(CNN) — Tennis legends Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang will go head-to-head later this calendar year in pursuit of a $1 million prize — participating in pickleball.
The embellished tennis greats are to contest the Inaugural Pickleball Slam, which will just take put on April 2 at the Tricky Rock Reside at Seminole Challenging Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, according to event organizers Horizon Sports activities & Experiences (HS&E).
Agassi, McEnroe, Roddick and Chang every single boast storied occupations.
Eight time grand slam winner Agassi retired from tennis in 2006, while McEnroe, who is a seven-time grand slam singles winner, has develop into a very well-acknowledged commentator and pundit.
Former globe no.1 Roddick is the final American guy to earn a grand slam — he realized that feat in 2003 — when Chang is the youngest guy to earn a tennis key, soon after bagging the 1980 French Open up title at the age of 17.
David Levy, co-CEO of HS&E referred to as the pickleball slam a “convergence of tradition and activity.”
“We glimpse ahead to bringing alongside one another four of America’s most legendary tennis legends for this groundbreaking competition, which heralds a new milestone for the speediest escalating sport in The us,” he added.
Like with other racket sports, pickleball will involve finding the ball about the net and protecting against your opponent from hitting it back again.
It can be played in singles or doubles, within or outdoors on a 20-foot by 44-foot courtroom — somewhere around the sizing of a badminton courtroom — and lasts right up until just one aspect reaches 11 points, with a two-issue cushion.
Pickleball’s attractiveness has skyrocketed in North The usa, partly driven by the Covid-19 pandemic as it gives a safe and sound, socially distanced sort of work out.
It experienced at first discovered a good base among retirement communities the place it was beloved for its sociable element, reasonable training, and for only currently being pleasurable.
Between 2018 and 2021, having said that, United states Pickleball membership virtually doubled and the business estimates that 4.8 million Us residents now play the activity.
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