Okay, so what do you think is the prime age to make a tennis debut? You might say 14, like Swiss sensation Martina Hingis or the Williams sisters, or 15, like legend Rafael Nadal. But what if I told you that you could step into the professional tennis circuit at nearly 50 years of age? Shocking, right? Well, be ready to be amazed, because one of the chart-topping pop stars Stefan Gordy, aka Redfoo, just made his stunning professional tennis debut yesterday, leaving the tennis world speechless! And, in the wake of this jaw-dropping turn of events, Jimmy Arias, the former American tennis pro, couldn’t help but weigh in on the situation.  

Redfoo, one of the stage names of LMFAO star Stefan Gordy, was a defining pop artist of the 2010s era. Remember his smashing hits like “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy and I Know It”? Well, the pop icon didn’t just dominate the global music charts, he also had a deep-rooted passion for professional tennis. His connection to tennis became more evident when he started dating former WTA No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in 2012. Before their split in 2014, Redfoo was often spotted in Azarenka’s player box at major tournaments, including the 2012 US Open, the 2013 AO, and Wimbledon, and again at the 2014 AO.

However, Gordy’s love for tennis truly came into the spotlight in 2013, when he made a bold attempt to qualify for the US Open through a wild-card entry. Unfortunately, his journey ended in the first round at the “USTA Northern California Sectional” qualifying tournament. Almost 12 years later, at the age of 49, Redfoo finally made his long-awaited professional tennis debut with a wild-card entry at an “ITF M15 tournament” in Egypt. However, his first match ended in a 6-1, 6-0 loss to Norway’s Leyton Rivera. And, following his defeat, former American tennis player James Arias shared his thoughts, adding to the conversation surrounding Redfoo’s unexpected leap into professional sport.

Speaking to the “Tennis Channel Live” podcast, Arias was asked by host Brett Haber about his thoughts on Redfoo’s tennis debut at 49. He said, “It was a fantastic showing. He’s just got little tired at the end of the match. He’s 49. He lost the last five games. He lost very quickly but he in the first set he got a game, he gotta like that. He’s gotta fight hard, he’s improving every week.” That’s not it!

The American rapper, DJ, singer, and record producer shared a special rally from his match on Instagram, along with his remarks right after the match. “I lost the match but this was my best point. Good match and good luck Leyton,” he added.

If you think Gordy’s love for tennis began with his professional debut, think again! His relationship with the sport runs far deeper and dates back long before his first official match yesterday in Egypt.

Contribution to ITF action and Timeball Social Club

This isn’t the first time that the world-renowned musician has captured the spotlight. Stefan Gordy, better known as Redfoo, first caught fans’ attention in 2011 with Party Rock Anthem, a chart-topping hit that dominated the Billboard Hot 100 in that era. However, despite achieving massive fame in music, Redfoo’s passion for tennis has repeatedly drawn him back to the sport, something he has pursued in various ways over the past years.

Back in November 2023, Redfoo competed in a Masters Tour event in La Jolla in a men’s doubles match, though he was defeated. The LMFAO artist made a surprising appearance at the “M15-level” event, only to fall short against Dusan Baranec. Despite this setback, Redfoo has long been an integral part of the tennis world, even before his official debut yesterday. He not only sponsored the “ITF $50K Party Rock Open” in 2012 and 2013 but also introduced the ‘Timeball’ tennis last year, further cementing his influence in the professional tennis community. And, after organizing the event, the Pop artist also gave an exclusive interview to the Baseline last March.

“There’s some tennis players who love pickleball and play it, and others who are like, we’re tennis only. In some ways this is bridging that gap, because it’s bringing to tennis what makes pickleball so popular. It’s a community-builder, we think of it as a Timeball Social Club,” he said.

The American is one of the few individuals who have chosen tennis as a second career after iconic soccer players like Uruguayan Diego Forlan and Italian Paolo Maldini. But, will he be able to win a trophy before turning 50 in September? Share your thoughts below!