scenes perspectives from Matty Pickles and Julie Johnson. The fusion of musical genres mirrors the diverse talents and backgrounds of the players, celebrating the unity and excitement of Major League Pickleball.
Conclusion:
"Dreambreaker Blues" stands as a tribute to the athletes' dedication, the fans' passion, and the sport's growing legacy. It's not just a song but a chronicle of a landmark event in pickleball history.
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