April 15, 2024 (Brisbane, AUS) – Major League Pickleball Australia’s Ludovica Sciaky has a lot on the go. The second-year Brisbane Breakers captain is once again leading her team on the court as well as leading the charge on her recently launched pickleball brand, Standout Pickleball. She also manages KT Academy Pickleball on the Sunshine Coast.
Hailing from Milan, Sciaky has called Brisbane home for a decade after originally moving to the country to study business. The education appears to have paid off, with her second pickleball business venture Standout Pickleball launching in March. Prior to her introduction to pickeleball, she founded a mobile tennis coaching company that provided coaching services across the country.
Sciaky’s previous pickleball venture saw her as founder of Six Zero Pickleball. Multiple factors played a role in what eventually resulted in the forfeit of her share in the company. It’s the latest example of a barrier the serial entrepreneur has experienced and overcome in her career.
“I didn’t want to sell the business but I was kind of forced to do so,” said Sciaky. “I had a few months where I didn’t want to play pickleball at all and I just tried to keep distance from anything related to pickleball…”
With support of her family and a nomination to lead the Breakers in their inaugural MLP Australia season, Sciaky returned to the pickleball courts and began to develop what is now Standout Pickleball.
“I decided to return to play because I have good examples of resilience within my family,” added Sciaky. “My mom is such such a strong personality. She never gives up in anything she does. So, I decided to keep pursuing my dream. I just started it all over again with the knowledge and experience that I’ve gained from my previous ventures. The exciting part is that everyone that was next to me in the beginning when I started Six Zero are here now.”
Sciaky credits her experience in professional tennis and the pressure associated with competing around the globe at the pro level—a career that was cut short at age 18 due to a car accident—with her ability to manage her current status as one of pickleball’s top players as well as business owner and operator. When asked who inspired her as a young athlete growing up, she lists tennis’ Serena and Venus Williams as two of her idols.
“The Williams sisters are the players that inspired me most for everything they did. Not just from the way they play tennis, but for everything they did for the sport beyond that. Breaking down sexist, racist, maternal, and financial barriers.”
Her on-court success and entrepreneurial drive has her positioned to inspire future pickleball players and the sport in much the same way.
“What they taught me is that anything is possible and whatever you put in your mind to is achievable,” concluded Sciaky. “I’m very confident in that part of me and my team of engineers, who are helping bring Shoutout to life. it’s going to be an exciting journey.”
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