Andre Agassi and Eugenie Bouchard Play Pickleball: Tennis legend Andre Agassi and Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard recently took center stage in a pickleball match at the Life Time New York event. The occasion showed Agassi’s rising interest in the sport.
With an illustrious career boasting eight Grand Slam titles and a Golden Slam—comprising victories at all four majors and an Olympic gold—Agassi’s engagement with pickleball has been notable. His participation in the Pickleball Slam over the past two years shows his commitment to the sport. This year’s event was further highlighted by the presence of his wife, 22-time Major champion Steffi Graf.
“I love the mental outlet and I like the physical outlet. And I like the fact that it’s so community-driven. No matter what level you are at, when you come into the game, you enjoy it and you get better. As much as so many people are playing, I still see it in the infancy and I think it’s only going to grow.” – (Agassi)
Bouchard’s Dual Commitment
Eugenie Bouchard, who joined the Professional Pickleball Association in September of last year, continues to balance her tennis career with her new pickleball endeavors. Her last significant tennis appearance was at the Canadian Open qualifiers, where she faced an early exit after losing to Moyuka Uchijima in a closely contested match.
Despite the setback, Bouchard’s involvement in pickleball remains strong. At the Life Time NYC event, she faced off against Agassi in a mixed doubles match, sharing a snapshot of their game on Instagram. Agassi reciprocated by posting the picture on his social media account.
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Diverse Opinions on Pickleball
While prominent figures such as Agassi, John McEnroe, Jack Sock, and Steffi Graf have embraced pickleball, the sport has faced criticism from some quarters.
Notable critics include Rennae Stubbs and Novak Djokovic, though Djokovic is set to participate in the Head NYC Mash Up—a pickleball event taking place before the 2024 US Open—alongside Jannik Sinner and Barbora Krejcikova.
News in Brief: Andre Agassi and Eugenie Bouchard Play Pickleball
Tennis icons Andre Agassi and Eugenie Bouchard recently showed their pickleball skills at the Life Time New York event. Agassi, a celebrated tennis legend with eight Grand Slam titles, has been actively participating in pickleball, while Bouchard balances her tennis career with involvement in the sport.
Despite some skepticism from figures like Rennae Stubbs and Novak Djokovic, pickleball continues to gain traction, with Djokovic slated to compete in the upcoming Head NYC Mash Up before the 2024 US Open.
ALSO READ: Andre Agassi Champions Pickleball’s Rise: A Star-Studded Exhibition in New York City
