Andy Roddick’s Controversial Moment: Andy Roddick faced off against Andre Agassi in the Pickleball Slam 3, with Agassi taking the win. The event, held at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, featured three matches. Roddick expressed frustration over a rule that affected his play, showcasing the competitive spirit of these tennis legends in a new sport.
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Pickleball Slam 3 Overview
The Pickleball Slam 3 brought together tennis stars Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, who had previously partnered in the first edition. Roddick joked that Agassi “kicked out” him to team up with his wife. Agassi won their first match 2-0.
In the second match, Steffi Graf and Mardy Fish represented Team Agassi, while Eugenie Bouchard and John Iser played for Team Roddick. Team Agassi won this match as well, 2-0.
Roddick and Bouchard teamed up in the third match but faced Agassi and Graf again. Despite their efforts, Team Agassi won the tiebreaker and claimed the $1 million prize.
Controversial Moment on the Court
During the first match, Roddick returned a shot from Agassi while standing in the non-volley zone, often called the kitchen. This mistake led to a volley violation, which frustrated Roddick.
“No no buddy, it’s a dumb rule.” – (Roddick)
The Pickleball Slam’s official Instagram page poked fun at Roddick’s reaction, stating, “IT’S A DUMB RULE – @servedpodcast not 1️⃣ but 2️⃣ feet in the kitchen .”
Pre-Match Jokes and Rivalry
Roddick humorously expressed his feelings about being dumped as Agassi’s partner after winning the second Slam.
“This day was always coming, as soon as Andre dumped me from the winning team. Like, who wins and then gets dumped? I guess me, even worse when it’s by your idol. So, I’m coming for him! There’s no escape now! Andre’s stamina obviously isn’t what it once was. I think he legally collects social security now.” – (Roddick)
Despite the rivalry, Roddick showed respect for Agassi, admiring his talent and spirit. Roddick reflected on his worries during the competition, noting,
“I worry the most about myself on the court. Like, I’ve literally played with a pro. We have to win; otherwise…it’s on me. It’s very squarely on my shoulders. Genie, I hope I live up to the very tiny expectations you have for my pickleball ability.” – (Roddick)
Though he fought hard, Roddick could not stop Agassi from winning his third Pickleball Slam. The event highlighted the rising popularity of pickleball among former tennis stars, as they engage in friendly competition and entertain fans. As interest in the sport grows, more events featuring tennis legends are likely to follow.
News in Brief: Andy Roddick’s Controversial Moment
Andy Roddick faced Andre Agassi in the Pickleball Slam 3, held in Las Vegas. Agassi won the first two matches, and Team Roddick won the third but lost in the tiebreaker. The event showcased the excitement and competitive spirit of these tennis icons in pickleball.
ALSO READ: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf Secure Title at Pickleball Slam 3, Win 1Mn Dollars Prize