Andre Agassi’s Pickleball Pro Debut Ends in Second Round at U.S. Open

Tennis icon Andre Agassi made waves in the pickleball world this week with his professional debut at the 2025 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships — but the run was short-lived. Teaming up with world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters, Agassi made it past the first round before bowing out in a competitive second-round matchup.

From Tennis Royalty to Pickleball Pro

Agassi, a former world No. 1 and eight-time Grand Slam tennis champion, entered the fast-growing world of pickleball in the mixed pro doubles category — a bold move for the 55-year-old, whose athletic reputation spans decades.

He partnered with Anna Leigh Waters, the 18-year-old phenom who turned pro at just 12 and is currently ranked No. 1 in women’s pickleball.

✅ First Match Victory: A Promising Start

The duo started strong on Wednesday in Naples, Florida, defeating young challengers Stevie Petropouleas (13) and Tristan Dussault (16) with a 3-set win:
11-8, 9-11, 11-7

Their coordination and aggressive play style — including a successful use of the advanced “shake and bake” strategy — drew praise from both fans and commentators. It marked Agassi’s official entry into professional pickleball competition.

❌ Second Match Exit: Falling in Round Two

In the Round of 16, Agassi and Waters faced off against Len Yang and Trang Huynh-McClain, a formidable and well-synced pairing. After taking the first game, Agassi and Waters lost momentum and were defeated in three sets:
11-7, 4-11, 7-11

The loss brought an end to Agassi’s debut run, but the crowd and commentators lauded his skill, energy, and chemistry with Waters.

Fans have been buzzing with reactions following Andre Agassi’s professional pickleball debut at the US Open Pickleball Championships. While some expressed disappointment over his second-round exit, many celebrated his venture into the sport and his partnership with Anna Leigh Waters.

🎾 Fan Reactions: A Mix of Admiration and Critique

Supportive Fans:

On Facebook, one fan commented, “Agassi definitely moved great for 55 yrs old. Hope he stays visible in pickleball.”
Another enthusiast shared, “He’s so good… His sense for this game, how quickly he picked it up, was absolutely phenomenal to watch.”

Critical Voices:

On Reddit, a user remarked, “How the mighty have fallen,” reflecting skepticism about Agassi’s transition from tennis to pickleball. Reddit
Another Redditor expressed disappointment, stating, “I am disappointed,” indicating that not all fans were pleased with his performance. Reddit

🌟 Overall Sentiment

Despite the mixed reactions, Agassi’s participation has undeniably brought increased attention to pickleball. His collaboration with the young prodigy Anna Leigh Waters symbolizes a bridging of generations and sports, potentially inspiring more tennis enthusiasts to explore pickleball.

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💬 Praise for Waters and the Pickleball Community

Ahead of the tournament, Agassi expressed admiration for his young partner:

“She’s right up there with the greatest ever in what she does, and the idea of challenging myself to not screw things up for her is daunting.”

Agassi also shared his deep respect for the sport and its community. Though his competitive appearance was brief, his passion for pickleball was clear — a passion shared with his wife, Steffi Graf, a 22-time tennis Grand Slam winner who also enjoys the game recreationally.

Graf, in a recent interview with CNN, remarked on Agassi’s natural feel for the sport:

“His sense for this game, how quickly he picked it up, was phenomenal to watch… He loves the analysis, watching videos, asking questions — just like he did in tennis.”

📈 Pickleball’s Rapid Growth in the U.S.

Once a niche activity, pickleball is now considered the fastest-growing sport in America. According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), an estimated 48.3 million U.S. adults played at least once between 2022 and 2023 — that’s nearly 1 in 5 Americans.

Agassi, who has helped promote the sport internationally, believes its appeal lies in accessibility:

“It’s going to grow like you can’t even imagine… I could absolutely see it in the Olympics.”

🚫 Full-Time Pro? Unlikely

While Agassi’s talent and enthusiasm for pickleball are undeniable, he made it clear he’s not planning a full-time transition to the pro circuit:

“If I had the luxury of bandwidth to focus all my energy on just playing and body recovery, that would be a joy. But I don’t. I’m in a different season now.”