Former Tennis Pro Andre Agassi Partners with World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters at U.S. Pickleball Championships

Former tennis player Andre Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, is set to compete in professional pickleball at the U.S. Championships alongside world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters. Agassi joins other former professional tennis players in the sport, including Genie Bouchard, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, and Donald Young. Waters is the defending women's doubles and mixed pro doubles champion, and Agassi has become a spokesperson for the sport, which he enjoys for its social and inclusive nature.

Andre Agassi, the eight-time Grand Slam champion, is set to make his professional pickleball debut at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, partnering with world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters. This marks Agassi's first professional pickleball appearance, following his participation in high-level exhibition events and his role as a brand ambassador for pickleball equipment [2].

Waters, who has won 148 PPA titles, including 148 gold medals, is known as the greatest women’s player of all time in pickleball. She is the defending women’s doubles champion and will compete in the mixed doubles event alongside Agassi at the tournament, which begins April 26 in Naples, Florida [3].

Agassi, who turns 55 next week, has been involved in promoting pickleball through social media and television appearances. His participation in the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships is expected to attract significant attention, given his tennis legacy and the sport's growing popularity. Pickleball, a mix of tennis and ping pong, has seen rapid growth in the United States, with an estimated 48.3 million adults playing between 2022 and 2023 [3].

The partnership between Agassi and Waters is anticipated to bring new excitement to the tournament. Agassi has expressed his willingness to challenge himself to not "screw things up" for Waters, who is already one of the most accomplished players in the sport [1].

The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships will feature other notable former tennis players, including Genie Bouchard, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, and Donald Young, who have transitioned to professional pickleball. This event highlights the crossover appeal of pickleball to tennis enthusiasts and the sport's growing professional scene [1].

The event is expected to be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network, providing an opportunity for investors and financial professionals to observe the growth and potential of the pickleball industry [3].

References:
[1] https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/andre-agassi-to-make-pro-pickleball-debut-with-anna-leigh-waters-at-us-open-pickleball-championships
[2] https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/andre-agassi-will-play-at-the-us-open-pickleball-20289217.php
[3] https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6298516/2025/04/22/pickleball-anna-leigh-waters-us-open-andre-agassi/