Agassi crashes out, Johns in 3D, huge Ryan Reynolds news
What's the Score?
The pickleball world in the USA is buzzing with a mix of celebrity involvement, technological innovation, league developments, and major tournament action. Tennis legend Andre Agassi made a brief but notable professional pickleball debut at the US Open, while top player Ben Johns is launching a specialized 3D-printed orthotic. Major League Pickleball (MLP) is rolling out significant rule changes and preparing for a major event in Austin that will include amateur play. Adding a unique Hollywood twist, actor Ryan Reynolds is transforming movie soundstages into themed pickleball courts. These developments highlight the sport's rapid growth and expanding reach across different sectors in the country.
Hit it deeper!
Tennis icon Andre Agassi made his professional pickleball debut on April 30 at the US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida. Partnering with world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters, their run was short-lived, ending after just two matches. Agassi and Waters started strong in their first match, defeating teenage challengers Tristan Dussault and Stevie Petropoulos in a three-set battle (11-8, 9-11, 11-7). However, later that evening, they were defeated in their second match by Len Yang and Trang Huynh-McClain, also in three sets (7-11, 11-4, 11-7). For Huynh-McClain, playing against Agassi was a memorable moment, calling it "phenomenal" to face her childhood idol. Agassi showed flashes of brilliance, winning the first set against Yang/McClain with a winner, and hitting a strong shot to help pull within 8-7 in the third set. However, he also struggled at times, hitting shots long and having difficulty with his serve in the final set. His quick exit, after winning the first match but losing the second, demonstrated the challenge of competing at the top level in pickleball.
Meanwhile, innovation is hitting the court from the ground up. Foot Solutions, a U.S.-based footwear and orthotics retailer, has partnered with the world's top pickleball player, Ben Johns, to launch a 3D printed custom orthotic designed specifically for pickleball players. Available starting May 5, 2025, at all U.S. Foot Solutions locations and select Canadian stores, these orthotics are the result of several months of testing and revisions with Johns. Customers seeking the orthotics will undergo an in-person foot and gait check, receive a digital scan of their feet, and get a design tailored to their body. Johns, who has used Foot Solutions orthotics for years and is also a material science engineer, had input on custom materials and features. The orthotics are designed to improve performance, specifically balance and movement, and help alleviate pain, fatigue, and injuries associated with pickleball. Foot Solutions CEO John Prothro highlighted Johns' precision and expertise as making him the ideal partner. This product aims to meet the growing demand for gear that protects players' bodies and enhances play.
Major League Pickleball (MLP) is also evolving, announcing several rule changes that were implemented at MLP Columbus. These updates cover serves, on-site player alternates, and team benches. Significantly, MLP's serve rules will now align with PPA serve rules, requiring the ball release to be no higher than the top of the hip bone, with upward travel limited to one ball height, and mandating a clearly low-to-high paddle swing. Previously, new rules at MLP Orlando allowed harder serves but faced inconsistency in enforcement. A key change for team structure involves on-site player alternates. Premier level teams not travelling their full six-player roster and needing to use an on-site alternate will now be penalised a point at the start of each doubles game the alternate plays in (starting down 0-1). This rule change followed an instance at MLP Orlando where the LA Mad Drops used an alternate not on their travel roster. The final rule change dictates that teams will now stay at the same bench for the entire match, rather than switching between games. These rule adjustments aim to refine gameplay and potentially prevent sideline issues.
Looking ahead for MLP, the league's third stop of the 2025 season is set for Austin, Texas, from May 23-26. Austin holds historical significance as the location of the first-ever MLP event. This upcoming MLP Austin Classic is anticipated to be one of MLP's largest events yet. It will feature all six Challenger Level teams making their season debuts, including the new Nashville Chefs, alongside five Premier Level teams. MLP is also expanding its reach by adding amateur brackets to events, including the Austin Classic, allowing amateur singles and doubles play using PPA formats. The amateur event has seen rapid sign-ups, showing high demand. This inclusion of amateur competition highlights pickleball's increasing accessibility for all skill levels.
Perhaps one of the most unique developments comes from Hollywood, where actor Ryan Reynolds has partnered with Warner Bros. to launch "Maximum Effort Pickleball". This project will repurpose unused studio stages into uniquely themed pickleball courts inspired by movie genres. The initiative aims to generate revenue during production lulls by renting courts hourly and offering exclusive VIP experiences to celebrities and fans. Plans include fan meetups, corporate leagues, and celebrity tournaments. Reynolds himself quipped, "When life gives you a production slowdown, you build a pickleball empire". This venture leverages pickleball's rapid growth in the U.S., which has seen a 311% increase in players over the past three years, and its significant popularity among Hollywood stars. Many celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen DeGeneres, Kim Kardashian, and Selena Gomez, play the sport, and others like Eva Longoria, Heidi Klum, Kevin Durant, and Michael Phelps have invested in MLP teams. By blending sports, entertainment, and business, "Maximum Effort Pickleball" seeks to become a significant new trend in Los Angeles.
The World Pickleball Verdict
These varied announcements from the USA demonstrate a sport experiencing explosive growth and finding new avenues for expansion. Agassi's debut, while brief, brought significant attention and underscored the competitive depth of professional pickleball, showing that even legendary athletes face a steep challenge at the top tier. Ben Johns' orthotics launch signifies the sport's maturation to the point where specialized, high-tech gear is being developed to enhance player performance and health, indicating a professionalizing market. Terrence Ross's story highlights how easily pickleball can capture the attention of former professional athletes seeking a new competitive outlet, further boosting its profile. The MLP rule changes reflect a league actively refining its structure and gameplay as it matures, while the inclusion of amateur brackets in events like MLP Austin signals a commitment to engaging the broader player base and using professional platforms to fuel grassroots interest. Finally, Ryan Reynolds' venture is a bold and creative example of how pickleball's popularity is transcending traditional sports venues, attracting entrepreneurial celebrities and finding innovative ways to monetise its growing appeal by merging it with the entertainment industry. Collectively, these events paint a picture of a sport that is rapidly innovating, professionalising, attracting diverse talent, and creatively expanding its footprint across American culture.