MLP Orlando Tournament Drama: Zane Navratil reflects on the highs and lows of the Major League Pickleball (MLP) event in Orlando, including controversial court colors, rule changes, and tense moments on the court. Despite the drama, Navratil calls it a top-five event of the season.
Court Controversies and Rule Changes
The MLP Orlando event stirred up conversation over the newly painted courts, which featured bright orange and blue colors. While many complaints flooded in, Navratil, who played six matches on the center court, didn’t think the color scheme impacted play. He described it as a “cool and personalized” look from the invested ownership group, adding that it made for some fun memes.
Another major topic of discussion was the introduction of traditional scoring, which fans seemed to miss after getting used to rally scoring. Navratil also discussed the new rule change that allowed players to drop the ball from as high as their shoulder, which led to inconsistent enforcement by referees.
High Drama and Sportsmanship
Navratil highlighted a dramatic moment involving Christian Alshon, who was given a warning for a high release on a serve that he missed. Despite the questionable call, Alshon showed great sportsmanship by following up with a missed serve.
Navratil also reflected on the uncertainty surrounding new serving rules, which he considers another failed regulation experiment. On a lighter note, he mentioned that the Los Angeles Mad Drops team had to use alternate AJ Koller instead of their regular sub West Burroughs, raising questions about the role of alternates in the tournament.
Team Results and Player Performances
The results were a mixed bag, with some teams like Dallas Flash coming out on top, winning all four of their matches. Navratil’s team went 5-1, with three regulation wins and two Dreambreaker wins. However, their dramatic loss to St. Louis Shock was a highlight of the weekend, with Navratil noting the tension in the match.
The women’s team made a late comeback but lost 11-8, which set the stage for a tense match between Hayden Patriquin and Anna Leigh Waters. During this match, Hayden commented Waters that sparked a confrontation. Waters confronted Hayden, and despite the heated moment, Hayden later offered a half-apology for his actions.
Despite the controversies, Navratil praised the event overall, calling it a great start to the season. He commended the crowd, the Orlando Squeeze ownership, and the overall atmosphere. MLP has made its mark in the sport of pickleball, with passionate players and intense competition. The drama in Orlando sets the tone for what is sure to be an exciting season ahead.
News in Brief: MLP Orlando Tournament Drama
Zane Navratil shared his thoughts on the MLP Orlando tournament, which featured drama over court colors, new rule changes, and heated moments between players. Dallas Flash won the event, and despite some controversy, Navratil called the event a great start to the pickleball season.
ALSO READ: How Zane Navratil is Transforming Pickleball with Revolutionary Serve Techniques