Tennis icon Maria Sharapova is set to make her comeback to competitive sports, but not in tennis. The former world No. 1 will participate in the second edition of the Pickleball Slam, a pickleball tournament, partnering with tennis legend John McEnroe. They will face off against the formidable team of Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.
Sharapova shared the exciting news on social media, expressing a mix of anticipation and nerves for her pickleball debut. The tournament is scheduled to take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in South Florida.
Pickleball, a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has been growing in popularity worldwide. In this version of the game, two teams of doubles players face off on a smaller court with a plastic ball and paddles.
The Pickleball Slam is known for its star-studded lineups and substantial cash prizes. Last year, the event featured McEnroe and 1989 French Open winner Michael Chang going head-to-head against Agassi and 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick.
Sharapova’s return to competitive sports has garnered significant attention. Although she is stepping onto a different court, her competitive spirit and star power are expected to make the tournament an exciting spectacle for fans of both tennis and pickleball.
The popularity of pickleball continues to rise, with even former professional tennis players like Eugenie Bouchard recently joining the Professional Pickleball Association tour, which boasts a substantial $20 million prize pool.
Read Latest updates on CrPatiNews
- Which Captain has the Longest Streak of losing tosses in Cricket? Shubman Gill Joins Infamous List with Toss StreakWhich Captain has the Longest Streak of losing tosses in Cricket? Shubman Gill Joins Infamous List with Toss Streak The coin toss in cricket might seem trivial, but for some captains,…
- Most Triple Century In Test Cricket: All Players Who Scored Triple Century in Test CricketRead about which players scored the most in the Triple Century in test cricket and also list down all the players who scored in the triple century.
- Chelsea Ask £25M for Armando Broja Despite His Struggles at the ClubChelsea have set a surprising £25 million asking price for striker Armando Broja, a player who has failed to make a major impact at Stamford Bridge. While the valuation has raised…