To many’s dismay, over the previous few years tennis courts throughout the US, and the world, have been quickly taken over by the pickleball courtroom, a sport that you simply most likely hadn’t heard of till a number of years in the past. Regardless of its invention in 1965, it wasn’t till the late 2010s when its recognition skyrocketed; and was subsequently named the quickest rising sport by the Sports activities & Health Business Affiliation from 2021 to 2024.
The game is far simpler to be taught than tennis and comparatively cheap, making it the right pastime for folks of all ages, skills and backgrounds to compete towards one another in a enjoyable but aggressive means. Pickleball has additionally grabbed the eye of many former tennis gamers who’ve aided in bringing the skilled aspect of pickleball into the general public eye, see a few of them beneath.
Andre Agassi
© Getty PicturesThis listing has to start with Andre, an 8-time Grand Slam winner, who accomplished the coveted achievement the place a participant should win all 4 majors, one thing solely 13 different tennis gamers have performed. He additionally gained the Olympic gold medal in 1996. Andre participated within the first reside airing of pickleball on ESPN in 2023 and in April 2025 he made his skilled debut on the US Open Pickleball Championships, the place he gained alongside Anna Leigh Waters.
Eugenie Bouchard
© Getty PicturesEugenie noticed a lot success as a junior tennis participant, profitable her first skilled title when she was 16, and he or she additionally achieved a career-high rating of world no. 5 in 2014. In 2023, she was reportedly provided $1.5 million from the PPA (Skilled Pickleball Affiliation) to affix the skilled pickleball circuit, the place she is at present thought-about one of many largest pickleball stars.
John McEnroe
© Getty PicturesJohn is one other former world no. 1 tennis participant and seven-time Grand Slam winner to make the shift to pickleball lately. John debuted in 1978 and formally retired from tennis in 1992. He pursued many passions after his retirement, having had a short music profession, working as a sports activities commentator, earlier than becoming a member of Andre’s in ESPN’s first reside airing of pickleball in 2023.
James Blake
© Getty PicturesJames, a former world no. 4 tennis participant, was an early investor in skilled pickleball. He invested in Main League Pickleball (MLP) in 2021 and co-owns the MLP crew the Milwaukee Mashers, making him one of many first tennis stars to make the transfer.
Aryna Sabalenka
© Getty PicturesAt present world no. 1 in singles, Aryna hasn’t missed out on the enjoyable of pickleball. In January 2025, Aryna performed an informal recreation within the Hilton Rooftop Pickleball occasion in Melbourne, Australia, cementing pickleball’s relevance on this planet {of professional} tennis.
Pickleball has confirmed itself to be a super sport for retired tennis gamers; so, who will probably be subsequent? It most likely will not be Andy Murray, who retired in 2024, and who beforehand acknowledged that he is “not a fan.” Regardless of Andy not approving, it does not appear like pickleball’s development will decelerate anytime quickly, and the game that mixes one of the best components of tennis, ping pong and badminton will probably be round for a lot of extra a long time to return.
