NEW YORK - Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova is set to make her pickleball debut next year. The former world No. 1 tennis player will team up with John McEnroe to take on fellow tennis legends Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi at the Pickleball Slam 2 event on February 4th, 2024 in Miami.
Sharapova announced the news in a video posted to her social media channels this week. "I'm playing pickleball. And not just any pickleball, I am playing with John McEnroe against Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi," Sharapova said. "February 4, in Miami, at the Hard Rock [Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida], it's the Pickleball Slam 2."
The 36-year-old Russian tennis icon, who retired from professional tennis in 2020, admitted she's feeling some nerves ahead of her inaugural pickleball match. "Dare I say I'm getting a little competitive, and slightly nervous and anxious?" Sharapova said. "But don't mind me, I can't wait to see you there, tune in, watch us, support us."
In the video, McEnroe also chimed in, donning a hat that read "Team Mac. The Mac Attack is back for Pickleball Slam 2."
The mixed doubles exhibition match will take place on a professional pickleball court and feature standard pickleball rules and scoring. A $1 million purse will be up for grabs for the winning duo.
Pickleball, often described as a mashup of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, has exploded in popularity over the past few years. The sport features a smaller court and paddle racquets instead of traditional tennis racquets. The easy access and low physical intensity has attracted many former professional tennis players looking to continue competing in a racquet sport after their high-level tennis careers.
Eugenie Bouchard, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist, recently announced her intention to turn professional in pickleball and compete full-time. Other big tennis names like Andy Roddick, James Blake and the Bryan Brothers have also been active in high-profile pickleball events.
For Sharapova, the Pickleball Slam 2 event marks her first public competition since retiring from professional tennis in February 2020 due to ongoing shoulder injuries. During her storied career, Sharapova won five Grand Slam singles titles and achieved the world No. 1 ranking. At 17 years old, she famously won Wimbledon in 2004 to become the third youngest woman to win the title.
Since stepping away from tennis, Sharapova has focused on business and entrepreneurial ventures, including launching her own candy company Sugarpova and investing in companies like Therabody, Anthropic and Public.com. She also gave birth to her first child, son Theodore, in July 2022.
The pickleball match in Miami represents a chance for Sharapova to thrill fans and show off her competitive skills once again. McEnroe, well known for his fiery temperament during his Hall of Fame tennis career, should complement Sharapova's famous intensity on the court.
Their opponents, Graf and Agassi, make up the "royal couple" of tennis. Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles while Agassi won eight Grand Slams. Both players were world No. 1 during their careers. Agassi partnered with Andy Roddick to win last year's Pickleball Slam 1 over McEnroe and Michael Chang.
With four tennis legends on the pickleball court, the exhibition match is sure to draw plenty of attention. Sharapova's announcement video indicates she's already feeling the competitive juices flowing again. Pickleball fans and tennis enthusiasts alike will be eager to see how Sharapova's skills translate to the new sport when she makes her long-awaited return to competition in February.
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