Zane Navratil Reveals the Key to Pickleball Success: Since turning professional in 2020, Zane Navratil has become one of the sport’s standout figures, achieving a remarkable list of accomplishments that include multiple medals, MLP titles, and co-hosting the popular PicklePod podcast. As one of the fastest-rising stars in pickleball, Navratil’s passion for the sport is undeniable. At the 2024 Pickleball Business Forum, he shared insights for high-level tennis players looking to transition into the game.
Do You Really Want It?
Navratil’s advice to tennis players eyeing pickleball success is simple yet blunt: “The first question is: Do you really want it?” His journey serves as an example of what’s possible, even for players who might not have been standout tennis stars.
“There’s a lot of people that might be coming off a pro or college tennis career and they’ve seen a bunch of people who were former tennis players now succeed in pickleball. I would be a perfect example of that. I played Division III tennis. I had a great time, but I was not this super special tennis player.” – (Zane Navratil)
Now, as a veteran among his peers, Navratil is ranked in the Top 20 in men’s doubles on the PPA Tour. His message to prospective pickleball pros is clear: the commitment required goes beyond what many might expect.
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Obsession Is Key
Navratil’s path to success is a reminder that passion and dedication must drive every step. “The question is: Do you want this as a living or do you love pickleball?” he asked.
“If your answer is that you want this as a living, then it’s probably not the right thing for you. You have to be obsessed with this game. You have to practice somewhere between as much as a tennis player and a golfer practices, which is spending hours a day drilling on the court.” – (Zane Navratil)
He compares the level of commitment needed to that of a tennis player or a golfer, stressing the importance of hours of practice on the court.
Relocation for Success
For players serious about reaching the top, Navratil emphasizes the need to relocate to pickleball hubs like Austin, TX, where other pros are constantly pushing each other to improve.
“If you don’t respect this game, it doesn’t matter how good you were at tennis. You have to be obsessed with this game to get anywhere.” – (Zane Navratil)
Anna Bright’s Take
Anna Bright, a former collegiate tennis player who transitioned successfully into pickleball, also weighed in on the issue.
“Some people see pro pickleball as something easy and some kind of escape from a normal job, but it takes a lot of hard work, talent, and skill.” – (Anna Bright)
She added that addiction to the sport is a must for any top-level player.
“Every top pro and everyone who’s regularly being shown on PickleballTV, we’re all addicted. Even if that addiction changes from the start to where we are now, you still have that addiction. That’s a requirement.” – (Anna Bright)
Tennis Skills Don’t Guarantee Pickleball Success
Navratil added to Bright’s point, noting that success in tennis doesn’t automatically translate to dominance in pickleball. He shared an example with Jack Sock, a tennis player whose skills have helped him transition to pickleball, but whose success is still dependent on his obsession with the sport.
“I’ve seen a lot of people say, ‘I’ve beat someone like Anna at tennis, and she’s No. 2 in the world in pickleball, so pickleball should be easy for me.’ But, that idea has no bearing on how you’re going to be at pickleball.” – (Zane Navratil)
“Jack Sock is a perfect person to transition from tennis to pickleball. His skill set in tennis translates better than almost anybody else, and he’s had good results and bad results. But, if he doesn’t get obsessed with pickleball, he’s not going to be No. 1.” – (Zane Navratil)
In pickleball, success isn’t guaranteed by tennis history alone. As Navratil puts it, being good at tennis doesn’t mean the players will find immediate success on the 20×44 court. The key to success in pickleball is simple but demanding—obsession.
News in Brief: Zane Navratil Reveals the Key to Pickleball Success
Zane Navratil, a standout pickleball player, emphasized the importance of obsession for success in the sport during the 2024 Pickleball Business Forum. Navratil shared his experience transitioning from Division III tennis to becoming a top PPA Tour player, advising tennis players that commitment to the game is key.
He stressed the need to practice relentlessly and potentially relocate to pickleball hubs like Austin, TX, to excel. Navratil and Anna Bright agreed that a genuine addiction to pickleball is essential for reaching the highest levels of success.
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