What's happened
Former tennis champion Andre Agassi will make his professional pickleball debut at the US Open Pickleball Championships next week, partnering with top-ranked player Anna Leigh Waters. Agassi, who retired from tennis in 2006, has previously participated in exhibition matches but this marks his first official competition in the sport.
What's behind the headline?
Overview
Agassi's entry into pickleball highlights the sport's rapid growth and appeal among former athletes.
Key Points
- Popularity Surge: Pickleball's rise from obscurity to mainstream recognition reflects changing recreational trends, particularly among older adults seeking active lifestyles.
- Agassi's Influence: His participation may attract more attention and players to the sport, leveraging his fame from tennis.
- Future of Pickleball: As more high-profile athletes join, pickleball could solidify its status as a competitive sport, potentially leading to increased sponsorship and media coverage.
Implications
Agassi's debut could signal a trend where retired athletes transition into new sports, fostering cross-pollination of fan bases and increasing visibility for emerging sports like pickleball.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Agassi will team up with Anna Leigh Waters, the top-ranked player in pickleball, for the mixed doubles event at the US Open Pickleball Championships. The AP News notes that this will be Agassi's first professional appearance in pickleball, despite his previous involvement in exhibitions. The Independent echoes this sentiment, emphasizing Agassi's transition from tennis to pickleball and his ongoing role as a sports analyst. Each source highlights the growing popularity of pickleball, which has seen a significant increase in players in recent years.
How we got here
Pickleball, a sport combining elements of tennis and badminton, has surged in popularity, boasting over 13 million players in the U.S. Agassi, a retired tennis star, has been involved in the sport through exhibitions and endorsements, leading to his upcoming competitive debut.
Go deeper
- What is pickleball and why is it popular?
- How has Agassi prepared for this new sport?
- What impact could Agassi's debut have on pickleball?
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Andre Kirk Agassi is an American former world No. 1 tennis player. In singles, Agassi is an eight-time Grand Slam champion and a 1996 Olympic gold medalist, as well as a runner-up in seven other Grand Slam tournaments.
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