A CPA-turned-professional with four MLP event titles and a former world No. 1 singles ranking
Navratil grew up in Racine and won three Wisconsin high-school tennis state championships before competing at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. He earned an accounting degree, received Academic All-America recognition and worked at Deloitte & Touche as a CPA before committing to professional pickleball full time in 2020.
His professional identity combines quick movement, reliable shot selection and an analytical understanding of patterns. Navratil also became closely associated with the chainsaw spin serve before later rule changes removed that technique from sanctioned play, and he has continued to teach the sport through clinics, instructional videos and podcast work.
What has Zane Navratil won?
Navratil has won four Major League Pickleball events and two PPA titles. His MLP championships came with BLQK, the Orlando Squeeze and the New Jersey 5s before his 2026 move to Chicago.