Maria Klokotzky

Maria Klokotzky is a professional pickleball player who made the leap from NCAA Division I tennis, picking up a paddle around 2020 and quickly proving she belonged on the pro circuit. A former police officer and college professor, Maria brings a unique life resume to the court that few can match. She earned a 2022 Nationals gold medal and 2023 Provincials gold in Canada before making her mark on the PPA Tour, where she pulled off a memorable upset as the No. 47 seed at the Stratusphere Gin Virginia Beach Cup. Based out of St. Petersburg, she also competes on the Canadian CPA Pro Tour.

What makes Maria so fun to watch is her adaptability. Her tennis finesse translates beautifully to pickleball's precision game, and she's known for strong hands and surprising firepower at the net. She competes across all three disciplines - singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles - and has faced top players like Eugenie Bouchard in tournament play. As a mother of two who juggles multiple careers, Maria's journey to pro pickleball is one of the most inspiring stories on tour.