Tennis Legend’s Bold Prediction for Pickleball: Pickleball has firmly established itself as a global sensation, captivating audiences worldwide with its unique blend of accessibility and excitement. Once a trend in the United States, the sport has risen in popularity, becoming one of the fastest-growing activities internationally.
Andre Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam tennis champion, has emerged as a passionate advocate for pickleball. Having transitioned from tennis to pickleball, Agassi and his wife and fellow tennis legend Steffi Graf have actively promoted the sport globally. Their efforts include endorsing initiatives like the upcoming PWR DUPR Indian Tour and League, which Agassi is set to launch next month in Mumbai.
A Bold Prediction for Asia
At the UBS Australasia conference earlier this month, Agassi praised pickleball’s rising presence in Asia. “In the next five years, you’re gonna see, it is crazy,” he remarked, as quoted by Bloomberg. His comments underline the sport’s potential for exponential growth in a region ripe with opportunities for new sporting ventures.
Teamwork Over Rivalry
When asked about competing against Graf on the pickleball court, Agassi humorously deflected, emphasizing their partnership.
“If you want to stay married, you don’t play against your wife. We fight for each other. We play on the same side.” – (Agassi)
The playful remark shows their joint commitment to advancing pickleball’s reach.
India Joins the Movement
The upcoming PWR DUPR Indian Tour and League represents a pivotal step in introducing pickleball to Indian audiences. Backed by Pickleball League Asia Private Limited in collaboration with The Times Group, the initiative follows the launch of the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR) in Dubai on July 24. This new framework aims to further professionalize and popularize the sport across the region.
News in Brief: Tennis Legend’s Bold Prediction for Pickleball
Andre Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, has turned his attention to promoting pickleball, particularly in Asia. Speaking at the UBS Australasia conference, Agassi predicted significant growth for the sport in the region over the next five years.
He is set to launch the PWR DUPR Indian Tour and League in Mumbai, highlighting his commitment to expanding pickleball’s global reach. The league comes on the heels of the Pickleball World Rankings’ unveiling in Dubai, signaling the sport’s increasing professionalization and appeal.
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