Saturday, September 30, 2023
2023 APP Atlanta Metro Open
Friday, September 29, 2023
2023 MLP Atlanta: The PicklePod Podcast - Rachel Rohrabacher
Major League Pickleball Champions Reflect on Historic Win
Rachel Rohrabacher and Zane Navratil Discuss Upset Victory and Bright Future of Professional Pickleball
New York, NY - In a dramatic Major League Pickleball (MLP) final, underdogs Rachel Rohrabacher and Zane Navratil led the Orlando Squeeze to victory over tournament favorites the DC Pickleball Team. Rohrabacher, an MLP rookie, proved clutch under pressure, winning multiple dream breaker points to seal Orlando's comeback.
PicklePod Podcast co-hosts Thomas Shields and Zane Navratil sat down with Rohrabacher to discuss the Orlando Squeeze teams champion chemistry, the future of pickleball, and life in the spotlight.
Underdog Triumph: Rachel Rohrabacher and Zane Navratil's Major League Pickleball Atlanta Finals Comeback
Introduction:
In the high-stakes world of professional pickleball, unexpected twists and incredible comebacks can redefine the narrative of a tournament. The Major League Pickleball Atlanta finals witnessed one such remarkable turn of events as Rachel Rohrabacher and Zane Navratil orchestrated an astonishing comeback. In this Q&A interview clip from the PicklePod Podcast, we delve into their journey, emotions, and strategy, as they share insights from their unforgettable finals match.
Interviewer (1): Rachel, had you played with any of your team previously?
Rachel Rohrabacher: Yes, I played with Andrei at the Utah tournament. We teamed up together and did pretty well. We beat Anna and James in the first or second round, but then we lost to Zane in the round of 16. That was the only time I'd ever played with Andrei. After that, I went down to Orlando during the Joola Clinic and spent about four or five days drilling and playing a lot with Anna.
Interviewer (2): In the championship match, you guys went down zero games to two. What was the energy like on the team bench in that moment?
Zane Navratil : When we were down 0-2, it definitely felt like the mountain was getting taller. We knew it wasn't looking good, but we were saying, "Stay hot." Rachel and Anna had lost for the first time all weekend, and Andrei and I got down big. I switched over to the left, and I was feeling really good towards the end of that match. We lost, but we were putting our lineup out first, and I kept saying, "Guys, I want a mix match." I knew Rachel and I were underdogs on paper, but we wanted to play our hearts out.
Interviewer (3): What was going through your mind during that 0-2 moment in your match?
Rachel Rohrabacher: It did feel like the mountain was getting taller, but when they put Jackie and Christian on the other side, I thought Anna and Andrei could get one on the board. I was feeling really fired up and excited to play against Riley and Jade. I knew I was a bit of a wildcard, and if I went crazy, it might catch them off guard.
Interviewer (4): Do you think there was an advantage for you, not knowing Riley's game, in that moment when Rachel went up against him?
Zane Navratil: I think not knowing Riley's game might have been an advantage for Rachel. Tennis players have certain patterns, and it can be easier to read where they're going. In a matchup between two players who haven't faced each other before, I'd say Riley had the advantage because his game is unconventional.
Interviewer (5): Let's talk about this "daddy" talk. What's the story behind that?
Zane Navratil : Well, after we won the match, Rachel decided to have some fun with Rafa. She started hitting him with shots and talking some smack. So when we did the interview, I responded to Rafa's comments and said that Rachel is his daddy. It's all in good fun, and we even made some t-shirts with that slogan.
Interviewer (6): What exactly did Rafa say that prompted this "daddy" talk?
Zane Navratil: The "daddy" talk actually began when Rafa Hewett decided to talk a bit of trash after they beat us in men's doubles. Rachel, being the fierce competitor she is, didn't hold back and gave it right back to him during the mixed match. It was all in good fun, and we have a lot of respect for each other. In the end, it added some spice to the tournament and even became a running joke.
Interviewer (13): You've played with Rafa before. What's your relationship like with him?
Rachel Rohrabacher (14): We've played together in two tournaments so far, and we get along well. We have a good rapport, and we're actually teaming up again in Vegas next weekend.
Summary:
Rachel Rohrabacher and Zane Navratil discuss their path to the Major League Pickleball Atlanta finals, their comeback from a 0-2 deficit, and their unique experiences in facing opponents. The interview sheds light on the dynamics of the finals, the mindset of the players, and the unexpected "daddy" talk that became a highlight of the tournament. Furthermore, they provide a glimpse into their future matchups and the camaraderie that defines professional pickleball.
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