- NBC News: Andre Agassi joins pickleball craze with teen champ Anna Leigh Waters
- CNBC: Tennis great Andre Agassi and Pickleball star Anna Leigh Waters team up at US Pickleball Open
- Yahoo: Andre Agassi will play at the US Open Pickleball Championships next week
- Naples Daily News: Andre Agassi to make pro pickleball debut at US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples
- ESPN: Andre Agassi to play at the US Open Pickleball Championships
- New York Times: Why pickleball GOAT Anna Leigh Waters is partnering with Andre Agassi at the U.S. Open
- USA Today: Andre Agassi set to make professional pickleball debut with world No. 1 player
Tennis legend Andre Agassi is set to make his pro debut in another racket sport next week when he takes part in the U.S. Open Pickleball...
Anna Leigh Waters, an 18-year-old pickleball star, is teaming up with tennis legend Andre Agassi for the mixed doubles event at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, starting April 26, 2025, in Naples, Florida.
Waters aims to boost pickleball’s popularity, while Agassi sees it as a personal challenge to support her success.
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., with Waters earning over $3 million in 2024, highlighting its financial potential.
The partnership may help pickleball gain more spectators, though it currently relies on tennis stars for broader appeal.
There’s some tension between tennis and pickleball over shared court spaces, but both sports can likely coexist.
Why Pickleball GOAT Anna Leigh Waters is Partnering with Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi to Play Pro Pickleball with Waters
Waters to Earn Over $3 Million in 2024
Why Pickleball GOAT Anna Leigh Waters is Partnering with Andre Agassi at the U.S. Open
A Look into the Collaboration Between a Pickleball Prodigy and a Tennis Legend
Key Points
Overview
Anna Leigh Waters, considered the greatest women’s pickleball player at just 18, is partnering with Andre Agassi, a former tennis champion, for the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships. Their collaboration, set to begin with a match on April 30, 2025, broadcast on CBS Sports Network, is a significant moment for pickleball’s growth. Waters, with 148 Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) titles, seeks to elevate the sport’s profile, while Agassi, making his professional pickleball debut, aims to embrace a new challenge.
Reasons for the Partnership
Waters initiated the partnership to increase pickleball’s visibility, strategically choosing Agassi for his fame and compatible playing style. Agassi, who has played pickleball exhibitions, views this as an opportunity to test himself without hindering Waters’ dominance. Their shared goal is to draw more attention to pickleball, which has seen a 311% growth in participation over the past three years.
Impact on Pickleball
This high-profile pairing could enhance pickleball’s appeal as a spectator sport, with the U.S. Open attracting up to 50,000 fans annually. Waters’ success and Agassi’s involvement highlight pickleball’s financial and cultural rise, though the sport still leans on tennis stars for mainstream recognition. The collaboration may inspire more athletes to consider pickleball professionally.
Partnership Details
The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, held in Naples, Florida, will feature Anna Leigh Waters and Andre Agassi in the mixed doubles event. The tournament begins on April 26, 2025, with their first match scheduled for April 30 at noon ET, broadcast live on CBS Sports Network. Waters, who turned professional at 12, holds 148 PPA titles and is the world No. 1 in women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Agassi, a 54-year-old eight-time Grand Slam tennis champion, is making his professional pickleball debut, 19 years after his last tennis match in 2006.
Motivations and Goals
Waters scouted Agassi via YouTube videos, believing their aggressive playing styles would mesh well. Her primary motivation is to grow pickleball’s popularity, leveraging Agassi’s celebrity status. Agassi, humorously noting Waters’ desire for a challenge given her winning streak, aims to support her without disrupting her success. He sees the partnership as a chance to engage with a new sport and contribute to its development, as evidenced by his role as a brand ambassador for Joola and chair of Life Time’s pickleball and tennis board.
Pickleball’s Rapid Growth
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., with 48.3 million adults participating between 2022 and 2023, according to the Association of Pickleball Professionals. Its accessibility makes it appealing, though some question its seriousness compared to tennis. Financially, the sport is lucrative, with Waters earning over $3 million in 2024, surpassing many professional athletes in other sports like the WNBA (Forbes). The U.S. Open, founded in 2016, draws crowds of up to 50,000, indicating strong spectator interest.
Agassi’s Pickleball Journey
Agassi has been involved in pickleball since the COVID-19 lockdown, playing exhibitions like the “Pickleball Slams” with his wife, Steffi Graf. His role with Joola and Life Time underscores his commitment to the sport’s growth. However, he has stated he will not join Major League Pickleball or the PPA Tour due to time constraints, suggesting this partnership may be a one-time event (CNBC).
Waters’ Path to Pickleball
Waters began playing pickleball with her mother, Leigh, who is now her coach. She preferred pickleball over tennis due to its less intense competitive environment in South Florida, a tennis hotbed. Citing idols like Serena Williams and Simone Biles, Waters chose pickleball over college, seeing it as a viable career path. Her success, including being the highest earner in the sport, validates this decision.
