Steve Weissman, Matt Manasse and Kamryn Blackwood at the 'Pickleball Live' desk.
Steve Weissman, Matt Manasse and Kamryn Blackwood at the 'Pickleball Live' desk. PickleballTV

A historic moment: 'Pickleball Live' debuts on PickleballTV

Wednesday marked the start of something special in the picklesphere.

The postgame show Pickleball Live officially debuted on PickleballTV following Round of 32 coverage of the CIBC Atlanta Slam presented by Vizzy, and it will continue daily at the conclusion of play through Championship Sunday.

"Welcome into our beautiful PickleballTV studios here in Santa Monica, CA! It’s a huge day. The first-ever edition of Pickleball Live," said host Steve Weissman, as the inaugural live program began. "Over the next half hour, we’re going to bring you the best highlights, insight, analysis, and the biggest stories in the world of pickleball."


Weissman was joined at the desk by analysts Matt Manasse and Kamryn Blackwood, who shared their thoughts on some of the more notable matches in the Peach State.

"The Voice of Pickleball" Dave Fleming also joined the show live from the host venue.

His top story of the day was the performance of a player who recently earned a runner-up finish in mixed doubles at the US Open in New York City... and then hung up his tennis racquet for good.

"It’s got to be Donald Young. He’s from Atlanta, he’s playing on center court, and he gets a big win over another tennis superstar, Jack Sock, so he’s moving on," shared Fleming, referencing Young's victory in men's doubles with Travis Rettenmaier. "He’s talking about building this big pickleball complex. This dude is shifting from tennis to pickleball in a flash."

Fleming also commented on the PPA Tour's newly installed close call replay system.

"It’s unbelievably important. Now there’s no question about where the ball is. There’s no question on center court. Did that ball touch the line? Did it not? We’ll be able to get all those replays," he said. "We love our referees. It makes their job easier. And now the players can’t wonder, ‘Was that ball in or out?’ And it will actually improve the line calls they make because they know we’ve got cameras all over them."

Dave Fleming joins Pickleball Live from Life Time Peachtree Corners.
Dave Fleming joins Pickleball Live from Life Time Peachtree Corners. PickleballTV

No pickleball-related broadcast would be complete without a chat about World. No 1 Anna Leigh Waters, of course, and Pickleball Live delivered in that department, too.

Manasse commented on her remarkable dominance at such a young age.

The 17-year-old remains a perennial Triple Crown threat in every tournament she enters.

"You can’t even really verbalize it. It’s kind of like [Novak] Djokovic 2011 until now. It’s that kind of dominance, but Djokovic lost more than three times during that reign. And he’s not playing doubles and mixed," explained Manasse. "It's just physically how she’s able to stay in, week in and week out, but more mentally. This domination started when she was 15 years old. She's such a young athlete to be a prodigy and continue this dominance. It’s really so impressive."

The “Pickleball Coach to the Stars” also provided Blackwood with a serve lesson.

It was an interactive segment that showcased the importance of proper technique.

"If I can teach [former NFL player] Marcellus Wiley the serve, then anyone can learn that serve," joked Manasse. "We’re going to start with the basics a little bit. Obviously, a low-to-high motion. We have to get underneath the ball. I like the contact point a little bit out in front. In pickleball, we need to go diagonally, right? That swing path needs to come across our body, low to high. I’m looking to brush up on that ball to get topspin. And I like to finish just like that forehand in tennis, over the shoulder, getting that brush. And again my paddle is square on contact, it’s not funky facing all different ways."

Matt Manasse giving a lesson.
Matt Manasse providing Kamryn Blackwood with a few tips. PickleballTV

It was an enjoyable debut for a program that definitely appeals to pickleball fans eveywhere.

"It’s the fastest-growing sport in the country," emphasized Blackwood. "I think we’re making a name for ourselves, so it’s only right and fitting that we finally have Pickleball Live."

She's absolutely right.