Tennis Legends to Play Pickleball: Some of the biggest names in tennis, including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Andre Agassi, are set to try their hand at pickleball in New York ahead of the US Open 2024. This event marks a unique moment where tennis royalty explores the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, captivating fans worldwide.
Iconic Players Join the Action
Not only men’s stars but also women’s tennis icons like Elena Rybakina will participate in pickleball games in New York. Novak Djokovic is scheduled to face Jannik Sinner at The Head NYC Mash-Up on Friday. Barbora Krejcikova will also compete, bringing even more excitement to the event.
Carlos Alcaraz, fresh from his Wimbledon 2024 victory, attended a pickleball event with Rybakina, creating viral moments on social media. Meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios, who is sidelined from the US Open, is expected to step onto the pickleball court instead.
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Djokovic’s Concerns About Pickleball
In the past, Novak Djokovic expressed concerns about pickleball’s growth affecting tennis.
“Now we have the padel or pickleball, as you call it in the States, that is growing and emerging. Tennis is the king or queen of all the racquet sports, that’s true. But on a club level, tennis is endangered. If we don’t do something about it, as I said, globally or collectively, padel, pickleball in States, they’re going to convert all the tennis clubs into padel and pickleball because it’s just more economical.” – (Novak Djokovic)
Despite his earlier comments, Djokovic will join the event and face Sinner in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
A Blend of Legends and Rising Stars
Other legends, such as John McEnroe, Maria Sharapova, Steffi Graf, and Andre Agassi, have also recently embraced pickleball. With stars like Nadal and Sinner joining the trend, the event shows how pickleball is capturing the interest of veterans and younger talents in tennis.
Growing Popularity of Pickleball
The inclusion of elite tennis players highlights pickleball’s rising global appeal. This event in New York shows the sport’s potential to bridge different racquet games and attract fans from all generations. With such events, pickleball is likely to expand its reach even further.
News in Brief: Tennis Legends to Play Pickleball
Tennis players Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Elena Rybakina will play pickleball in New York before the 2024 US Open, showing the sport’s growing appeal. Despite Djokovic’s past concerns about pickleball’s impact on tennis, the event highlights its ability to captivate fans and unite tennis legends and rising stars.
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