Andre Agassi: From Tennis Legend to Pickleball Enthusiast
Exploring the Growth, Culture, and Future of Pickleball Through the Eyes of a Champion
Introduction
Andre Agassi, a name etched in tennis history with eight Grand Slam titles and a rebellious spirit that captivated fans worldwide, has found a new passion that’s reshaping his life: pickleball. In a revealing episode of the Bad Calls podcast, hosted by Travis Rettenmaier and Graham D’Amico, Agassi opens up about his unexpected journey into this fast-growing sport. Recorded in sunny Las Vegas, the conversation delves into how Agassi discovered pickleball during the lockdown, why it became more than a pastime, and his candid thoughts on its growth, culture, and competitive potential. He shares personal anecdotes about playing with his wife, Steffi Graf, his investments in pickleball ventures like DUPR, Lifetime, and JOOLA, and how the sport’s mental and physical demands compare to tennis. This article takes you through Agassi’s insights, offering a deep dive into how a tennis icon is embracing—and helping to shape—the future of pickleball.
1. How He Discovered Pickleball During Lockdown
Time Code: [0:41 - 1:29]
- Agassi first encountered pickleball about three and a half years ago during the COVID-19 lockdown, seeking activities to do with his family.
- With courts at home and everyone “trapped in the house,” he played with his kids, appreciating how it bridged generational gaps.
- His casual interest turned serious when he agreed to a televised ESPN challenge alongside Andy Roddick against Michael Chang and John McEnroe.
Andre Agassi’s introduction to pickleball was a product of circumstance, born during the isolating days of the COVID-19 lockdown. With the world on pause and traditional tennis sidelined, Agassi turned to the courts in his own backyard for a way to stay active and connect with his children. He found pickleball’s accessibility appealing, noting how “generations could bond over it.” However, what began as a family pastime took a pivotal turn when he accepted an ESPN challenge. Pairing with Andy Roddick to face off against Michael Chang and John McEnroe, Agassi’s competitive instincts kicked in. He recalls debating the decision, knowing that saying yes meant he’d “start to care about it.” That moment marked the beginning of his deeper engagement with pickleball, transforming a casual lockdown activity into a pursuit that would soon dominate his attention and energy.
2. Why It Became More Than Just a Hobby
Time Code: [17:47 - 20:19]
- Agassi’s drive to improve stems from not yet reaching his ceiling, fueling his ongoing motivation to master the sport.
- Pickleball provided a “cheat code” to physical and mental renewal, helping him regain fitness and purpose after a period of stagnation.
- The sport’s authentic enjoyment sparked a positive cycle of community, competition, and personal growth.
For Agassi, pickleball transcended its initial role as a hobby due to its profound impact on his life. He admits to a relentless desire to push his limits, stating, “I’ve always been motivated at seeing what’s the most I can do.” This mindset keeps him hooked, as he sees endless room for improvement in his game. Beyond the technical allure, pickleball arrived at a critical juncture when Agassi, then in his early 50s, felt disconnected from physical goals after years of prioritizing his body for tennis. The sport became a lifeline, offering endorphins, a competitive outlet, and a path to better health—both physically and mentally. Travis Rettenmaier highlights this shift, noting how Agassi transformed from being out of shape to thriving, a change sparked by pickleball’s “positive cycle.” Agassi’s loyalty to the sport grew from this authentic enjoyment, turning it into a passion he couldn’t ignore.
3. His Honest Thoughts on the Sport’s Growth, Culture, and Competitive Ceiling
Time Code: [4:11 - 5:25]
- Agassi defends pickleball’s legitimacy, arguing its inclusivity and community benefits outweigh critics who dismiss it as “not a real sport.”
- He marvels at the skill of top players like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, suggesting the competitive ceiling is still evolving.
- He envisions a bright future, with potential for global expansion, Olympic inclusion, and college scholarships.
Agassi is a fierce advocate for pickleball, passionately countering skeptics—often tennis players—who question its credibility. He emphasizes its transformative power, stating, “It’s doing a bunch of good for a ton of people.” Unlike tennis, which can intimidate newcomers, pickleball’s low entry barrier invites everyone to participate, fostering a vibrant, inclusive culture. Agassi also recognizes the sport’s competitive depth, praising the mastery of pros like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters. He challenges detractors to “put their money where their mouth is,” asserting that the skill required at the highest levels is undeniable. Looking ahead, Agassi sees pickleball’s growth as inevitable, predicting it could become an Olympic sport and trickle into college programs. His optimism is grounded in its addictive appeal and rapid global spread, a “virus” he believes will continue to infect new regions and players.
4. Playing (and Drilling) with Steffi Graf
Time Code: [36:06 - 41:08]
- Agassi and Steffi Graf play together three times a week when schedules allow, balancing their shared love for the sport.
