Vivian Glozman on Her UPA Termination, the Future of PPA, & More!

Have you ever wondered what actually happens behind the scenes when pro pickleball players get terminated from a tour? In this episode, Vivian Glozman joins Katrina (The Pickle Kat) and James Ignatowich to discuss: The technical adjustments that changed Vivian's game How she went from the PA school grind to becoming a pickleball pro The reality of player and fan burnout with the current PPA schedule Exclusive vs. non-exclusive contracts: How to actually grow the sport of pickleball The real story behind the infamous Japan trip and tour terminations involving Vivian, James, Ryan Fu, and Parris Todd Pro tips: How 4.5 players can transition to the 5.0 level Plus rapid-fire questions on boys on tour, the best-dressed pros, the funniest hate DMs, and an impromptu Chinese-speaking battle! - Follow Vivian! Instagram:   / vivian_glozman   Foodie Instagram:   / toastwithviv   Follow Open Play Pickleball! Instagram:   / openplaypb   X: https://x.com/OpenPlayX Facebook:   / 19vkre.  . Follow Katrina! Instagram:   / thepicklekat   Follow James! Instagram:   / jamesignatowich   X: https://x.com/jignatowichpb Facebook:   / jamesignatowichpb   Make sure you are subscribed to our channel because we have more episodes and more guests lined up! #pickleball #ppatour #pickleballpodcast #majorleaguepickleball ———————— TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro & Key Technical Adjustments to the Game 01:20 How Vivian Discovered Pickleball & Her "Pickle Mom" 03:15 Cutest Boys in Pickleball & Player "Icks" 05:50 Best Dressed on Tour: Inside Parris's Dream Closet 07:40 The Future of PPA: Saturation, Burnout & Tennis Models 11:00 APP Hometown Win & Thoughts on the Progressive Format 13:15 Advice for 4.5 Players Looking to Hit 5.0 15:20 Vivian's Fast Hands Drill & Training Tips 17:00 The Morning of the PPA Termination: Reactions & Blackout Paddles 21:15 Monopolies vs. Inclusivity: The Business of Pro Pickleball 23:40 Learning Chinese, Duolingo Streaks & Flirting in a Foreign Language 26:50 Rapid-Fire Food Questions: Chai, Bingsu & Why Wings Are Too Messy 29:30 The Japan Trip Reality & Handling Mean Comments/DMs 31:10 Live Chinese Speaking Battle & James's Factory Life in China