Andre Agassi recently revealed that pickleball has become a life-changing hobby for him and his wife, Steffi Graf. Both renowned tennis champions, the couple has embraced pickleball, which is currently the fastest-growing sport in the United States, for its physical and social benefits. Agassi, a former World No. 1 and eight-time Grand Slam winner, shared these insights during his appearance on the Pickleballers Podcast produced by The Kitchen Pickleball.
Addressing the sport’s impact on his physical health, Agassi said,
“Oh a hundred percent it’s changed my life. It’s changed my life physically. It’s given me an outlet to do something that I can still improve at. It’s given me something that I can exert myself one hundred percent and feel it in all the right places the next day versus a rotation of tennis where I feel it in places that I know is not ideal.”
Beyond physical improvements, Agassi credited pickleball with enhancing his social life alongside Steffi Graf. Despite being in their mid-50s, the sport helped them build new friendships, enriching their lives considerably. He explained,
“Here’s a good one, Steffi and I have made friends. We’re in our mid-50s and it’s like you’re supposed to have less friends you know as you get older and pickleball has given us a chance and a reason and excuse to make more friends and it translates into real life overlaps and connections. The truth is, I don’t do anything that isn’t really authentic to me and this sport has added so much to our lives, I mean, it’s hard not to love it.”
Agassi and Graf’s Involvement in the Pickleball Slam Events
Andre Agassi has been a consistent presence in all three editions of the Pickleball Slam, an exhibition event that brings together top athletes from tennis and pickleball. In the inaugural tournament, Agassi and his partner Andy Roddick clinched the title. When Steffi Graf joined for the second edition, the two teamed up to secure victory as a celebrity tennis power couple.
Their winning streak continued at Pickleball Slam 3 last year, where the couple once again emerged as champions. Looking ahead, the fourth edition of the Pickleball Slam is scheduled for mid-April in Hollywood, Florida, where Agassi is confirmed to participate.
The event also features prominent athletes such as Eugenie Bouchard, a former tennis player turned professional pickleball competitor, Anna Leigh Waters, considered one of the sport’s most dominant players, and former ATP star James Blake.
Pickleball’s Growing Popularity Among Tennis Players and Celebrities
Pickleball’s surge in popularity has attracted many former tennis professionals and celebrities who find the sport welcoming and rewarding. For Agassi and Graf, pickleball offers a dynamic outlet to stay active, improve skills, and nurture authentic social bonds. This transition highlights how the sport is carving out a space for athletes looking for new challenges post-tennis careers, while also forging a strong community aspect even for players in their 50s and beyond.
By embracing pickleball, Agassi and Graf demonstrate the sport’s ability to serve as a meaningful pastime that combines physical fitness with social engagement, benefiting participants on multiple levels.
