Andre Agassi enters professional pickleball tournament at U.S. Open

In the United States, tennis legend Andre Agassi announced his participation in the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, marking his debut in the professional pickleball scene. This major event, which draws significant crowds and participation, is slated to take place in Naples, Florida, starting the weekend of April 30, 2025. Agassi, who is well-known for his tennis career, collected two out of his eight Grand Slam titles at the U.S. Open, making this association with a tournament that shares the same name particularly meaningful. Alongside him will be Anna Leigh Waters, the current top-ranked player, who has expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Agassi in this competition. The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships has rapidly gained popularity since its inception in 2016, now attracting as many as 50,000 fans each year. Agassi, upon entering this new arena, commented humorously about being approached by Waters, suggesting her boredom from winning led her to seek out his skills. Both athletes share a similar gameplay style that embraces an aggressive approach, which they believe will contribute positively to their performance together. Agassi, having explored pickleball's inclusive nature, aims to boost the sport's profile through participation and partnerships. Despite his success in tennis, which includes a career Grand Slam achieved by winning titles at all major tennis tournaments, Agassi’s long-term engagement with pickleball is not yet defined. He clarified that he does not currently plan to join leagues like Major League Pickleball or the PPA Tour due to other commitments. Agassi, who retired from professional tennis in 2006, still holds a prominent place in sports, serving as the inaugural chair of the pickleball and tennis board for Life Time and working in promotions for pickleball gear company Joola. His passion for the sport and dedication to its growth reflect the increasing interest in pickleball in the U.S., where the sport's popularity surged by 311% in three years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Agassi also plays a crucial role in promoting pickleball through engaging outreach and community building efforts. He emphasizes that while he enjoys the competitive aspect of the game, fostering participation and popularity is one of his main objectives. As he embarks on this new journey at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, Agassi continues to bridge his storied history in tennis with the dynamic and fast-growing world of pickleball, aiming to inspire both fans and new players alike during this first competition episode and beyond.