Latest news with #PickleballSlam
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Sugar Ray Leonard reveals the one sport he's ‘not that good' at — and it's surprising
When it comes to sports, Sugar Ray Leonard may have finally met his match. After professionally boxing in the ring from 1977 to 1997 and winning 36 out of 40 fights, the retired athlete revealed which sport is harder than it looks: Pickleball. 'It is competitive,' Leonard, 69, exclusively told The Post at the 2025 Emmys Pickleball Slam Fundraiser on May 18. It is extremely competitive. I just like to participate. I don't play that well, I'm not that good but you know what? I care. I really care.' Advertisement 9 Sugar Ray Leonard attends EMMY's Pickleball Slam to benefit Television Academy Foundation and Firefighters Fund at Calabasas Pickleball Club on May 18, 2025 in Calabasas, California. Getty Images When it comes to playing pickleball or any other sport, the professional boxer has one sound piece of advice: 'It's all about the heart. Do that.' Leonard — who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997 — revealed that one of his secret weapons when he competed was he 'drank a lot of coffee.' Advertisement In 2021, the Skechers spokesman reflected on his time in the ring, and the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal where he took home the gold medal in light welterweight boxing. 9 Sugar Ray Leonard on the red carpet. Getty Images 9 Sugar Ray Leonard and New York Post reporter Alexandra Bellusci. 'Words cannot describe the feeling that I had,' Leonard told People. Advertisement Traveling to Canada for the competition also marked his first time leaving home for an extended period of time. 'I was nervous as heck,' Leonard confessed. 'I was so proud of myself. I wanted to go home, but I wanted to stay to bring home the gold medal first. It was just an amazing point in my life. I was like 20 years old and when I look back, that's been like eons. 50 years ago.' 9 Sugar Ray Leonard in the ring. Focus on Sport via Getty Images 9 Sugar Ray Leonard taping his hands in Las Vegas. Bettmann Archive Advertisement It still holds as one of the author's proudest moments he's experienced. 'It's the most precious moment in my career, in my life,' gushed Leonard. 'I never forget that moment. Representing myself, representing my country. And it wasn't about fame and fortune.' That medal is now kept in a safety deposit box, but he has let those closest to him try it on. 'When some friends or just individuals come over sometimes I'll show it, let them take a picture of it around their neck, 'Here you go. You get one around your neck,'' Leonard explained. 9 Referee Richard Steele restrains Sugar Ray Leonard in the ninth round following his knockdown of Donny Lalonde. Bettmann Archive 9 Sugar Ray Leonard holds the middleweight championship belt above his head after defeating Marvin Hagler. AP The star wants those competing in the Olympic games to remember one thing: 'I tell them 100% to believe in themselves because if they don't, no one else will.' 'This is your opportunity, this is their chance for success, stardom, and accomplishment,' he elaborated. 'People can say I was a world boxing champion professionally, but when people say I'm an Olympic gold medalist, that speaks volumes. That is precious. There is no amount of money that can pay for that. You can't pay for it. You have to deserve that. You have to go for that.' Advertisement Throughout his successful career, Leonard also struggled with substance abuse. He opened up about getting sober while on 'Oprah: Where Are They Now' in 2016. 9 Sugar Ray Leonard and wife Bernadette with daughter Camille and son Daniel Ray. WireImage 'There's a part of me that is a good man, an honest man,' he shared during a sit-down. 'And there is Sugar Ray Leonard – who is ego driven. Who is a tough SOB in the ring. Who had money. Who had fame. And at some point, didn't really appreciate it and took advantage of that.' Leonard recalled his first wife, Juanita Wilkinson, whom he was married to from 1980 to 1990, saying, 'You are two different people.' Advertisement 'I would get angry about that and go and have a drink,' he said. 'But then when my present wife, Bernadette, said to me, 'There are two of you,' I knew there was a problem.' 9 Sugar Ray Leonard attends actor James Caan's Golf Tournament at El Caballero Country Club on April 25, 2011 in Tarzana, California. Getty Images He got more candid about his past infidelity, substance abuse and childhood molestation in his 2011 memoir, 'The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring.' 'Many many moments, many many nights or days I would wake up and not remember what the hell just happened at night,' Leonard said on Winfrey's OWN network. 'I always knew I had a problem, just never admitted it to myself. I never believed it. And that's deadly, that's wrong. One day I woke up — nine years ago I woke up — and life couldn't be better.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennis legend Andre Agassi to make pro pickleball debut in doubles match with Anna Leigh Waters
Tennis legend Andre Agassi is ready for his next challenge. Agassi — an eight-time Grand Slam winner in tennis — is now taking his talents to pro pickleball. Agassi will make his pro pickleball debut at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Fla. on April 30. He's teaming up with the biggest star in the sport, 18-year-old Anna Leigh Waters, as part of the doubles match. Want to know how to make pro pickleball more mainstream? THIS. MORE OF THIS.📍@AndreAgassi @AnnaLeighWaters @usopenpicklebal — The Kitchen Pickleball 👨🏻🍳 (@TheKitchenPB) April 22, 2025 Agassi is no stranger to pickleball. In 2023, he took part in the Pickleball Slam. The event — which also featured Michael Chang, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick — marked the first time pickleball was broadcast on ESPN. Since then, Agassi has apparently developed an affinity for the sport. In March, he released his own pro pickleball paddle with JOOLA. Waters is considered the best pickleball player in the world. She is currently ranked as the top singles, doubles and mixed player in the world. Waters has been a mainstay in the sport since 2019, when she was just 12 years old. Her aggressive play style is credited with changing the way pros play pickleball, and is the reason Waters wanted to team up with Agassi for the event. Agassi was considered an aggressive tennis player in his prime. The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships will begin Saturday and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Agassi and Waters are expected to take the court at noon ET.