- Their styles differ: Agassi focuses on stabilizing his fundamentals, while Graf pushes the edges with aggressive, instinctive shots.
- They thrive as partners rather than opponents, as Graf’s competitiveness softens against Agassi, leading to a mutual spiral if they face off.
Pickleball has become a shared passion for Agassi and Steffi Graf, a tennis legend in her own right with 22 Grand Slam titles. The couple hits the court together several times a week, though Agassi notes it depends on their “balancing act” of travel and commitments. Their on-court dynamic is a study in contrasts: Agassi, the analyst, seeks a reliable foundation, while Graf, trusting her natural talent, plays on the edge—her dinks and slices often teetering between brilliance and risk. Agassi admires her tenacity, recalling how she brushed off his apologies for targeting her in practice, insisting, “Stop apologizing if I can’t defend that.” As partners, they complement each other, but as opponents, Graf’s reluctance to fully compete against him leads to a playful decline in performance for both. This synergy underscores how pickleball has deepened their bond, offering a fun yet challenging outlet they navigate together.
5. His Investment in the Future of Pickleball Through DUPR, Lifetime, and JOOLA
Time Code: [42:06 - 42:56]
- Agassi has invested in DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), Lifetime (a fitness and recreation giant), and JOOLA (a pickleball equipment brand), reflecting his belief in the sport’s growth.
- As chairman of Lifetime’s tennis and pickleball board, he supports initiatives like nationwide open play events to boost participation.
- He aims to elevate pickleball to Olympic status and enhance its visibility, suggesting improvements like better TV angles and tournament structures.
Agassi’s commitment to pickleball extends into its business ecosystem, where he’s a key player in shaping its future. His investments in DUPR, Lifetime, and JOOLA stem from a conviction that the sport’s growth is “not a gamble”—it’s a sure bet. At Lifetime, where he serves as chairman of the tennis and pickleball committee, Agassi champions initiatives like the nationwide open play event on April’s “pickleball month,” designed to ignite participation across 750 courts. His work with JOOLA reflects a hands-on approach to equipment innovation, while DUPR aims to refine player ratings and matchmaking. Agassi’s vision is bold: he dreams of pickleball in the Olympics, supported by college scholarships and a professional circuit akin to tennis. He also offers practical ideas, like raising camera angles for better TV viewing and restructuring tournaments to build toward climactic “slams,” signaling his intent to professionalize and globalize the sport he loves.
6. The Real Mental and Physical Toll of Tennis—and How Pickleball Changed That
Time Code: [3:16 - 4:06]
- Tennis is physically demanding, leaving Agassi tired but mentally energized, while pickleball’s narrow margins make it mentally exhausting yet less abusive on the body.
- Pickleball requires a delicate balance of urgency and calm, a shift from tennis’s power-driven play that Agassi finds both challenging and refreshing.
- The sport has revitalized him, offering a healthier outlet for competition without the physical toll of tennis.
Agassi’s comparison of tennis and pickleball reveals stark contrasts in their mental and physical demands. He describes tennis as the “most demanding racket sport” physically, emotionally, and mentally, a grueling endeavor that fueled his career but left lasting wear. After playing tennis, he felt physically drained yet mentally sharp, ready for a business meeting. Pickleball, however, flips this dynamic: its smaller court and tighter margins demand constant mental engagement—“every ball is under so much stress”—leaving him exhausted in a different way. The need to temper urgency with precision, unlike tennis’s reliance on raw power, was initially counterintuitive but ultimately liberating. Agassi notes that tennis “abuses” his body with its rotational strain, while pickleball offers a gentler alternative that still satisfies his competitive drive. This shift has been a game-changer, restoring his physical health and providing a mental outlet that aligns with his current life stage.
Summary
Andre Agassi’s transition from tennis legend to pickleball enthusiast, as shared on the Bad Calls podcast, is a compelling story of rediscovery and reinvention. What started as a lockdown diversion with his family evolved into a profound passion, sparked by a televised challenge and fueled by his relentless pursuit of improvement. Agassi champions pickleball’s growth and inclusive culture, seeing it as a sport with untapped competitive potential and a bright future—possibly even Olympic glory. His playful yet intense partnership with Steffi Graf on the court highlights how pickleball has enriched their relationship, while his investments in DUPR, Lifetime, and JOOLA reflect a strategic commitment to its expansion. Contrasting tennis’s physical toll with pickleball’s mental rigor, Agassi credits the latter with revitalizing his well-being, offering a fresh competitive outlet without the bodily strain. Through his journey, Agassi reveals pickleball’s power to connect, challenge, and inspire—a sport that’s not just a game, but a new chapter for a champion.
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