Tennis Legend Andre Agassi Makes Pro Pickleball Debut Partnering with Anna Leigh Waters at U.S. Open
What's the Score?
Tennis icon and former world No. 1, Andre Agassi, is making his official professional pickleball debut at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships. He will be competing in mixed doubles, partnering with the sport's top-ranked female player, Anna Leigh Waters.
Hit it deeper!
The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, taking place in Naples, Florida, is set to feature a major attraction: the professional debut of tennis legend Andre Agassi. Agassi, a winner of multiple Grand Slam titles during his illustrious tennis career, is stepping onto the pro pickleball court in a highly anticipated mixed doubles partnership with one of the sport's current superstars, Anna Leigh Waters.
Their first match is scheduled for April 30 at noon ET in Naples, Florida, and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network, ensuring significant visibility for Agassi's entry into the professional pickleball scene.
The partnership came about when the 18-year-old Waters, who is one of pickleball's top earners, invited Agassi to team up for the tournament. Waters, who won the mixed doubles title at last year's U.S. Open with JW Johnson, was looking for a strong partner. She reportedly studied Agassi's pickleball play on YouTube and felt that their shared aggressive playing style would be effective. Waters also indicated that teaming up with Agassi is part of a broader effort to help grow the sport of pickleball, a goal they both share.
Agassi has already become a vocal ambassador for pickleball, expressing his fondness for the sport's friendly and welcoming community. He has worked with pickleball gear brand Joola to promote the sport internationally and serves as chair of Life Time's pickleball and tennis board. While this marks his debut as a professional player in a major tournament, Agassi clarified that he does not intend to join Major League Pickleball (MLP) or the PPA Tour full-time. He cited other commitments and being in a different season of his life as reasons he doesn't have the bandwidth to dedicate himself fully to playing and recovery at the professional level.
The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships is a significant event, attracting over 3,400 competitors from around the world. Agassi and Waters will be among the most-watched teams as the tennis icon navigates the professional pickleball landscape alongside the highly accomplished Waters.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Andre Agassi's professional pickleball debut, particularly partnering with Anna Leigh Waters at a prestigious event like the U.S. Open, is a monumental moment for the sport's public profile. Agassi's global recognition as a tennis legend brings an unprecedented level of media attention and potentially millions of new eyes to pickleball. While he may not be committing to a full-time professional career, his willingness to compete in a major tournament validates the sport and highlights its appeal to athletes from diverse backgrounds. His partnership with Waters, a dominant force in the current pickleball scene, creates a compelling storyline that blends established greatness from one sport with rising stardom in another. This high-profile appearance is likely to significantly boost pickleball's visibility, attract new players, and further solidify its status as the fastest-growing sport in the U.S..