Tennis and Pickleball Dynamics
There is some tension between tennis and pickleball, particularly over shared court spaces, as repurposing tennis courts for pickleball is cost-effective (The Athletic). However, both sports can coexist, with Agassi noting pickleball’s social benefits, such as helping him and Graf make friends. Waters acknowledges occasional snobbishness from tennis players but believes the sports complement each other.
Preparation and Strategy
Waters leads on strategy and opposition analysis, reassuring Agassi of his skills. Both players favor an aggressive “grip it and rip it” style, aligning with pickleball’s trend toward dynamic play. Agassi, adapting his tennis experience, values Waters’ guidance and is open to feedback during matches.
Spectator Appeal and Future Impact
The U.S. Open’s broadcast on CBS Sports Network and the Pickleball Channel aims to boost pickleball’s spectator appeal. While tennis has struggled with participation, pickleball’s growth suggests it could become a major spectator sport. This partnership may attract tennis fans, potentially bridging the gap between the two sports. Waters’ choice to pursue pickleball professionally, alongside other tennis players transitioning to the sport, indicates its growing legitimacy.
Waters’ Career Choices
Waters’ decision to forgo college for pickleball reflects her confidence in the sport’s future. Playing in approximately 25 tournaments annually, she has built a successful career, with events like the AO Pickleball Slam showcasing pickleball’s global reach. Her success as a non-tennis-background player sets her apart in a sport increasingly attracting retired tennis professionals.
Agassi’s Perspective
Agassi views this partnership as a rare opportunity to try something new, expressing excitement about the challenge. He values the social and competitive aspects of pickleball and hopes to contribute to its growth without overshadowing Waters’ dominance.
In-Depth Analysis
The partnership between Anna Leigh Waters and Andre Agassi at the 2025 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships is a pivotal moment for pickleball. Waters, a prodigy with unmatched achievements, strategically partners with Agassi to elevate the sport’s profile. Agassi’s involvement adds prestige, drawing attention from tennis fans and potentially increasing pickleball’s mainstream appeal. The sport’s rapid growth, financial success, and accessibility make it a viable career path, as evidenced by Waters’ earnings and the tournament’s large attendance. While pickleball currently relies on tennis stars for broader recognition, talents like Waters suggest it may soon develop its own star power. The collaboration highlights the potential for tennis and pickleball to coexist, with social and competitive benefits fostering community and growth. As pickleball evolves, such partnerships are crucial for its transition into a major spectator sport, marking a new era for racket sports.
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Event | U.S. Open Pickleball Championships |
Date | Begins April 26, 2025; first match April 30, 2025 |
Location | Naples, Florida |
Broadcast | CBS Sports Network |
Partnership | Anna Leigh Waters and Andre Agassi, mixed doubles |
Waters’ Achievements | 148 PPA titles, world No. 1 in singles, doubles, mixed doubles |
Agassi’s Background | Eight-time Grand Slam tennis champion, last match 2006 |
Waters’ Earnings | Over $3 million in 2024 |
Tournament Attendance | Up to 50,000 fans annually |
Key Citations
Andre & Anna Leigh: US Open Pickleball Championships v2
Folk Intro
On the courts of Naples, where the April sun shines bright,
Andre and Anna Lee, ready to ignite.
Pickleball paddles in their hands so tight,
April 30th, they’re the stars of the night.
With every serve and every swing,
It's a historical moment on a pickleball wing.
(Humming fades into a smooth, jazzy rhythm with a piano riff.)
Jazzy Verse
Andre, a legend of the game,
From tennis courts to pickleball fame.
His backhand’s sharp, his volleys fly,
Now he’s dinkin’ with a brand-new vibe.
With Anna Lee, the queen of the scene,
Together they’re a pickleball dream team.
Swingin’ smooth, with a jazzy groove,
They’ve got the moves, they’ve got the proof.
(The beat picks up, transitioning into a 90’s rap rhythm.)
Rap Verse
Yo, Anna Lee Waters, she’s the G.O.A.T., no doubt,
At just 18, she’s what pickleball’s about.
World number one, in singles, doubles, mixed,
Her paddle’s hot, her game’s straight fixed.
Teamed with Andre, yeah, they’re bringin’ the heat,
On April 30th, they can’t be beat.
From the baseline to the kitchen line,
They’re servin’ up winners, one point at a time.
Jazzy Bridge
The crowd’s alive, the energy’s high,
With every lob, they touch the sky.
Andre’s got the power, Anna’ Lee's got the rip it grace,
Together they’re unstoppable in this pickleball race.
(The rhythm slows back into a folk melody.)
Rap Verse
Andre’s back, but it’s a different court,
From Grand Slams to pickleball sport.
He’s 55, on April 29th but still got the fire,
With Anna Lee, they’re takin’ it higher.
She’s the future, he’s the past,
But together, yo, they’re built to last.
CBS Sports, they’re on the screen,
The greatest duo you’ve ever seen.
Folk Outro
So here’s to Andre, here’s to Anna Lee,
Pickleball legends for all to see.
On April 30th, they will take the stand,
And played their hearts out, hand in hand.
With every swing, with every cheer,
They’re the reason we’re all here.
(The song ends with soft finger-picking and humming, fading out.)
