There’s a familiar face returning to the realm of rackets and courts. Maria Sharapova, who dominated the tennis courts during her heyday, is ready to bring her style and competitive spirit to the pickleball world. As a lot of tennis titans make their way into the growing racket sport, the Russian tennis player will also be seen playing the game along with other well-known names. While everybody is quite excited to see the five-time Grand Slam champion play pickleball, she had a small concern to deal with.

Teamed up with John McEnroe and getting ready to play against Andre Agassi and his wife, Steffi Graf, the 37-year-old is getting ready to give her 100%. But before stepping on the court for the Pickleball Slam 2, Sharapova opened up about her rookie feelings that are going through her head regarding her transition.

Maria Sharapova’s rookie feeling before the Pickleball Slam 2

In just a month, the new edition of the Pickleball Slam will take place, but this time the teams are a little different. Sharapova and Graf are the new additions to the teams, while Agassi and McEnroe will renew their rivalry in Los Angeles this February 2024.

In a recent video posted by the official Instagram account of the pickleball slam, the 37-year-old tennis star opened up about her anxious feelings as the event neared. She said, “I am slightly anxious about the whole thing. I feel like, I am a rookie going into something I have never experienced before, which is like sometimes good, cause that fearlessness would come out so I don’t have any experience to back on.”

However, while she worries that the other tennis stars who are in the event might be better than her, she is ready to take center stage with all that she has. She added, “But I am also competitive and I wanna win but I know that perhaps others might be better than I am, in the particular sport.”

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Subsequently, she also highlighted how sometimes having no experience can be beneficial, but at the same time, being surrounded by Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, and Steffi Graf is not easy. Nevertheless, a few months ago, her Pickleball Slam partner, the 64-year-old American tennis legend, turned into a motivator as they talked about their chances.

When McEnroe tried to motivate Sharapova

When the news of the Russian tennis player joining the Pickleball Slam came to light, a video of the seven-time Grand Slam champion giving advice to Sharapova surfaced on social media. McEnroe talked about how the five-time Grand Slam champion’s skills will give them an edge.

He said, “I have watched you play tennis, you know I love that, you have got some height. You gonna use your advantage in the area of the kitchen.” Along with that, he also turned into a motivator while talking about the instances in which she has stood strong against Serena Williams on the hard courts.

However, what do you think about Sharapova’s rookie feeling? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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