the greatest forehand ever in women ’ s tennis . “ I tend to want to keep my feet moving . That ’ s what I learned in tennis ,” she says . “ My mind knows what I should be doing , but my body is not quite ready to let that tennis mind go . I have a bit of a hard time getting back into that competitive mode . I want to enjoy it . I love the challenge of it … but I also don ’ t want to get too competitive .”
Being too competitive has never been a problem for John McEnroe . The Queens , New York , native has taken to pickleball , surprising many . And , as the Slam 2 warm-up matches featuring former players James Blake and Jack Sock were finishing up , many of the 7,000 fans in attendance at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood , Florida , were clamoring for the main attraction . Sock has also fully embraced the sport of pickleball , now playing professionally full time .
Playing the best of three games to 11 , the premier Pickleball Slam 2 match started off with a signature backhand volley off the paddle of McEnroe that Graf couldn ’ t handle . But Agassi showed his fast hands and got them up 6-4 in the first game when he sent a deft backhand drop shot that Sharapova netted to put the Graf-Agassi pairing up by three points . But what would a match be without an outburst from Johnny Mac ? Down 9-7 , Sharapova was called for a foot fault and the all-too-familiar fiery McEnroe exploded in anger , questioning the referee but to no avail . “ How come we can ’ t challenge that ? Suddenly , we can ’ t challenge it . Just out of curiosity , is there some sort of rule since we ’ re playing an exhibition here ?” said Mac . For his antics , he received a code violation . Fans were expecting entertainment and McEnroe , in his own inimitable style , delivered like only he can .
With a first-game win under their belts at 11-7 , Graf and Agassi jumped out to an early 7-3 lead in the second game , displaying prowess in their net game . With match point on her paddle at 10-7 , Graf tried to serve it out but McEnroe had other plans , hitting a backhand return that she couldn ’ t handle . Sharapova and McEnroe both displayed steady net play over the next two points , evening the score at 10 .
Perhaps the point of the match came when Agassi was serving for the win at 11-10 . After a lengthy rally , Graf missed an overhead but Agassi recovered , only to see McEnroe put away a backhand winner . The crowd came alive , sensing a potential third game . But , with Graf serving at 12-11 , Agassi fired a passing shot down the line that nicked McEnroe ’ s frame , giving the match to the husband-and-wife team , 13-11 .
“ This is such a great event with everyone coming out to support it ,” said Agassi . “ This is so good for the game of pickleball , and it ’ s been a thrill to be on the court with Steffi .” Playing in the event was a great experience for Steffi as well . “ Last year , I came here as a spectator and John kind of pulled me in . So many fun times trying to learn this game … it ’ s been a lot of fun and a great challenge too .”
Agassi added , “ Like I ’ ve said , ‘ As long as I can walk , I ’ m playing pickleball — that ’ s how much I enjoy this game .’”
Not sure if John McEnroe would echo those sentiments , but we ’ ll see if he ’ s up for another shot in Pickleball Slam 3 . •
Drew Wathey is a published author and screenwriter (“ A Season With Hope ”) and former director of communications for the PGA Tour ’ s Phoenix Open . Wathey is the owner of SportsLink , a home-based sports public relations and marketing company . He is also a national sports anchor for iHeart Radio . His family lives in Phoenix , Arizona .
TENNIS ICONS FIND A NEW PASSION IN PICKLEBALL
Legendary tennis couple Andre Agassi , 53 , and Steffi Graf , 54 , defeated tennis legends John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova to win a $ 1 million purse in Pickleball Slam 2 , which was broadcast in February in prime time on ESPN and held at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood , Florida .
Agassi is widely considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time and the only player to win the Career Golden Slam and the ATP Tour World Championships — a distinction dubbed a “ Career Super Slam .” Graf is one of the greatest women ’ s players in history , with 22 Grand Slam singles titles , and is the only player to win the “ Golden Grand Slam ”— capturing all four majors and an Olympic gold medal the same year .
The couple have been married 23 years and have two children , son Jaden , 22 , and daughter , Jaz Elle , 20 .
Agassi ’ s post-tennis career is focused on philanthropy through the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education , which has been instrumental in transforming public education in the United States , focusing on children and communities in need . He established the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy , a charter school in Las Vegas , to provide quality education and opportunities to those who need them most .
Agassi ’ s newest venture in pickleball is a partnership with Komodo Pickleball , where he ’ s helping to create innovative paddles . While most paddles are made out of carbon fiber , graphite or fiberglass composite , Agassi is experimenting with a Kevlar variation to combine a soft feel ( for dinks ) with a powerful burst ( for slams ).
— Julie Talerico
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