Andre Agassi Wins His Professional Pickleball Debut With Partner Anna Leigh Waters
NAPLES, Fla.—Andre Agassi won his professional pickleball debut a day after turning 55, teaming with 18-year-old Anna Leigh Waters to defeat a pair of even younger teens 11–8, 9–11, 11–7 in the mixed pro division at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships on Wednesday.
Agassi is an eight-time Grand Slam champion who retired from professional tennis in 2006. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame five years later.
He has participated in made-for-TV pickleball exhibitions with other former tennis players and can be seen pitching pickleball equipment via social media.
Agassi will be a studio analyst for TNT Sports during the semifinals and finals at the French Open this year. He won the title at Roland Garros in 1999 to complete a career Grand Slam.
Pickleball is a mix of tennis and ping pong that uses paddles and a wiffleball. It quickly rose from nearly nothing to more than 13 million players in the United States in just a few years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Was that Djokovic's goodbye to the French Open?
Djokovic has won three of his 24 Grand Slam titles at the French Open [Getty Images] French Open 2025 Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland Garros Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app Before Novak Djokovic left the court after his French Open semi-final defeat, he put his racquet bags down on the clay and said a heartfelt goodbye to the Paris crowd. He bent to touch the clay on Court Philippe Chatrier before holding his hand to his heart and waving to the crowd. Advertisement It felt like a final farewell for a player who turned 38 last month. Or will it prove to be 'au revoir' until they meet again next year? Three-time champion Djokovic, who lost a tight battle with world number one Jannik Sinner in straight sets, is unsure if he will return. "This could have been the last match ever I played here - I don't know. That's why it was a bit more emotional at the end," said Djokovic. "But if this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd." Advertisement Djokovic was given huge vocal support as he tried to move a step closer to a standalone record 25th major title. The Serb was also aiming for another record - victory in Sunday's final would have made him the oldest Grand Slam men's singles champion. But he could not break down the steely resistance of top seed Sinner, who won 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) to set up a final against second seed Carlos Alcaraz. Pressed about how his future could look, Djokovic said: "I don't know right now. Twelve months at this point in my career is quite a long time. "Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months' time here again? I don't know. Advertisement "That's all I can say for the moment." Wimbledon and US Open in plans - but rest 'not so sure' Novak Djokovic won his last Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2023 [Getty Images] A patchy season by Djokovic's lofty standards led to questions about his stamina and motivation coming into Roland Garros. The departure of rival-turned-coach Andy Murray also indicated things were not functioning as hoped, although he did warm up by winning his 100th ATP title at the Geneva Open. Djokovic's performance against Sinner showed he is not ready to roll over into retirement just yet - and emphasised why he prioritises the four majors in the latter stages of his career. Advertisement "Those tournaments are the priorities of my schedule," Djokovic said. "Wimbledon and US Open, yes, they are in plans. That's all I can say right now. "I feel like I want to play those two, for sure. For the rest, I'm not so sure." Djokovic will be bidding for a record-equalling eighth men's singles title at Wimbledon, having lost the past two finals there to Alcaraz. "Wimbledon is my childhood favourite tournament. I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready," he added. "I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon, you know, to win another Slam or maybe Australia." Djokovic still playing 'high-level' tennis The end is clearly in sight for Djokovic, who has played 1,375 matches since turning professional in 2004. Advertisement But his trademark fight and fitness helped him stay within touching distance of 23-year-old Sinner, who has dominated the ATP Tour over the past 18 months. "I was proud of my effort tonight in this tournament, considering I wasn't in great form coming into Roland Garros," he said. "Jannik was just too good for me." The pair went toe-to-toe in an absorbing contest lasting over three hours in which both men pushed each other to their limits. Afterwards Sinner, who has won his past 20 Grand Slam matches, described Djokovic's level as "amazing". "I had to step up and play the best tennis I could," the Italian added. Advertisement "It shows again what a role model for all of us, especially for young players. "What he is doing is incredible. We are so lucky to see him play high-level tennis."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Reigning French Open champion Alcaraz through to final after Musetti retires with injury
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz won the French Open semi-finals against Italy's Lorenzo Musetti four sets into the match after the latter retired with a leg injury, Roland-Garros Complex, Paris, June 6, 2025. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Friday secured his spot in the French Open final four sets into the match after his opponent, eight-seed Lorenzo Musetti, retired with a leg injury. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached back-to-back French Open finals after Italian eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti retired with injury while trailing 4-6 7-6(3) 6-0 2-0 on Friday. Advertisement 'It's never great to go through or win a match when it's like this,' said the 22-year-old, who has never lost a Grand Slam final. 'He's done an incredible clay season. I wish him all the best, a quick recovery and that he'll be back soon.' Alcaraz, who is attempting to become only the third man to retain his Roland Garros title this century after Rafa Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten, will face either world number one Jannik Sinner or 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final. Read moreDjokovic defeats Zverev at French open, inches closer to 25th Grand Slam title (FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters) Read more on FRANCE 24 English Read also: Sabalenka ousts Swiatek, Gauff ends Boisson's dream run in French Open semi-finals Djokovic defeats Zverev at French open, inches closer to 25th Grand Slam title
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Minnesota United FC missing several key pieces to international duty
Two former winners look ahead to Saturday's UEFA Champions League final Jose Mourinho once called it 'the biggest trophy in the world,' and the wait to crown a champions league winner is now just one day winners and pundits at TNT Sports, Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman, join World Sport's Amanda Davies in Munich to look ahead to the match between PSG and Inter Milan. 7:29 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
