June (2023) Pro Series: Zane Navratil

Well known for his online presence, Zane Navratil is an elite professional pickleball player who presents himself professionally but also lighthearted and with a genuine, approachable personality.

From what I’ve read and researched, Navratil comes from an accounting background and made the leap into pickleball full-time just a couple of years ago.

The first time I had ever heard of Zane was when I was watching my friends Matt and Jess Kawamoto playing him and his mixed partner at the 2019 US Open in Mixed Doubles Age 19+.

From what I saw that day and how Zane has continued his pro journey, my opinion is that he made an immediate impact on the pro scene with his quick hands and lightning footwork.

For those of you who entered the game more recently, Zane is also well known for his spin serve, where you flick the ball with the non-paddle hand before striking it with your paddle.

The flick and pace creates this huge kick when the ball lands on the opposite side of the court.

There are plenty of videos online showing just how effective this serve is; and I have a friend who pretty much mastered this serve and proved its effectiveness in the 2021 Canadian National Championships in Red Deer, Alberta. This spin serve was outlawed by USA Pickleball as of January 2023. 

Anyway, let's dive in to the interview...

Photo credit: PPA Tour

Name: Zane Navratil
Sponsored by: ProXR Pickleball
Paddle: Zane Navratil Signature
Recent Achievement(s): Major League Pickleball Premier League First-Round Draft Pick

Q. How long have you been playing pickleball and how did you enter the world of pickleball?

My dad started playing pickleball, and I had the preconceived notion that it was a sport for old people. I went to the Caesar Chavez center in Racine, WI and got my butt kicked by Lyle, Harvey, and Al. I've never met a 27 year old named Lyle, Harvey, or Al...They were, let's say, much older than I was, and I didn't enjoy losing to them. I was a tennis player and they were pickleball players. I was initially motivated to continue playing pickleball so that I could beat those old guys, but I fell in love with the game in the process!

Q. What was your first pro tournament and who did you pair with? 

2019 US Open–Pro Singles, MD with Altaf Merchant, MXD with Bobbie Phoumy.

Q. Can you share with the readers a stand out moment for yourself, out of any pro tournament you’ve competed in?

2021 Punta Gorda was my first professional gold medal. Also, winning 2022 Austin MLP which remains tied for the largest payout in pickleball.

Q. Do you have a favourite drill? If so, what is it?

Oh yeah! All of my favorite drills are available on my YouTube Channel - Zane Navratil Pickleball!

Q. How often do you drill per week versus playing competitive games (as a form of practice)?

I typically drill one hour for every one hour that I play. When drilling, you can hit 4-5 times as many pickleballs as opposed to playing.

Q. Who’s your pickleball hero?

Altaf Merchant. That energy is unmatched.

Q. Name your top 3 favourite shots?

- Tomahawk. What’s a tomahawk? 
- Forehand Drive - Nothing more satisfying than blitzing a nice forehand
- Forehand Hybrid

Q. Many people feel that a good player can play either side, but do you prefer a certain side (and why)? Overall, what’s your opinion regarding “left side vs right side” players and do you think that new way of categorizing a player will stick?

I think over time, most people develop a favorite side. Mine changes daily! I think there are good skills to be learned on both sides of the court, but I think that elite tournament players will start to specialize in one side or another.

Photo credit: Major League Pickleball 
(left to right: Rafa Hewitt, Zane Navratil, Irina Terechenko, Parris Todd)

Q. What’s your favourite pickleball moment to-date (can be an on court or off court experience)?

Punta Gorda and Major League Pickleball.

Q. Name 3 other people you’d like to play a day of rec games with and what is the match up/why?

Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates. We would put $1,000,000 on myself and Warren versus Elon and Bill. And the conversation would be pretty interesting!

Q. What is your favourite tournament format to play in and why? 

I love the team format of Major League Pickleball. It takes me back to my college tennis days!

Q. What does the sport of pickleball need the most in order for it to get to the “next level” (can answer from a USA, Canadian or global perspective)?

I think participation in high school and college is key. Once this is embraced as a high school sport, the floodgates will open.

Q. What’s your favourite flavour of ice cream? 

Phish Food from Ben and Jerry’s is the best ice cream ever!

Q. How do you recover from a day of competition in order to get ready for the next day? 

Yobow massage gun for the sore areas! Lots of sleep!

Photo credit: PPA Tour

Q. Do you have a favourite tournament that you attend each year?

Major League Pickleball.

Q. In how many years do you think pickleball will be an Olympic sport?

Hard to say. It sounds like there’s a big push to have it in the 2028 LA Summer Olympics.

Q. What’s your favourite piece of advice to give to a beginner? 

The fastest way to get better is to isolate certain skills and drill! It'll make playing more fun!

Q. Can you share with the readers something unique about yourself?

I’m obsessed with my dog Murray!

Bonus question(s): Do you have any pre-tournament rituals? 

I try to keep my same routine! I’ll answer emails on the morning of tournaments because that's what I do every morning.

Zane, you contribute to a blog on The Dink, create instructional video content and coach pickleball clinics and lessons. Aside from competition, how many hours are you investing in this new profession?

It’s far more than a full time job! Probably 6 hours of desk work and 4 hours of court time/training per day, 7 days a week!

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