Owensboro’s Altaf Merchant found a new level of success over the weekend, claiming the gold medal in the Chicago Pickleball Open alongside playing partner Zane Navartil. The win moves Merchant into the top 8 in the men’s doubles global rankings of The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP).
Merchant and Navartil (from Milwaukee) beat Adam Stone and Jay Deviellers, who were undefeated going into the finals.
After losing game one 11-1, Merchant and Navartil won games two and three 11-9 and 11-4 to force a one-game playoff for the gold medal. The duo saved a few match points before winning what Merchant said was an “epic” game 19-17 under the lights in Chicago.
Merchant and Navartil finished third in both the New Jersey Open last month and the Indianapolis Open in June. Next up for the pair is the Atlanta Open in two weeks.
“Zane and I have had so many close matches and chances to win gold in pro events over the past couple years. It was great to finally get over the hump and win a gold in a pro event,” Merchant said. “We really felt great Thursday afternoon in our practice session. This was our biggest check as a team so far.”
Earlier this year, Merchant claimed the bronze medal in the men’s pro split division of the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Fla. It’s technically the fifth medal Merchant has won in the U.S. Open, but his first playing in a pro division. Merchant played alongside Rick Witsken of Indianapolis.
After achieving global success as a pickleball player, Merchant announced a major effort to give back to the community that’s supported him along the way by becoming the naming sponsor for Centre Court.