Forbes
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Andre Agassi Makes His Pro Pickleball Debut
NAPLES, FLORIDA - APRIL 30: Andre Agassi hits a backhand drive shot against Tristan Dussault and ... More Stevie Petropouleas during the 2025 US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles round of 16 game at East Naples Community Park on April 30, 2025 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by) Tennis Hall of Famer Andre Agassi has been making serious inroads into the burgeoning world of pickleball, both personally and professionally, over the last several years. This past week, he took another big step in terms of pickleball involvement by entering a pro event for the first time. For those not familiar with Agassi's mostly behind the scenes involvement, we'll review what he's done so far then take an analytical look at the state of his debut on the court. He and wife Steffi Graf picked up the sport several years ago, and as retired tennis pros they had racquet skills that immediately translated. They also, frankly, just enjoyed the sport. Agassi said he was originally drawn to pickleball because of its social, inclusive nature. Inevitably people started to capitalize on that fun aspect of the sport, and Agassi was called upon to participate. Agassi first appeared the 2024 made-for-TV Pickleball Slam event held in Vegas against fellow retired tennis pros John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, and Michael Chang. In 2025 he got his fellow Hall of Famer wife involved in a set of mixed doubles actions with Roddick and another tennis-to-pickleball convert Genie Bouchard. Then Agassi got a bit more serious with his involvement. First, in January 2024 Agassi was part of an investment group that acquired a controlling interest in DUPR, the leading rating system used in the sport. A month later, he was named to be the Inaugural Chair of a Life Time Board that focused on growth of both Pickleball and Tennis. In August 2024, he partnered with the leading Pickleball paddle manufacturer Joola to produce Agassi-labeled paddles and accessories. In December Agassi traveled to Dubai to take part (on behalf of DUPR) in the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR) kickoff event. Lastly, in March of 2025, Agassi and Graf joined all of Joola's top sponsored pros in a tour of Asian cities promoting the sport. One would believe that a 55-year old retired millionaire athlete would be satisfied with behind the scenes contributions, helping to grow the sport from more of a corporate level. However, the competitive nature of Agassi led to his biggest foray into the sport yet: this week he made his professional pickleball debut at one of the largest events on the annual pickleball calendar: the US Open. His partner? None other than the current No. 1 ranked Anna Leigh Waters. Here's a recap of their debut match, which was broadcast live on CBS Sports Network on April 30th. 'When Anna Leigh Waters calls, you say yes,' said Agassi at a press conference prior to their match. Waters famously played with another pro tennis convert in his first pro event in Jack Sock, helping Sock to win his Pro Mixed Doubles debut 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 ask than playing with a mid-50s 5.0-level player (Agassi's DUPR is 5.43, though he has barely any registered results). Winning a title against a strong field of APP and challenger-level pros at the US Open would be a tall task. In their opening match, Agassi & Waters fared off against two Florida-based teenagers Stevie Petropouleas (age 13) & Tristan Dussault (age 16). If the youngsters had any nerves, they really didn't show. Waters & Agassi began the match playing a conventional mixed setup, with the male on the left, thus putting Agassi's forehand in the middle of the court. This is a common configuration for Waters with her regular pro Mixed partner Ben Johns, who dominates in the middle but allows for Waters' adept swinging backhand volley in the middle to attack and poach as needed. Dussault & Petropouleas opened the match with a simple strategy: hit everything to Andre. Agassi received nearly every service return and the bulk of the dinks & volleys at the net. He handled the pressure well, choosing for a 3rd-shot drive strategy versus attempting to dink for success, and when volleys came back to him he was very adept at resets from the middle of the court, hitting 5th shot dinks frequently and successfully. Agassi struggled a bit with shots at his feet and made some dinking errors, but otherwise played solidly. Halfway through the first game the pair switched sides, in reaction to the clear recognition that Agassi was getting isolated. Agassi showed great skill at the net in hands battles, and was able to handle the pace coming from Dussault. Agassi hit more than a few groundstroke and volley winners right through the middle between his opponents, drawing from decades of his tennis stroke doing the same. Andre didn't try to do too much with the serve, which is a major area where the pro game is differentiating itself from the 5.0/top amateur game. The pair ground out an 11-8 first game win. In game two, the teenagers settled down a bit, cut down on their unforced errors and got ahead early. The Waters/Agassi partnership ground out rallies but the teenagers persevered and tied the match. Midway through game three, Agassi was clearly winded from playing in the