“Pickleball breaks down cultural barriers”: Andre Agassi says the surging sport is about more than staying active

NEW YORK—Ever since pickleball took the nation by storm, the “pickleball vs. tennis” debate has drawn a line between the court sports. Former world No.1 Andre Agassi, always associated with tennis, believes pickleball fills a deeper need for people.

“If you have your weekend-warrior match in tennis and I give you tickets to Alcaraz-Nadal playing down the street, you’re going to give up playing to watch,” Agassi said at Life Time’s New York City pickleball event on Monday, “but with pickleball, if I say the best are playing down the street, you’d say, 'Well, what about us? What about our game? We want to play.' It’s a real participation-centric activity.

“I love watching pickleball, but only until I get to that point of wanting to go play it.”

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Agassi, along with former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard, and professional pickleball players Kate Fahey, Brooke Buckner, and Ryan Sherry, participated in a two-round exhibition match at Life Time PENN 1, which features seven pickleball courts in the heart of Manhattan.

“This is the only thing where you can take anybody, any age, any race, any background, knee brace, no knee brace, and have a good time,” Sherry said in between matches. “It’s just so social.”

The picklers were joined by former NBA player Kris Humphries and Life Time founder, chairman, and CEO Bahram Akradi.

The New York crowd, replete with Agassi fans and amateur pickleball players alike, roared for every point. A few lucky attendees won Agassi-signed padels and Life Time gift cards.

“I’ve seen pickleball save so many tennis clubs because people come and play,” Agassi said. “This sport translates culture, it breaks down cultural barriers. It’s people, it’s community, anybody can play it.”

While Agassi assures tennis is “the premiere racquet sport,” he also admits there’s “not too many things I can do at this age and get better at.”