Tennis Hall of Famers Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have found a new passion since retiring from professional tennis: pickleball. The married couple, both iconic figures in the sport of tennis, have embraced this fast-growing sport, which they now play several times a week. Their shared love for pickleball began during the pandemic and has blossomed into a regular part of their lifestyle, often substituting their tennis games for this exciting new challenge.
“We like that pickleball is a community-driven sport,” Agassi shared with PEOPLE during an interview at The Breakers Palm Beach, where the couple celebrated the resort’s newly expanded $12 million racquet sports complex. The complex features 12 tennis courts, two pickleball courts, and two padel courts. Agassi explained that the game’s rapid learning curve is one of the sport’s key attractions, as players of all ages improve quickly, and the sport is drawing in younger players every day.
While Agassi still plays tennis, Graf, who retired from tennis after winning 22 Grand Slam singles titles, now focuses mostly on pickleball. “I don’t play tennis much anymore,” she said. “We really liked learning a new sport during the pandemic and meeting new friends through pickleball.” The switch to pickleball offers them a low-impact option compared to tennis, reducing the risk of injury while still providing a competitive and fun challenge.
Despite their shared enthusiasm for the sport, the couple has one unique rule when it comes to playing pickleball together: “We don’t play each other. We prefer to be on the same side of the court,” Graf revealed. It seems that, despite their competitive spirits, the two prefer collaborating over competing when it comes to their new favorite hobby.
Their pickleball skills were on full display in February, when the couple won the Pickleball Slam, one of the premier events in the sport, broadcast on ESPN. Their victory at the event has fueled their desire to spread the joy of pickleball to others. “We want more people to play and grow to love the sport as much as we do,” Agassi explained.
For the couple, pickleball has become more than just a pastime—it’s a way to stay active, connect with others, and enjoy a fresh challenge together. As their love for the sport continues to grow, they’re encouraging fans and newcomers alike to give it a try, perhaps even on the same side of the court.
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