Pickle with Mickle Interview Series: On the Court with Camila Zilveti

 

From Court to Commerce: A Rising Star's Journey Through Professional Pickleball

Camila Zilveti on Building a Pickleball Empire While Competing at the Highest Level

In the rapidly evolving world of professional pickleball, few stories are as compelling as that of Camila Zilveti. A former tennis player turned pickleball professional, Zilveti has quickly established herself not only as a formidable competitor but also as an entrepreneur in the sport's burgeoning equipment market. In a wide-ranging interview with Leighton Moore on The MicklePod, Zilveti offered unique insights into the professional pickleball landscape and her dual role as athlete and business owner.

1. [0:11] How did you first get involved in pickleball and meet your fiancé?
   Camila discovered pickleball in Austin two years ago at some "grimy" courts on the east side. There, she met her fiancé Brian, a former college tennis player. After winning her first PPA 3.0 tournament, where people suggested she was playing in too low a category, she rapidly progressed to the professional level.
   
   
2. [7:12] What's your approach to tournament preparation, especially with different partners? 
   
   "It really depends who you're playing with," Zilveti explains. She emphasizes the importance of recreational games to develop partnership dynamics, especially with new partners. With her fiancé, she notes better performance due to their extensive playing time together: "He knows what I'm about to hit before I know that I'm about to hit it."
   
   
3. [22:45] Tell us about your paddle brand, 110 Sports, and Pickleball Cowboy.
   
   Zilveti created both ventures, with 110 Sports focusing on innovative paddle design. Their paddles come pre-weighted with built-in lead tape, addressing a common player modification. Pickleball Cowboy started as a hat company when Zilveti noticed a lack of stylish pickleball headwear options, and it has since expanded significantly.
   
   
4. [30:14] What's your perspective on the current paddle testing protocols and grit regulations?
   
   "Every single paddle factory before they send it to USAP sand down their paddles before they get them approved," Zilveti reveals. She discusses the upcoming changes in testing protocols, including potential measures to ensure retail paddles match approved samples, and the industry-wide challenge of maintaining legal grit levels.
   
   
5. [35:39] Where are the best places to play pickleball in Austin?
   
   Zilveti creates weekly Instagram content highlighting different courts, noting that the best location depends on specific needs: "Are you looking for free, are you looking for membership based, are you looking for indoor, are you looking for available during peak hours?" She particularly recommends Serratt and PanAm for social play, and Urban for the best views.
   
   
6. [40:11] How has your multicultural background influenced your life and career?
   
   Growing up with a German mother and Chilean father in Guatemala, Zilveti learned German and Spanish before English. She attended both German and American schools, creating a unique multilingual environment where language choice depended on the conversation participant.

Summary: This comprehensive interview reveals Zilveti's multifaceted role in professional pickleball, from her rapid rise as a player to her entrepreneurial ventures. Her insights into paddle manufacturing and testing protocols provide a rare glimpse into the industry's technical challenges, while her personal story highlights the sport's ability to create meaningful connections and opportunities.

Time Code List

1. 00:00 Introduction and Background
2. 02:25 Pickleball in Austin and Finding Love
3. 07:12 Tournament Preparation and Partner Dynamics
4. 10:40 Partnerships and Future Plans
5. 13:44 Upcoming Tournaments and MLP
6. 18:55 Challenges and Opportunities in the Pickleball Industry
7. 22:45 Creating Pickleball Cowboy and 11.0
8. 30:14 Cracking Down on Paddle Grit
9. 35:39 The Best Places to Play Pickleball in Austin
10. 36:37 Traveling and Skiing: Camila's Passions
11. 40:11 Fluency in German and Spanish: Camila's Bilingual Background
12. 45:02 Favorite Movies and TV Shows: Camila's Recommendations