oppressive Florida humidity, but after an amazing rally at 7-7 in the third the teenagers capitulated and Waters/Agassi were able to win and move forward. The pair lost in the next round to Trang Huynh-McClain & Len Yang as Agassi couldn't handle the pressure in the end from the more advanced Yang (a 5.8 DUPR with a slew of PPA tour experience). My verdict: Agassi's game looks great for a 55yr old, and I think he'd have great success if he were inclined to play on the Champion's tour. The fact of the matter is, if you're a top-level tennis player (i.e. if you hold a UTR right now in the 10-12 range) you're almost automatically a 4.5 pickleball player the moment you pick up a paddle. Agassi's success in pro tennis and his love of the challenge has made him a darn good pickleball player, and I hope to see him competing again soon. Meanwhile, we await his next industry move as he becomes more involved with the sport. If you missed either Agassi match, you can watch the replay of their opening match from CBS Sports Net's archives or go to Pickleball Channel's YouTube feed at the 3hr 59min mark for their round of 16 match.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennis legend Andre Agassi to make pro pickleball debut in doubles match with Anna Leigh Waters
Tennis legend Andre Agassi is ready for his next challenge. Agassi — an eight-time Grand Slam winner in tennis — is now taking his talents to pro pickleball. Agassi will make his pro pickleball debut at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Fla. on April 30. He's teaming up with the biggest star in the sport, 18-year-old Anna Leigh Waters, as part of the doubles match. Agassi is no stranger to pickleball. In 2023, he took part in the Pickleball Slam. The event — which also featured Michael Chang, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick — marked the first pickleball was broadcast on ESPN. Advertisement Since then, Agassi has apparently developed an affinity for the sport. In March, he released his own pro pickleball paddle with JOOLA. Waters is considered the best pickleball player in the world. She is currently ranked as the top singles, doubles and mixed player in the world. Waters has been a mainstay in the sport since 2019, when she was just 12 years old. Her aggressive play style is credited with changing the way pros play pickleball, and is the reason Waters wanted to team up with Agassi for the event. Agassi was considered an aggressive tennis player in his prime. The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships will begin Saturday and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Agassi and Waters are expected to take the court at 12 p.m. ET.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pickleball Slam 3 results: Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi defeat Andy Roddick, Eugenie Bouchard
Pickleball Slam 3 returned with four tennis standouts displaying their talent on a pickleball court at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. Andre Agassi, Stefanie Graf, Andy Roddick, and Eugenie Bouchard were the featured competitors vying for a $1 million cash prize in the third iteration of the event. This match was filled to the brink with pickleball talent. Agassi entered the event as the back-to-back pickleball champion. Graf is a defending pickleball champion herself, while Roddick won the first pickleball slam event. However, this match also featured a friends-turned-rivals theme. With Agassi and Roddick squaring off against one another, the pair were forced to break the bonds they'd created two years ago when the duo worked together to earn a $1 million purse after beating John McEnroe and Michael Chang in a winner-take-all doubles match at the first Pickleball Slam. This time though, it wound up being the elder Agassi, with the help of his teammate Steffi Graf, who would walk away victorious. Here are the highlights. Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf got the best of Andy Roddick and Genie Bouchard during this back-and-forth of their doubles match. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Pickleball Slam (@thepickleballslam) Bouchard displayed her ability to be ambidextrous against Agassi and Graf to pick up a point for her and teammate Andy Roddick. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Pickleball Slam (@thepickleballslam) Roddick was not pleased with the officials' call during his match against Agassi. "It's a dumb rule," Roddick was heard yelling. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Pickleball Slam (@thepickleballslam) View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Pickleball Slam (@thepickleballslam) TEAM AGASSI TAKES HOME THE WIN! 🏆🏆🏆 — The Pickleball Slam (@pickleballslam) February 16, 2025 Agassi is a back-to-back pickleball champ for a reason (or make that three-time reigning champ after today). After Graf dropped the second matchup, the winner was determined by the outcome of Roddick and Agassi's singles match. Agassi took care of business, taking down Roddick without much of a sweat, needing only one volley to secure the final point of the match. Roddick might have wanted to earn the honor of back-to-back champ just as Agassi had secured last year, but alas, the 52-year-old Agassi remains atop the pickleball world for now. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pickleball Slam 3 results: Agassi, Graf emerge victorious
