Pickleball has been rapidly growing in popularity in recent years, and now it’s ready to take centre stage. On April 2nd, the first-ever Pickleball Slam was held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, featuring some of tennis’ biggest stars. Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Michael Chang and Andy Roddick – all former Grand Slam champions – competed for a chance to win a $1 million purse.
Pickleball is on the rise
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and has since become one of America’s fastest-growing sports. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association reports that pickleball participation had increased by 159% since 2019, with nearly 37 million players in 2022. It combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis and is played with paddles and a plastic ball on a court that measures 20 feet by 44 feet.
Pickleball has attracted many celebrity investors like LeBron James, Heidi Klum and Patrick Mahomes. Major League Pickleball founder Steve Kuhn predicts that pickleball “will be easily a top-five sport in the next five years in terms of viewership” and could challenge MLS, Major League Baseball, and NHL.
The Pickleball Slam debuts with tennis legends
The inaugural Pickleball Slam, held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, featured four tennis legends: Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Michael Chang and Andy Roddick. The event was created by David Levy’s Horizon Sports & Experiences which launched in November 2021 with the goal of focusing on developing Formula 1, soccer, golf and pickleball.
The players participated both individually and in doubles matches. The event drew interest and attention from pickleball enthusiasts as well as tennis fans around the world. Despite some criticism from some former tennis players, the Pickleball Slam was a big success.
The success of the Pickleball Slam
The event was created in a short amount of time and was broadcast on ESPN on Sunday, April 3, 2022, before the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game. The players not only competed for the $1 million prize but also had an opportunity to promote the sport and bring it to a wider audience through their star power.
The Pickleball Slam included an amateur challenge, with winners getting to play against two of the four legends: Agassi, Chang, McEnroe, and Roddick. The amateur challenge brought in new players and allowed them to experience playing against some of the best athletes in racket sports.
The Pickleball Slam showcases some of the best racket players in the world, making it an authentic and exciting event for viewers. David Levy, co-CEO of Horizon Sports & Experiences, believes that partnering with ESPN was crucial to the success of the event due to their reach.
Agassi’s involvement in educating youth
Agassi’s participation in this event extends beyond just playing pickleball. He is involved in educating youth through the TurnerAgassi Education Facilities Fund which creates charter schools for underserved communities. His participation brings attention not only to pickleball but also to his philanthropic efforts.
Conclusion:
Pickleball continues to fascinate not only Americans but people worldwide, attracting celebrity investors and former tennis champions. The successful debut of Pickleball Slam has shown that it has potential as a professional sport with exciting tournaments and high stakes.
Despite former tennis champions like Andy Roddick being skeptical of pickleball’s prospects as a professional sport, it is clear that many are seeing its potential. With players like Andre Agassi and Michael Chang and the support of enthusiastic investors, it is clear that pickleball could soon make a name for itself in the world of sports. It is an exciting time for this sport, and only time will tell if it can reach the heights that many in the industry believe it can.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
