CNN
—
Tennis legends Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang will go head-to-head later this 12 months in pursuit of a $1 million prize – taking part in pickleball.
The embellished tennis greats are to contest the Inaugural Pickleball Slam, which is able to happen on April 2 on the Exhausting Rock Reside at Seminole Exhausting Rock Resort & On line casino in Hollywood, Florida, in response to occasion organizers Horizon Sports activities & Experiences (HS&E).
Agassi, McEnroe, Roddick and Chang every boast storied careers.
Eight time grand slam winner Agassi retired from tennis in 2006, whereas McEnroe, who’s a seven-time grand slam singles winner, has change into a widely known commentator and pundit.
Former world no.1 Roddick is the final American man to win a grand slam – he achieved that feat in 2003 – whereas Chang is the youngest man to win a tennis main, after bagging the 1989 French Open title on the age of 17.
David Levy, co-CEO of HS&E known as the pickleball slam a “convergence of tradition and sport.”
“We look ahead to bringing collectively 4 of America’s most iconic tennis legends for this groundbreaking competitors, which heralds a brand new milestone for the quickest rising sport in America,” he added.
Like with different racket sports activities, pickleball entails getting the ball over the web and stopping your opponent from hitting it again.
It may be performed in singles or doubles, inside or exterior on a 20-foot by 44-foot court docket – roughly the scale of a badminton court docket – and lasts till one facet reaches 11 factors, with a two-point cushion.
Pickleball’s reputation has skyrocketed in North America, partly pushed by the Covid-19 pandemic because it affords a secure, socially distanced type of train.
It had initially discovered a stable base amongst retirement communities the place it was beloved for its sociable facet, reasonable train, and for merely being enjoyable.
Between 2018 and 2021, nevertheless, USA Pickleball membership practically doubled and the group estimates that 4.8 million People now play the game.
Correction: A earlier model of this text talked about the inaccurate 12 months of Michael Chang’s French Open win. This has now been amended.
