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In this episode of the Picklepod, we’re joined by Tanner Tomasi, calling in from India at 4:30 PM while Zane grinds at 6 a.m. and Nico barely keeps his eyes open at 3 a.m. 🌍☕

Tanner breaks down his experience competing in the World Pickleball League, including the unique format, 18 straight days of matches, and what it was like playing against elite international talent — plus Eric Lang’s final pro tournament ever.

From there, the conversation takes a sharp turn into one of our hottest debates yet: Is doubles pickleball closer to professional gaming than tennis? We dive into reaction time, pattern recognition, neuroplasticity, and why former gamers may actually have an edge at the highest level of the sport.

Tanner also opens up about his journey from full-time Fortnite streamer to pro pickleball player and content creator, sharing hard-earned lessons on social media growth, consistency, YouTube strategy, and why the packaging of content matters more than most people realize.

Finally, we roll into the Dink Awards, spotlighting the most influential voices, best on-air personalities, and top pickleball podcasts — with plenty of opinions, debates, and classic Picklepod chaos along the way.

This one hits pro pickleball, content creation, gaming crossover, and the future of the sport — don’t miss it.

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Follow Tanner https://www.instagram.com/tanner.pickleball/

Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

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0:00 Tanner Calls In From India: World Pickleball League Explained

3:04 Does Pickleball Need a Mercy Rule? (7–0 Skunk Debate)

8:00 Tanner’s Background: From Fortnite Streaming to Pickleball

17:27 Discovering a niche in pickleball content

23:30 Who will be the Mr. Beast of pickleball?

27:01 The 120Life Dink Awards Most Influential Voice

34:53 Best On-air Personality and who you want to see in the booth

41:55 Podcast of the Year and the co-host tournament challenge

49:59 Pickleball YouTuber of the Year Award and Best Instructor

53:27 Content Creator of the Year completes the triple crown

58:39 The Viral Moment of the Year Award

1:05:31 Pickleball Journalist of the Year Award

1:07:02 Does pickleball have its Super Bowl event?

1:14:38 Start every match with a Nasty Nelson

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