Asian Pickleball Pros Are Built DIFFERENT... (Pipe Smoking & Unspoken Rules)

Are Aussie pickleball players too boring? 🇦🇺

In this episode of Around the Pod, Josh Chia and Michael Murrell sit down with Gold Coast pro Nick Maleganeas and Perth’s Nigel Lee fresh off the court for the PPA Melbourne 250!

We dive deep into why playing pickleball in Asia hits differently (getting cooked by pipe-smoking locals, 5 AM street food, and insane hand speed), why Perth lacks dedicated pickleball courts, and Nick’s spicy hot take on ref strictness ruining player personalities. Plus, we wrap up with the ultimate Aussie Pickleball "Love Island" draft!

🎙️ HOSTS
• Josh Chia instagram.com/chia_pickleball
• Michael Murrell instagram.com/yeahniceshot

GUESTS:
• Nicholas Maleganeas
• Nigel Lee

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A special thanks to our studio sponsor, Pickle4real — Melbourne’s premier indoor pickleball centre in Mentone.
Pickle4Real features eight climate-controlled indoor courts for social play, coaching, DUPR games, tournaments and private events. Open seven days a week, it also hosts PPA and DUPR competitions and offers venue hire and event support.
Play indoor pickleball in Melbourne at Pickle4real:
■ Website: pickle4real.com.au
■ Instagram: instagram.com/pickle4real
■ Facebook: Pickle4real Facebook
■ Join Pickle4real League
■ Location: 36–40 Shearson Crescent, Mentone VIC 3194