Tennis superstars are becoming the preeminent ambassadors of pickleball.
Tennis icon and multiple-time Grand Slam winner Steffi Graf has followed in the footsteps of husband Andre Agassi, himself a tennis legend, by announcing her own line of pickleball equipment and accessories.
Graf’s pickleball line will be made by JOOLA, who previously signed up Agassi to his own product lineup.
“I’m really excited for this collaboration with JOOLA. Coming from a different sport, I felt like it gave me just a little more margin. The control that I’ve gained with this paddle and kind of the touch added a lot to my game,” Graf said of her partnership with JOOLA.
First in Graf’s line of pickleball equipment is her own paddle, which she jokingly claims is “absolutely” better than Agassi’s.
Graf’s announcement comes just weeks before she and her husband compete at Pickleball Slam 3. The much-anticipated pickleball showcase is set for 16 February at Michelob Arena in Las Vegas. It will see Graf and Agassi take on tennis stars Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard.
Both Graf and Agassi are Pickleball Slam repeaters, with Agassi winning the inaugural edition with Andy Roddick after beating the pair of John McEnroe and Michael Chang. Last year, Graf and Agassi teamed up and beat the duo of McEnroe and Maria Sharapova.
