Who would’ve predicted that the legends of tennis would swap the hallowed grass of Wimbledon for the pickleball court? Ivan Lendl, once the titan of tennis in the ’80s, shifted gears to golf post-retirement. But why is he now leaning into pickleball, a sport gaining immense traction in America? Lendl is finding solace and exercise in this new endeavor, and its allure is also swaying tennis maestro John McEnroe.What draws these giants from the grand slams to this burgeoning racket game?

Legends like John McEnroe, Steffi Graf, Maria Sharapova, Naomi Osaka, and prominent figures like Tom Brady, are now turning their focus to America’s fastest-growing racket sport. In a tale of unexpected transitions, we see the merging worlds of tennis and pickleball. Will the roar of pickleball in the US overshadow the echoes of tennis soon?

From tennis courts to pickleball arenas: John McEnroe and Lendl’s new sporting passion

In the golden age of tennis during the 1980s, the image of Ivan Lendl stood tall. However, as time moved on, chronic back issues pushed him into an early retirement at 34. Lendl channeled his passion into another sport: golf. While the tennis icon made impressive strides in the world of golf. The winds of change seem to be pushing him towards another racket sport, pickleball, America’s rapidly-growing sensation.

“In a way, [pickleball] has helped my golf game,” Lendl stated during a casual Sunday game break. Lendl continued, “I used to play golf six times a week. So now, I can’t play tomorrow. I’ll be sore. But if I loosen up, I can practice. I’m practicing short irons, short game, and putting, and I’m good by Tuesday.” The sport has impacted his golf schedule and provided physical benefits. “It also has loosened up my hips a bit,” Lendl added.

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Ivan Lendl’s transition to pickleball comes after undergoing twin hip replacements, which marked the end of his brief tennis comebacks. This shift to a less strenuous game seems to be just what the doctor ordered. “When I started playing, I realized it’s good exercise,” he mentioned. “My body was hurting, but then I started getting better, started getting used to it.”

The move to pickleball by tennis legends is becoming less of an anomaly and more of a trend. John McEnroe and his legendary tennis duels with Ivan Lendl captivated audiences in the 1980s. He too has shown a burgeoning interest in the rapidly growing sport of pickleball. With such prominent figures taking notice, many other tennis legends have also expressed interest in participating and investing in Pickleball.

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From tennis courts to pickleball arenas: the sporting shift of legends

As the world of racket sports evolves, tennis legends are finding a new home in pickleball. John McEnroe’s recent expression of intrigue regarding the upcoming Slam 2 indicates a potential crossover of tennis titans into this rapidly flourishing racket sport. Notably, the upcoming Slam 2 is set to be a spectacle as tennis titans like McEnroe, Graf, Agassi, and Sharapova prepare to step onto the pickleball court. With Andy Roddick and Agassi having secured Slam 1 last year, the stakes and expectations for this year’s event are soaring.

Pickleball isn’t just limited to the court, and it allures. Big names like Naomi Osaka, Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Nick Kyrgios are investing in Major League Pickleball teams. As more tennis professionals and sports icons shift their focus and finances towards pickleball,  one wonders if this rapidly growing sport might soon eclipse tennis in viewership and popularity in the US.

The shift of tennis legends like Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe to pickleball, combined with significant investments from sports icons. As the Slam 2 is approaching, it is potentially changing the racket sports hierarchy. Will pickleball surpass tennis in popularity?

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