Sharapova, McEnroe to Challenge Graf, Agassi in Pickleball Slam 2
Tennis legends Maria Sharapova and John McEnroe will take on arguably the most famous tennis couple Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi in the second rendition of Pickleball Slam set to air on ESPN on Feb. 4, 2024.
While the four competitors hold a total of 42 Grand Slam titles, they will be trading in their tennis skills to play pickleball on an international stage.
The event will take place at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., at 8:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 4. The winning team will win $1 million in prize money.
The first edition of Pickleball Slam occurred back on April 2, where Agassi teamed up with Andy Roddick to beat McEnroe and Michael Chang.
“After Andy and I took home the hardware at the first Pickleball Slam, I said I would be playing pickleball as long as I can walk—that’s how much I enjoy this game,” Agassi said, via a press release. “Naturally, I am so excited to share this experience with one of the best tennis players, my wife.”
“When I watched the inaugural Pickleball Slam in April and stepped onto the court, I was hooked,” Graf chimed in. “Andre and I can’t wait to get back out on the court together to face off against Maria and John.”
Graf held the record for the most Grand Slam titles won by any tennis player in the Open Era with 22 until Serena Williams tied the record after winning Wimbledon in 2016, and then broke the record at the 2017 Australian Open. Her husband since 2001, Agassi, finished his career with eight major titles.
McEnroe, who also serves as a tennis commentator, won seven major titles during his playing career. He’s the oldest competitor out of the bunch at 64 years old. His partner, Sharapova, is the youngest player at age 36. She won five Grand Slam titles before retiring in 2020.