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Tina Pisnik

Tina Pisnik - Pro Pickleball Player

Gender

Female

Age

44

Location

Bradenton, Florida

Plays

Right-handed

Latest from Tina

Tina’s Profile

Tina Pisnik was born in Maribor, Slovenia, into a family with a strong athletic background; her father, Boris, was a former Slovenian national soccer player and coach, and her mother, Saska, was an economic technician. She began playing tennis at the age of seven, quickly rising through the ranks in Slovenia. By 1999, she turned professional, and over the next six years, she achieved a career-high singles ranking of No.

29 and a doubles ranking of No. 63. Her tennis career was marked by resilience and determination, culminating in her participation in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, representing Slovenia.

In 2004, a serious car accident led to neck surgery and the insertion of two artificial discs into her spinal column, forcing her to retire from professional tennis after seven years. Despite the setback, Pisnik remained involved in the sport by coaching tennis in Slovenia. In 2015, she moved to Chicago with her wife, Maja, to continue coaching, and later relocated to central Florida in 2021.

In 2022, she was introduced to pickleball by a friend and quickly rediscovered her competitive spirit, leading her to compete professionally. In her first year, she earned a silver medal in mixed doubles at the Vulcan Tournament of Champions and a gold medal in mixed doubles at the APP Chicago. She also joined Major League Pickleball, playing for the California BLQK Bears and later the Texas Ranchers.

Her transition from tennis to pickleball showcases her adaptability and enduring passion for racket sports. Currently, Pisnik resides in Bradenton, Florida, where she continues to coach tennis and compete professionally in pickleball, balancing her athletic pursuits with her personal life. She shares her life with her wife, Maja, and their two English Labradors, Sam and Ash, who are often featured in her social media posts, offering fans a glimpse into her life off the court.

Popular Video

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“I had spent so much of my life training and playing tennis that I didn’t know who I was outside of being an athlete.” (Reflecting on her transition to pickleball)

— Tina Pisnik

Top Strategy Tips

1

Focus on aggressive serve-and-volley play to control the net early in rallies.

2

Maintain mental toughness and discipline to stay unfazed by distractions during matches.

3

Leverage your tennis background to execute precise and powerful serves.

🏆 Career Highlights

Silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2023 Vulcan Tournament of Champions

Gold medal in mixed doubles at the 2023 APP Chicago

Signed a three-year deal with the PPA Tour in 2023