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Tennis legend Andre Agassi is stepping into a new arena this time; the fast-growing world of pickleball. The 54-year-old will make his professional pickleball debut at the 2025 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, taking place at East Naples Community Park in Florida on April 30. Agassi is set to compete in the mixed doubles category alongside Anna Leigh Waters, an 18-year-old phenom, who currently holds the No. 1 ranking in all three major categories of the sport: singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Though Agassi has previously taken part in exhibition pickleball events, this will mark his first appearance in an official pro competition.
Pickleball has seen explosive growth in recent years, drawing attention not just from recreational players but from high-profile athletes and celebrities. NBA stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant have invested in professional pickleball teams, while tennis legends including John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova have also taken part in exhibition matches. Even Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes have expressed interest in the sport’s booming professional scene.
Brief of Agassi’s glorious career
Andre Agassi is no stranger to the spotlight. Over the course of a storied tennis career, he captured eight Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal in 1996, and a career Grand Slam; winning all four major tournaments. He was known for his charisma on and off the court, as well as his hard-hitting baseline play and incredible return of serve. Agassi retired in 2006, leaving behind a legacy as one of the game’s most influential figures.
Although Agassi has made it clear that he’s not planning a full-time switch to pickleball, citing limited time and energy, his involvement is already making waves. He previously teamed up with his wife, fellow tennis legend Steffi Graf, in a high-profile exhibition event called the Pickleball Slam, where the duo defeated John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova to win nearly a million euros in prize money. His appearance at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships underscores both his enduring athletic appeal and the rapidly rising status of this new sport on the professional scene.
