We meet Croatian pro pickleball player Domenika Turković

Domenika Turković (Photo credit: APP – Association of Pickleball Players)

Former top-ranked Croatian junior tennis player Domenika Turković has transitioned from the tennis court to the fast-growing world of professional pickleball in the U.S.

In this exclusive interview with Croatia Week, Domenika shares her journey, ambitions, and what the sport means to her—and what she hopes it could become for Croatia.

Can you tell us about your background and tennis career?

I was born in Zagreb and started playing tennis when I was six years old. I grew up competing in tournaments around Europe and became the number one player in Croatia when I was 16. I played a few professional tournaments before moving to the U.S. in 2018 on a tennis scholarship at the University of Central Florida.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I transferred to Arizona State University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in sports law and business. My college tennis team ranked as high as 17th in the country, and my personal rankings reached No. 7 in doubles and No. 69 in singles. My current home base is in Florida, one of the hottest spots for professional pickleball.

You’ve transitioned into professional pickleball. How and when did that happen?

I started playing pickleball about two years ago and began competing professionally a year and a half ago. I actually got into the sport by accident—through a job as Head Pickleball Professional at Mission Hills Country Club in California.

(Photo credit: APP – Association of Pickleball Players)

To receive the highest coaching certification, I had to compete in a few tournaments. I decided to jump straight into the pro scene and did decently well. It was so much fun to compete again after finishing my tennis career, and I thought it could be a good side gig. After just a few months, it turned into a full-time job, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

Who do you play for, and what does your training schedule look like?

Pickleball is mainly an individual sport like tennis, so I compete in singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles at each tournament. There are a few professional team leagues, but I’m not part of one yet.

(Photo credit: APP – Association of Pickleball Players)

I train six days a week, balancing on-court practice with off-court workouts. Adding yoga, gym sessions, and treadmill runs has helped my game tremendously. Right now, I play in all APP (Association of Pickleball Players) tournaments, which includes about 12 events per year.

I’m also expanding into PPA Challenger events, European tournaments, and the Pickleball World Cup. I spend most of the year traveling either for tournaments or training.

What do you enjoy most about the game, and what’s been your most memorable moment?

I love how social pickleball is—it’s easy to make friends for life through this game. It’s also constantly evolving, which keeps things exciting. There are always new shots and strategies to learn.

(Photo credit: Chama Creates, USA)

My most memorable moment so far was reaching my first-ever Championship Sunday and winning a silver medal in a professional singles tournament in Ohio.

Can you make a living from playing pickleball professionally?

It’s not easy yet. One of the professional leagues offers substantial salaries, but it’s tough to break into. The other leagues offer decent prize money, but you need to consistently reach at least the semifinals.

(Photo credit: Chama Creates, USA)

There’s still room for improvement when it comes to supporting professional players financially. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for sponsors to help with travel and tournament expenses. Right now, I’m sponsored by CRBN, Grizzlee Grips, and GameChangeHer. Their support has been a big part of my success so far.

Are there any other Croatian professional pickleball players?

Yes! There are a few Croatian players based in the U.S. who are competing professionally—Ivan Jakovljević, Lorena Duknić, Tea Pejić, and Marko Lovrinović. We’re hoping to have a Croatian team represent us at the European Championships in Rome, Italy, and at the Pickleball World Cup in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

(Photo credit: Chama Creates, USA)

What are your future plans in the sport or in your studies?

I already have two degrees from Arizona State University, and I completed two semesters of a doctorate before pausing my education to pursue my professional career.

In the next few years, I plan to continue competing at the highest level and focus on promoting Croatian pickleball on the international stage. Since I live and train in the U.S., I need to be mindful of my professional athlete visa status, but I also want to expand my tournament schedule into Europe and Asia.

Do you visit Croatia often? What do you miss when you’re away?

I wish I could visit more often, and if everything works out with my visa, I plan to return a few times a year. What I miss most is my family—they’ve always been an incredible support system. I also really miss the food and the beaches. U.S. food can’t compare to ours in any way! I’m a big fan of bakeries, so living outside of Europe is tough for that, haha.

(Photo credit: Chama Creates, USA)

What are your aspirations for promoting pickleball in Croatia?

I would love to help grow the pickleball scene in Croatia and hopefully help build an Olympic team one day. We’re a small country, but the way we compete for each other is special. I’d love to bring that same spirit to pickleball.

This sport has done wonders in the U.S. in terms of bringing people together, and I believe we can create that same energy at home. It’s also a great platform to raise awareness for special organizations and build lifelong friendships.

(Photo credit: Chama Creates, USA)

Domenika will be in action at Pickleball Klub 002 in Zagreb on 15 June for a special event event promoting the game while raising funds for a meaningful cause—supporting children with cancer in Croatia.

You can find out more about the event and to get involved here (details on flyer below).