Andre Agassi, the 54-year-old tennis icon and former world number one, is poised to make his professional pickleball debut at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida. Agassi will be paired with the equally as impressive 18-year-old Anna Leigh Waters. She’s currently ranked #1 in the Professional Pickleball Association for singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Agassi’s tennis accomplishments are truly remarkable, with eight Grand Slam titles and 60 total ATP Tour-level wins to his name. Today, he’s immersing himself in the high-octane sport of pickleball, a sport that combines tennis with badminton. First played by a bunch of American pals in 1965, pickleball boasts as colorful a history as its name suggests. Players experience unparalleled excitement on smaller courts with a unique perforated plastic ball that equally thrills players and spectators.
Even with his new rags-to-riches pickleball story on his record, Agassi can’t predict a career in this new sport after the week is up. He jokingly referred to his collaboration with Waters. He argued that she was the one who invited him to be there, due to her continued excellence in the sport.
“She’s probably sick of winning so much, and that’s why she called me and asked me to play.” – Andre Agassi
Agassi admitted he understands that there’s a difference between tennis and pickleball. While he expressed enthusiasm for the competition, he recognized the limitations of his current lifestyle, stating, “If I had the luxury of bandwidth to focus all my energy on just playing and body recovery and all that stuff, that would be a joy. I don’t. I’m in a different season now.”
When Agassi steps onto the court, he’s bringing his legendary status into play. Perhaps more important is the self-deprecating and sarcastic sense of humor he possesses, especially when it comes to his potential impact on the game. He laughed about his ability to weigh down Waters during their bouts. That humble comment belied his understanding that he was aware of the distinct generational divide in their level of athletic prowess.
The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships are poised to take center stage. Best athletes from all over the country will compete against each other to prove which city has the best athletes. With Agassi’s entry into the event, there’s a whole new level of buzz about the competition. His partnership with Waters should make for an interesting combination of experience and youthful energy.
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