This pro went absolutely ape sh** w/ Altaf Merchant
11/30/23 • 68 min
1 Listener
Altaf Merchant joins the pod after completing a perfect season in men’s senior pro doubles. The Mumbai Monster recaps the most exciting matches on his way to a 59-0 record.
Merchant explains how his fiery personality has gotten him into trouble on the court and shares why he thinks he was snubbed in the MLP 2023 draft.
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Win apparel from The Pick and a new paddle from Veloz in our new giveaway https://giveaway.thedinkpickleball.com/thepick-veloz
Win a pickleball facility and a lifetime of pickleball gear! https://picklryourcity.kickoffpages.com/
Shop performance-driven comfort from Vuori https://vuoriclothing.com/thedink
Not only will you receive 20% off your first purchase, but enjoy free shipping on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns
Check out the new Helios and Titan Elite paddles from Takeya https://takeyausa.com/collections/pickleball
Rep the latest in dink branded merch at https://repthedink.com/
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Show Notes
0:00 Merchant vs the internet
5:32 Altaf’s claim to fame
9:34 The pressure of entering the senior tour
12:29 Hip thrusts for everyone
16:34 Altaf was snubbed for MLP
24:21 The race to sign Altaf
28:09 Pickleball in India
31:37 Best/Worst Zane memory
33:28 Any beefs on tour?
40:15 Rapid fire Altaf
43:28 Commitment to be a pro
48:59 Top 5 in all the wrong categories
51:58 Stop Alzheimer’s Now Campaign
59:39 Altaf’s social media team
1:02:20 How many matches to get an invite back to the pod?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Altaf Merchant joins the pod after completing a perfect season in men’s senior pro doubles. The Mumbai Monster recaps the most exciting matches on his way to a 59-0 record.
Merchant explains how his fiery personality has gotten him into trouble on the court and shares why he thinks he was snubbed in the MLP 2023 draft.
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Win apparel from The Pick and a new paddle from Veloz in our new giveaway https://giveaway.thedinkpickleball.com/thepick-veloz
Win a pickleball facility and a lifetime of pickleball gear! https://picklryourcity.kickoffpages.com/
Shop performance-driven comfort from Vuori https://vuoriclothing.com/thedink
Not only will you receive 20% off your first purchase, but enjoy free shipping on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns
Check out the new Helios and Titan Elite paddles from Takeya https://takeyausa.com/collections/pickleball
Rep the latest in dink branded merch at https://repthedink.com/
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam
-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
------------------
Show Notes
0:00 Merchant vs the internet
5:32 Altaf’s claim to fame
9:34 The pressure of entering the senior tour
12:29 Hip thrusts for everyone
16:34 Altaf was snubbed for MLP
24:21 The race to sign Altaf
28:09 Pickleball in India
31:37 Best/Worst Zane memory
33:28 Any beefs on tour?
40:15 Rapid fire Altaf
43:28 Commitment to be a pro
48:59 Top 5 in all the wrong categories
51:58 Stop Alzheimer’s Now Campaign
59:39 Altaf’s social media team
1:02:20 How many matches to get an invite back to the pod?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Previous Episode
Grading the Nationals Experience w/ Connor Garnett
Connor Garnett is in studio to cover everything from Nationals in Dallas. The former investment banker made the switch to full-time pickleball in 2023 and it is paying off.
Garnett weighs in on the drop serve discussion and Zane explains why the serve is so difficult to regulate. Connor shares his experience with the progression draw and questions if JW Johnson and Collin Johns swap secrets to benefit the Columbus Sliders. Don’t miss Connor on this all-new episode.
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Win a pickleball facility and a lifetime of pickleball gear! https://picklryourcity.kickoffpages.com/
Shop performance-driven comfort from Vuori https://vuoriclothing.com/thedink
Not only will you receive 20% off your first purchase, but enjoy free shipping on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns
Find and book private courts in your area with https://swimply.com/
Rep the latest in dink branded merch at https://repthedink.com/
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam
-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
------------------
Show Notes
0:00 Explaining the rules to Connor Garnett
3:55 Banker in previous life
7:55 The decision to go full-time
10:36 Let’s talk about Nationals
16:45 The amateur experience with UTPR and sandbagging
22:01 Progression draw loved it, hated it and indifferent
31:05 JW the first new champ in 7 years
37:31 Haworth’s big upset
40:01 Collin claps back at DUPR
47:03 Do JW and Collin share secrets at MLP?
51:37 Lea Jansen wants to change the serve game
58:51 AJ and Fed at Nationals
1:06:58 The status of San Clemente
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Next Episode
Ben Johns is the luckiest player in pickleball w/ special guests
Thomas is away and Zane is hosting a party. Jason Bock and Carlos Di Laura join Zane in-studio to cover a disappointing loss at MLP San Clemente, action from the PPA Finals and all things Austin pickleball.
Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Shop performance-driven comfort from Vuori https://vuoriclothing.com/thedink
Not only will you receive 20% off your first purchase, but enjoy free shipping on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns
Rep the latest in dink branded merch at https://repthedink.com/
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam
-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
------------------
Show Notes
0:00 Stop Alzheimer’s Now big give
5:50 Introducing Jason and Carlos
10:54 PPA Finals coverage
16:04 Collin Johns’ thoughts on sportsmanship
19:50 Magnified version of personality on court
26:49 Favorite chirp and net cord philosophy
30:29 MLP San Clemente not a Superfinal
36:17 Genie Erokhina’s teardrop
40:24 Sportsmanship award and bad line calls
46:24 Neil’s replay at APP Chicago
52:37 The Dutch Auction for MLP 2024
1:02:46 What’s the right formula for pro play?
1:04:56 The world’s slowest Nasty Nelson
1:07:43 Stats vs Coaching
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