US Open Pickleball Championships: Agassi and Waters Team Up

Andre Agassi, tennis legend, and Anna Leigh Waters, a young pickleball star, teamed up as an unlikely duo to compete at the US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples. Their goal was not only to win but also to help popularize pickleball, a sport that’s rapidly gaining traction.

Separated by nearly four decades, the two united through their shared passion for pickleball and a desire to bring new fans into the sport. On April 29, a day before their televised debut at the US Open — and Agassi’s 55th birthday — a press conference was held where the legendary tennis player and the pickleball prodigy shared their vision for the future of the sport.

“Tennis players and pickleball players love to argue about which sport is better,” said 18-year-old Waters, the world’s top-ranked female pickleball player. “But we believe both can coexist. We hope that fans of pickleball, tennis, and fans of Andre and me will watch our match — and maybe even one person who’s never played pickleball will want to give it a try.”

For Agassi, the event marked his first professional pickleball match. He admitted that learning a new sport felt like a rollercoaster. “I feel conflicted: is this fun or is it anxiety?”, he shared. “I’m sure many of my tennis peers are eagerly waiting to see me flop spectacularly.”

Waters, who made her US Open debut at age 11 alongside her grandfather, still finds it hard to believe she’s playing with Agassi. The idea for their partnership began after she saw a video of the tennis legend playing pickleball on YouTube and decided to reach out to him.

“During our first conversation, he talked to me like we had known each other for five years,” Waters recalled. “He made me feel really comfortable. That’s when I first thought this might actually work. I just had to convince him to play with me! My mom and I watched his game on YouTube and said, ‘He’s got it. This is going to be so fun! I can’t wait.’”

Agassi said his decision to join Waters at the US Open was an easy one: “There are some things I do well, and others that make me nervous. But in this case, I can count on the best player on the court to cover for me.”

Agassi, who was ranked third in the world in tennis at age 18, said he was amazed by Waters’ achievements in pickleball. “She’s 18 and has managed to stay far ahead of the competition for a long time, even with everyone trying to catch up… It’s a sign she’s doing an incredible job,” he emphasized.

While a win in the mixed doubles at the US Open would certainly mark a success for the pair, Agassi is hoping for something even more meaningful.

The story of Andre Agassi and Anna Leigh Waters shows that pickleball is a sport for all ages and skill levels — one that brings players together and fosters collaboration between tennis and pickleball instead of rivalry. It draws in new fans and highlights the importance of mentorship, where young athletes learn from seasoned pros who, in return, rediscover motivation and energy.

So whether you’re a fan of tennis, pickleball, or just looking for a new activity, the story of Agassi and Waters might just inspire you to try something new. Maybe now is the perfect time to give pickleball a shot?