What’s a sport without a little love, right? Years after hanging up their rackets, the legendary tennis couple Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf know how to keep the spark alive! How? They play tennis’ less intense but equally competitive cousin—pickleball! Introduced to Agassi by former pro Andy Roddick, this low-intensity sport has become a favorite pastime for him. And while his top competitor has a couple of reasons to play, Agassi has rather a sweet one!
So, what is pickleball? It’s the ultimate mashup of tennis, badminton, and table tennis! Played on a court significantly smaller than a tennis court, it’s perfect for friendly competition. With paddles in hand and a bouncy plastic ball, former players like Agassi, Roddick, and Graf are hooked! They’ve participated in several Pickleball Slams and fundraisers since last year, keeping the competition lively with some healthy rivalry.
The next Pickleball Slam is set for February 16th at the Michelob Ultra Arena. This time, the highlight is Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick’s rivalry. Agassi chose to play with Steffi instead of Roddick, creating a narrative of “revenge” for Roddick. But Agassi is unfazed. He recently said on The Pickleball Slam IG with Steffi, “Andy has a million reasons to play; I’ve just got one and she’s sitting right next to me.” The couple who have stolen the hearts of tennis fans and have been married for over 20 years are truly adorable!
Steffi responded with an appreciative, “Awww thank you, and I got the best.” Graf is totally loving the pickleball scene! She and her husband, Andre Agassi, have been all in on the sport for the past couple of years. Earlier Andre has even spoken up about how much it impacts his life, saying, “I’ve been playing quite a lot. It’s been a great outlet for me and my wife, a fantastic exercise.”
Now with this power couple ready to take on the next Slam, who’s playing alongside Andy now? Well, he’ll team up with Eugenie Bouchard for the upcoming tournament. It’ll be interesting to see which duo comes out on top. But Roddick isn’t too pleased about this switch in partners.
Andy Roddick reflects on missing Andre Agassi as a Pickleball partner
Former tennis stars Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick made quite the splash at the first Pickleball Slam in 2023, where they triumphed over John McEnroe and Michael Chang with a thrilling score of 21-15, 21-23, and 12-10. However, things took a fun turn when Agassi decided to partner with his wife, the legendary Steffi Graf, for the upcoming third edition. You can almost feel Roddick’s playful annoyance as he processes being sidelined for this dynamic duo!
In a lighthearted clip shared on the official Pickleball Instagram account on January 28, Roddick addressed Agassi’s decision with his usual wit. He remarked, “Does it bother me that Andre chose Steffi over me for the Slam? Like no. It’s just live on ESPN and there’s a bunch of people watching.” He went on to say that while his kids were proud of him when he played with Agassi, he insisted, “But no. It’s fine. I’m fine.” Just before wrapping up, he jokingly told the interviewer to “Just go,” showing that while he’s teasing, there’s a hint of genuine frustration underneath.
This friendly rivalry is nothing new; Roddick has been playfully poking fun at Agassi for a while now. After Agassi confirmed his partnership with Graf, Roddick quipped in another Instagram video, “I guess that what happens when you have a wife who is the best of all time as an option.” With this banter heating up and the stakes rising, it’s exciting to see what unfolds at Pickleball Slam 3. Which team are you rooting for?
The post Andre Agassi Swoons Over Wife Steffi Graf in a Wholesome Moment as He Reveals the Reason Behind Playing Pickleball appeared first on EssentiallySports.