Novak Djokovic and Tennis Elite Plays Pickleball: In the wake of his controversial remarks at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic’s entry into pickleball drew significant attention. The 24-time Grand Slam champion had previously remarked that “tennis is endangered“ by the growing popularity of pickleball and padel, a statement that stirred considerable debate within the tennis community.
The HEAD NYC Mash Up Event
On Thursday evening, Djokovic was a central figure at The HEAD NYC Mash Up event in New York City. He was joined by fellow US Open participants Jannik Sinner and Barbora Krejcikova, along with seasoned pickleball player Callie Smith. Djokovic and Krejcikova teamed up for a match, while Sinner partnered with Smith, offering a unique crossover between tennis and pickleball.
John McEnroe Joins the Fun
Tennis Hall of Famer John McEnroe, who served as the event’s MC, took to the court at Djokovic’s urging. Initially overseeing the festivities, McEnroe eventually replaced Djokovic on the indoor court, adding a layer of excitement to the evening.
Sinner’s Appreciation
For Sinner, the event was an eye-opener. “It’s a different sport definitely than tennis,” he said. “It was the first time for me. It was also a nice feeling to share the court with our tennis players. It’s good to play doubles, two against two. It’s nice to also communicate. It’s a good sport. His genuine appreciation for pickleball was evident, as he embraced the chance to experience America’s fastest-growing sport.
Creative Paddle Decorating
Before diving into the matches, the players engaged in a playful paddle-decorating contest. They spent several minutes adding stickers to their paddles, competing to see whose design would stand out. As expected, Callie Smith’s creative flair earned her the title of design champion for the evening.
News in Brief: Novak Djokovic and Tennis Elite Plays Pickleball
Novak Djokovic’s recent comments about pickleball’s impact on tennis drew attention as he participated in The HEAD NYC Mash Up event. Joining him were fellow US Open players Jannik Sinner and Barbora Krejcikova, along with pickleball veteran Callie Smith. Tennis legend John McEnroe also took part after initially serving as the event MC. Sinner expressed his appreciation for pickleball, highlighting its differences from tennis and the enjoyment of playing doubles. The event included a fun paddle-decorating competition, with Smith’s design emerging as the winner.
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