About Ivan Jakovljevic

Ivan Jakovljevic is a professional pickleball player competing on the PPA Tour in men's singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles. He has established himself as a notable competitor in the rapidly growing sport of professional pickleball.

Born in Croatia, Ivan Jakovljevic moved to the United States in 2018 to play professional soccer. After 23 years on the pitch, he decided to pursue different goals. He was introduced to pickleball in 2021 while teaching tennis in Tyler, TX. Within a couple of months, Jakovljevic quickly became a self-proclaimed pickleball addict. In November 2021, after winning numerous amateur tournaments, he decided to become more serious about the sport and began competing in professional events in 2022. He relocated from Tyler to Chandler, TX in 2023 and started playing pickleball on a full-time basis. In Ivan’s free time he enjoys spending time with his wife Katie, who he met through pickleball. They are looking forward to welcoming a baby boy in May.