Tennis Legend Wows At The US Open Pickleball and it’s Not Agassi – Lendl Takes Two Golds.

Amazingly, there were two 8 times Grand Slam winning tennis legends playing at this year’s US Open Pickleball Championships.

But you may be forgiven for not noticing Ivan Lendl, who went quietly about his business, compared to the high-profile participation of Andre Agassi.

For this writer, I was disappointed with Agassi’s performance. Let me put some perspective on why.

Agassi is an absolute legend, and I have hugely enjoyed watching his exhibition pickleball matches, but seeing him try to play at the open pro level was a step too far. He looked like a 55-year-old man out of his depth on court, which, of course, is exactly what he is. I didn’t enjoy it, exactly because he is a legend, and that’s how I want to remember him.

Fun exhibitions – yes, playing competitively in his own age group – yes (would love to see that), but struggling against today’s top players at the top of their game – No.

So, enter stage left, Ivan Lendl. I don’t know, but I assume his low profile in the sport is something he wants. My guess is he is in for the love of playing and to get a small taste of competition again.

Lendl played in how own age group category, winning the men’s doubles 65+ and the mixed doubles 65+ and looked great doing it.

Lendl’s participation was more i keeping with the spirit of pickleball, a game we can play at all ages and stay competitive in our age groups into our 70s and 80s.  He looked great because other 65-year-olds play move and cover the court at the same pace as him, but he brings backhands and forehands that still have glimmers of the talent that brought him to all those titles.

I hope Agassi stays passionate about pickleball, I hope he continues to organise fun exhibition matches, but when he gets competitive, I am crossing my fingers he follows lendle’s example and sets his sites on become a great masters champion.

I want to continue to see him as an all-time great playing competitively in the right bracket for his senior years.

Other sports have thriving and lucrative masters’ scenes, Agassi (and Lendl) could be the catalyst for making that happen in Pickleball.