Agassi Takes On Pickleball: An Examination and Account of His Initial Competition
Andre Agassi, the legendary tennis icon, has dived headfirst into the thriving world of pickleball, mixing personal passion and professional ambitions over the last few years. This past week marked a significant milestone in his pickleball journey – his debut in a pro event. Let's take a closer look at his journey so far and analyze his maiden venture on the court.
Agassi and his wife Steffi Graf discovered pickleball several years back, leveraging their racquet skills to adapt quickly to the sport. Beyond the sport's appeal, they simply enjoyed the camaraderie it offered. Agassi speaks of the social, inclusive aspect of pickleball that initially drew him in, setting the stage for his growing involvement.
As more people started treating pickleball not just as a fun activity but a competitive sport, Agassi was called upon to participate. He first stepped onto the pickleball court at the 2024 Pickleball Slam event, a made-for-TV spectacle held in Vegas alongside fellow tennis greats like John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, and Michael Chang. The following year, he teamed up with his fellow Hall of Famer wife Steffi Graf for a set of mixed doubles games, joining forces with Roddick and ex-tennis player Genie Bouchard for a thrilling showdown.
Agassi then decided to take his involvement to the next level.
In early 2024, he became part of an investment group that acquired a controlling interest in DUPR, the top-tier rating system in pickleball. Later that month, he was named the Inaugural Chair of a Lifetime Board, focusing on the growth of both Pickleball and Tennis. In August 2024, he partnered with leading pickleball paddle manufacturer Joola to launch Agassi-branded paddles and accessories. In December, he traveled to Dubai to participate (on behalf of DUPR) in the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR) kickoff event. Lastly, in March of 2025, Agassi and Graf joined Joola’s top sponsored pros for a tour of Asian cities, promoting the sport.
One might think a 55-year old retired millionaire athlete would be content with behind-the-scenes contributions. But the competitive spirit within Agassi propelled him into his biggest pickleball venture yet: his professional debut at one of the year's largest pickleball events – the US Open. His partner? None other than the current No. 1 ranked Anna Leigh Waters. Here's a recap of their debut match, aired live on CBS Sports Network on April 30th.
During a press conference before their match, Agassi shared, "When Anna Leigh Waters calls, you say yes." Waters holds the distinction of having played with another pro tennis convert in his first pro event, Jack Sock, helping Sock win the Pro Mixed Doubles title at the 2023 North Carolina Open (to date, Sock's only gold medal on tour). However, playing with a recently retired tennis player in his early 30s was a different challenge than playing with a mid-50s 5.0-level player (Agassi's DUPR is 5.43, with hardly any registered results). Winning a title against a strong field of APP and challenger-level pros at the US Open was a tall task.
Stay tuned for more updates on Andre Agassi's future pickleball endeavors as the former tennis great continues to carve out a space for himself in the sport's fast-growing landscape. If you missed Agassi's debut match, you can catch the replay on CBS Sports Net's archives or head over to Pickleball Channel's YouTube feed at the 3hr 59min mark for their round of 16 match.
- Andre Agassi, the retired tennis legend, is distinguishing sports by stepping onto the pickleball court as a professional player, having already made a mark in the field through investments and partnerships.
- In a significant milestone, Agassi partnered with current No. 1 ranked Anna Leigh Waters for his professional debut at the US Open Pickleball, a highly anticipated event in the pickleball community.
- Agassi expressed his enthusiasm for teaming up with Waters by stating, "When Anna Leigh Waters calls, you say yes." This collaboration aims to test Agassi's skills against strong competition in the professional pickleball ranks.
- As Agassi continues to excel in various pickleball ventures and competitions, spectators can expect him to contribute to the growing popularity of pickleball and push its boundaries alongside other pros like Anna Leigh Waters.
