Zane Navratil is a professional pickleball player whose quickness, innovation, and passion have helped shape the modern game. Born on November 2, 1995, in Racine, Wisconsin, Zane grew up excelling in tennis, winning three Wisconsin state tennis championships for The Prairie School. He continued his tennis career at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, earning Academic All-American honors and a degree in Accounting.After working as a COPA at Deloitte, Zane decided to leave the corporate world in 2020 to pursue pickleball full-time. This bold decision quickly paid off, as he became one of the top-ranked players in both singles and doubles. Known for his relentless agility, strategic gameplay, and game-changing serve innovations, Zane has established himself as one of the sport’s most exciting and influential players.Zane’s "chainsaw serve," a spinning serve that disrupted opponents and led to rule changes, is a testament to his creativity and influence on the game. His ability to blend precision with athleticism has consistently placed him among the best players in the world.Fun Facts:• Animal Lover: Zane and his girlfriend, Jennifer, own a dog named Murray, who has become a beloved part of their pickleball journey.• Philanthropy: He serves as an ambassador for "Stop Alzheimer's Now," combining his platform with meaningful causes.• Entrepreneurship: Zane conducts pickleball clinics across the U.S., sharing his expertise and inspiring players of all levels.
What innovative serve is Zane Navratil credited with popularizing?
Zane Navratil popularized the Spin Serve, which was so effective it led to a rule change banning it.
Zane Navratil popularized the Spin Serve, which was so effective it led to a rule change banning it.
Zane is a licensed CPA with a master’s degree in Accounting.
He focuses on serving drills to master spin and precision, even after the Spin Serve ban.
He popularized the Spin Serve, which became so effective that it led to a rule change banning it.
His agility and ability to cover the court make him a threat in singles and doubles.