Rising Pickleball Star Ava Ignatowich on Balancing College and Pro Play
The University of Miami standout and recent PPA signee discusses her busy schedule and goals for the future
Ava Ignatowich is a rising star in professional pickleball. The 21-year-old signed with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) last year.
But Ignatowich isn't just a burgeoning pro. She's also a standout player for the University of Miami pickleball team while majoring in economics. It's a packed schedule that requires precision time management.
Guesting on the popular Pickleballers Podcast hosted by rec player Tyler Irvin, Ignatowich covered an array of topics in a rapid ten-question format. She discussed her impressive juggling of responsibilities, goals for after graduation, and even offered up some spicy trash talk tips.
1. Overall Thoughts on the 2024 PPA Masters (0:30)
The 2024 PPA Masters in Palm Springs marked one of Ignatowich's first major pro tournaments. She came away pleased with her overall play and results.
Ignatowich was thrilled to partner with acclaimed pro Rafa Hewett in mixed doubles. "I look up to him and I think he's a really great player and it was really awesome to be able to play with him," she said. Her women's partner, Cat Stewart, is a close friend embarking on her pro career after success as a Division I college tennis player.
Ignatowich was proud of her showing. "We competed our hardest and I think it went really well for our first pro tournament together," she stated. A main draw win together marked an important milestone.
2. New Serve Rule, Vulcan Ball (1:20)
The Masters featured experimental rule changes, including restrictions on the serve and introduction of a new ball. Ignatowich admitted that honing her form to comply with the tighter serve regulations impacted her aggressiveness. "I really couldn't focus on that [serving with power] because I had to focus on serving correctly."
However, she's open to adaptations if they continue to be implemented on tour. "I think it will be really interesting to see how the game evolves when you take away the serve as a weapon," Ignatowich commented.
As for the Vulcan ball, she noticed some key differences from the popular Dura used in many amateur competitions. The Vulcan felt slightly heavier and closer to a Franklin. Durability has been solid in early testing.
3. Pro Player, College Player & Student (2:54)
It's no small feat to balance pro tournaments, college competition, and a rigorous academic schedule. But Ignatowich has found a formula that works through strict adherence to routine and understanding when to dial back.
"For anyone who's ever played a Division I sport in college, you know that you have to be insanely disciplined," she emphasized. "I translated that mentality over to pickleball when I switched sports."
Mornings are spent training, afternoons in class, evenings studying and workouts.
Ignatowich currently prioritizes school over anything else. "It's important for me to make sure that I have the space in my life to get the most out of my education while also working hard at my other dreams like pickleball."
4. College/Pro Game (3:33)
While explaining differences between college and pro pickleball, Ignatowich highlighted the role of environment and fan energy. College matches remind her of Major League Pickleball with the constant noise and trash talk between schools.
"No one is going to bring more energy than a bunch of college kids representing their school," she laughed. Ignatowich feeds off that electricity compared to the more subdued pro tournaments.
5. Tournament Schedule (5:07)
Ignatowich maps out her packed calendar with care to avoid burnout. Traveling for pro events while meeting academic demands would quickly lead to overwhelm without strict priorities.
"School is probably my top priority at the moment," she noted. Ignatowich now focuses PPA tournaments over college matches when possible. Yet she still loves the college scene and misses it whenever away.
Overall, the economics major feels she's struck an solid balance so far. But it remains an ongoing process to sustain herself physically and mentally with so much on her plate.
6. How To Get To The Pro Level (6:00)
For those with pro aspirations, Ignatowich urges patience and trusting the process. The college standout acknowledges her own journey from recreational play to now training alongside the world's best has been defined by gradual growth.
"Going from a recreational player to a pro player has been patience and kind of learning the rhythm," she explained. "The pro game is a lot slower." Points themselves unfold at a more methodical pace demanding heightened awareness of shot selection and court positioning.
Building the proper mental stamina to maintain razor focus throughout games has been imperative to Ignatowich's development into a formidable pro.
7. Who Do You Train With (8:02)
In addition to training with University of Miami teammates, Ignatowich regularly practices with renowned local pros who also happen to be close friends.
Nico Acevedo frequently coaches Ignatowich on technical aspects of her game while providing an elite sparring partner. Meanwhile, Christa Gecheva offers another high-level foe whenever she's home from travel.
Her women's partner Kat Stewart has also become a vital part of Ignatowich's training regimen as they build chemistry together. She's thrilled to have such exceptional players push her outside of team environments.
8. What Do You Do Outside of Pickleball (8:44)
Between pro tournaments, college matches, school, and training, Ignatowich lacks substantial free time for hobbies. Yet she embraces all responsibilities with trademark positivity.
"I study a lot more than I would like to," Ignatowich said with a chuckle. Heavy course loads packed with complex economic models and formulas demand most attention when off the court.
Still, she demonstrated grace and perspective when discussing academics or anything else on her crowded plate. Ignatowich feels fortunate to receive elite pickleball training and a first-rate college education while pursuing her passion.
9. After Graduation (9:20)
As graduation looms next year, Ignatowich hopes to play pickleball professionally for as long as possible. Economics prepared her well for potential business or analytics roles connected to sports.
But Ignatowich's clear priority is extending her pro career and seeing how far she can go. With her confident mindset and ever-improving technical skills, many around the pickleball world believe her best is yet to come against the world's best.
10. University of Miami Pickleball Pitch (9:39)
Ignatowich concluded the podcast interview with an enthusiastic appeal for prospective students to choose Miami for its pickleball resources. She cited ideal weather year-round, an influx of public courts to meet demand, along with all the pros who call South Florida home.
"If you come to the U, you'll be really close to probably some of your role models which is awesome," she said. Ignatowich dreamed of going pro as a teen and now finds herself drilling with idols on a regular basis.
For any passionate college pickleball player eyeing the next level, Ignatowich insists you can't top the pipeline at Miami as a launch point for greatness.
Conclusion
Packed days are the norm for Ava Ignatowich as she carefully balances different worlds with grace and grind. Though just 21, her wisdom and leadership shines through. Expect Ignatowich to continue her rise in professional pickleball while keeping education a priority.
- 0:30 Overall thoughts on the 2024 PPA Masters
- 1:20 New Serve Rule, Vulcan Ball
- 2:54 Pro Player, Collage Player & Student
- 3:33 College/Pro Game
- 5:07 Tournament Schedule
- 6:00 How To Get To The Pro Level
- 8:02 Who do you train with
- 8:44 What do you do outside of pickleball
- 9:20 After Graduation
- 9:39 University of Miami Pickleball Pitch
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