Tune in for Pickleball Slam 2 on ESPN !
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Perhaps John McEnroe , one of tennis ’ all-time greats , is getting serious about the sport of pickleball . After teaming up with Michael Chang in the inaugural Pickleball Slam last April , Johnny Mac is hitting the court once again , this time with partner Maria Sharapova . Across the net will be his good friend Andre Agassi . Partnering with Andy Roddick in the first Slam event , Agassi won the highly anticipated men ’ s doubles match . This time , he ’ s playing with someone he ’ s quite familiar with , his wife Stefanie Graf .
“ When I watched the inaugural Pickleball Slam and stepped onto the court , I was hooked . Andre and I can ’ t wait to get back out on the court together to face off against Maria and John ,” said Graf , winner of 22 Grand Slam singles titles .
“ After Andy and I took home the hardware at the first Pickleball Slam , I said I would be playing pickleball as long as I can walk . That ’ s how much I enjoy this game . Naturally , I am so excited to share this experience with one of the best tennis players , my wife ,” said Agassi .
Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood , Florida , will play host to Pickleball Slam 2 on Feb . 4 . “ It ’ s great to have both John and Andre return for Slam 2 , and in pairing them up with Stefanie and Maria , two of the greatest and most competitive players in the history of tennis , there ’ s sure to be no shortage of incredible action and entertaining moments on the court ,” said David Levy , CEO of Horizon Sports & Experiences , producers of the event .
World Pickleball Cup
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It may not be the Olympic Games quite yet , but the sport of pickleball is certainly extending its reach around the globe in a big way .
The inaugural World Pickleball Cup , featuring 14 countries , was played on Nov . 12 at the Velodrome Stadium in Lima , Peru .
Among the countries participating were Bolivia , Colombia , Venezuela , Peru , USA , Canada , Puerto Rico , Dominican Republic , Costa Rica , Guatemala , Panama , Argentina , Chile and Ecuador .
“ We were extremely happy with the turnout for this first international event and firmly believe that we can expand upon this tournament and attract even more countries for our event in 2024 ,” said Hercilio Cabieses , president of Pickleball Peru and director of the World Pickleball Cup . “ I believe that the great sport of pickleball is being played all over the globe and with this event , it is going to be an important first step in order for the game to become part of the Olympic Games .”
Every country in the World Pickleball Cup had a delegation consisting of a minimum of four
McEnroe ’ s new pickleball partner , Maria Sharapova , is one of only 10 women ever to achieve a career Grand Slam , winning all four major championships in women ’ s singles . Winner of 36 titles , including five majors , Sharapova won Wimbledon at 17 years old and became the world ’ s No . 1 player one year later , in 2005 . “ I ’ m playing pickleball and not just any pickleball . I am playing with John McEnroe against Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi . Dare I say I ’ m getting a little competitive , and slightly nervous and anxious ,” said Sharapova .
Pickleball Slam 2 will be broadcast live on ESPN at 8:30 p . m . EST . •
players ( two men and two women ) and a maximum of six participants , which included a coach and a country captain .
The format of play was rally scoring to 15 with subsequent playoffs . The event was televised live on Pickleball Peru ’ s YouTube Channel . •
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023 | MAGAZINE 15