Tennis legend Andre Agassi, 52, cannot wait to incorporate pickleball into his workout routine. John McEnroe, 64, might feel otherwise after a weekend of pickleball events.
Along with Andy Roddick, 40, and Michael Chang, 51, the former tennis legends shined in a new sport during the first Pickleball Slam broadcast by ESPN on Sunday.
Agassi and Roddick earned a $1 million purse after beating McEnroe and Chang in a winner-take-all doubles match 21-15, 21-23, 12-10. Earlier McEnroe beat Agassi 15-13, 16-14, while Roddick cruised by Chang 15-10, 15-10 during singles matches at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
“I think it was a shot in the arm for us as old fogies that were on the tennis court, getting a chance to come with some crowd and energy that doesn’t happen too much anymore,” McEnroe told USA TODAY Sports.
McEnroe was the star of the show, engaging with the fans in attendance after a big point while throwing his paddle on the court several times and raising his arms up in disgust and dismay. He was on the unfortunate end of the last two points, allowing Agassi and Roddick to win.
McEnroe was the show’s star, engaging with the fans in attendance after a big point while throwing his paddle on the court several times and raising his arms in disgust and dismay. He was on the unfortunate end of the last two points, allowing Agassi and Roddick to win.
“I got so into it,” Agassi told USA TODAY Sports.
“You’re doing something you have no familiarity with, so it just begs for total focus, and you focus too much and you lose perspective. So, it just got the energy going. It got the nerves going. It came together and it was fun. It was a blast for everybody.”
Graf, a tennis legend in her own right with 22 Grand Slam singles titles, received a loud ovation from fans as ESPN was interviewing her.
The ovation motivated McEnroe to interrupt the interview and give her a paddle to play a point during the doubles match.
“That was a big surprise. I wasn’t filled into that part,” Graf said.
“It’s just fun. We’ve been enjoying it as a family and to see that sport grow and find a lot of new fans, it’s just been good.”
Graf traded volleys with both Agassi, her husband, and Roddick as Chang stepped to the side while McEnroe went to the nearby bench to rest.
Agassi hit the net on the volley, earning Graf the point and another ovation.
“Steffi is a legend,” McEnroe said. “It just seemed like a good idea so I could stretch a little while she was playing. It’s called a free timeout.”
The final set in the doubles match was a race to 11, and it brought the intensity out of all four legends.
McEnroe and Chang led until Agassi hit a wicked volley that screamed past McEnroe to tie the set at 9.
Agassi and Roddick took a 10-9 lead before McEnroe waved off Chang on the next point to tie it at 10.
McEnroe hit the net on his return to go down 11-10 and hit the pickleball out to give Agassi and Roddick the match and purse.
“Game!” Roddick screamed as he celebrated with Agassi.
“These guys have played in a whole lot of major finals, and you saw some nerves come onto them because this sport is not second nature to them,” Fowler said.
