Tennis Legends Clash in Pickleball Slam 3: Steffi Graf, a 22-time Grand Slam tennis champion, is set to compete in Pickleball Slam 3 on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Las Vegas. Alongside her husband, Andre Agassi, Graf will face fellow tennis stars Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard. The event offers a $1 million prize pool and will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Graf Embraces the Challenge of Pickleball
Despite her dominance in tennis, Graf admitted she felt nervous playing pickleball in front of a large audience. She competed in the 2024 Pickleball Slam 2 alongside Agassi, where they defeated John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova.
“It’s such a fast game, things can happen so quick you don’t have the time to kind of ease into a match. You don’t know the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents and it was just so much unknown.” – (Graf)
Pickleball’s rapid gameplay and compact court make it different from tennis. Graf described the transition as a challenge that pushed her outside her comfort zone.
“For me, it was really a lot of unlearning and actually it was one of the things that I really enjoyed because it really challenged me.” – (Graf)
Pickleball’s Rising Popularity
Pickleball has grown significantly in recent years. According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), 48.3 million Americans played the sport at least once between 2022 and 2023. Its accessibility makes it appealing to players of all ages and skill levels.
“You can see progress so much quicker than in tennis. The fun factor just is immediately there, and the game equalizes each other out a little more, playing more doubles and mixed … you feel like everybody you know just can jump in.” – (Graf)
Celebrities and athletes have also embraced the sport. Tennis legends like Agassi, along with stars like Tom Brady and LeBron James, have invested in professional pickleball teams. Even Hollywood actors have joined in, as seen in a recent Super Bowl commercial featuring Catherine O’Hara and Willem Dafoe.
Agassi’s Strength in the Game
Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, has played in all three Pickleball Slam events. Graf acknowledged that her husband has a natural talent for the sport.
“He’s so good. And he’s played a little more, he’s physically so much stronger and quicker. His sense for this game, how quickly he picked it up, was absolutely phenomenal to watch.” – (graf)
Agassi has been a strong advocate for pickleball. While promoting the sport in India, he praised it for its accessibility and potential for growth.
“It’s going to grow like you can’t even imagine,” Agassi said, adding that he could “absolutely” see pickleball becoming an Olympic sport.
Pickleball and Tennis: Complementary Sports
With the rise of pickleball, some have debated whether it could threaten tennis. However, Graf believes both sports can coexist and benefit recreational players.
“The growth of the latter only creates more options,” she said. For Graf, events like the Pickleball Slam allow her to channel her competitive nature, even years after retiring from professional tennis.
“You can’t take the competitive out of us. It just tends to get that way.” – (graf)
With Pickleball Slam 3 approaching, Graf will once again step onto the court, embracing the challenge and excitement of the fast-paced game.
News in Brief: Tennis Legends Clash in Pickleball Slam 3
Steffi Graf will compete in Pickleball Slam 3 alongside Andre Agassi against Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard on March 2, 2025, in Las Vegas. The event, offering a $1 million prize, will air live on ESPN. Graf embraces pickleball’s challenge, while Agassi sees its potential for Olympic inclusion.
ALSO READ: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf to Face Off in Pickleball Slam 3