Remember when tennis icon Andre Agassi downplayed fears that pickleball might overshadow tennis? Speaking to ‘BW Businessworld’ last year, he confidently said, “Anybody that loves pickleball loves to play. Anybody that loves tennis loves to play but also loves to watch.” Fast forward to today, and Agassi’s words are aging like fine wine. While tennis continues to thrive globally, pickleball is carving out its vibrant community, with Agassi leading the charge. From promoting the sport to lighting up back-to-back Pickleball Slams, the legend recently debuted at the US Open Pickleball Championships. And what made the moment sweeter? His daughter Jaz Elle Agassi, beaming with pride, is celebrating her dad’s latest chapter beyond professional tennis. However, how did the 21-year-old commemorate her father’s recent accomplishment?

The Eight-time GS champion marked a stunning new chapter in his already legendary career just a day after turning 55 on April 30. Making his much-anticipated professional pickleball debut, the American icon stepped onto the court at the US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida, over two decades since retiring from professional tennis. Partnering with world top seed Anna Leigh Waters in the mixed doubles event, Agassi made a bold entrance into the rapidly growing sport.

“When Anna Leigh Waters asks you to do anything, you say yes. That’s how much I respect what she’s managed to do in this great game,” Agassi said in a press conference before the match, paying tribute to Waters’ meteoric rise in pickleball. With mutual admiration and fierce competitiveness fueling their pairing, Agassi and Waters stepped onto the court against teen sensations Stevie Petropouleas (13) and Tristan Dussault (16), eager to prove their synergy. The emotional high didn’t end on the court, but off it. His daughter made the moment even more special.

Jaz Agassi took to IG to share her pride, posting two heartfelt stories. One showcased the vibrant arena, and the 2nd captured the exact moment her father smashed the winning shot, followed by a warm embrace with Waters. Captioned simply, “So proud,” the post tagged both Andre and Anna, cementing the emotional resonance of this career milestone.

They opened strong, clinching the 1st set 11-8, but the young duo rallied back in the 2nd with a narrow 11-9 win. The final set saw Agassi and Waters reset their rhythm to dominate 11-7, sealing the victory in Agassi’s first professional pickleball appearance. 

However, the debut tournament journey wasn’t all smooth sailing! Later that same evening, Agassi and Waters faced a challenging duo in Trang Huynh-McClain and Len Yang. Despite an early lead with an 11-7 set win, they were outplayed in the final 2 sets (11-4, 11-7), bowing out in the mixed pro doubles R16. Still, the performance resonated with fans and hinted at more to come.

“Coming out here with Anna Leigh, I was more nervous than a gypsy with a mortgage,” Agassi admitted during a post-match interview with CBS Sports Network. Reflecting on the experience, Agassi also added, “This is a metaphor for life: Choose your partners well.” 

But hold on! Andre’s comment about choosing the right partner isn’t exactly new. Or is it?

Andre Agassi opened up about playing Pickleball alongside his preferred partner

Remember last year’s thrilling Pickleball Slam 2? Tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf stole the spotlight, teaming up to defeat fellow icons John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova, taking home a whopping “$1 million” prize. More than just a win, the match highlighted their seamless partnership, proving that even after 24 years of marriage, Agassi and Graf remain a formidable force both on and off the court. As Steffi charmingly told People magazine back in March, “We don’t play pickleball against each other. We prefer to be on the same side of the court.” And now, Agassi has opened up about the heartwarming reason why competing against his wife simply doesn’t work.

In a recent IG story, Agassi shared a feature from Us Weekly, writing, “Thanks for the feature on @lifetime.pickleball @usweekly.” Within the piece, he explained why he and Steffi don’t go head-to-head in pickleball matches: “We’re much better together. When we’re against each other, she drops her level and I drop mine. We spiral downward against each other. With each other, we help,”

Agassi went on to share how pickleball has added a new spark to their relationship. “When this game sort of originally caught on… everybody thinks it’s for old people, and then it’s like it’s gotten so much younger, so I feel like I can still get better at something, which is really cool. But then, to do it with her, it gives us a bonding experience.” 

As his latest tournament concludes, fans are left wondering, next time, will Agassi bring Steffi back by his side to steady his nerves and strengthen their on-court magic once again? What do you think?