“We don’t play pickleball against each other. We prefer to be on the same side of the court,” Graf tells PEOPLE
These days, married Hall of Fame tennis stars Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi pass up tennis for pickleball, which they play at least three times a week. Their interest in the sport began during the pandemic and has grown rapidly ever since.
“We like that pickleball is a community driven sport, “ Agassi tells PEOPLE Saturday at The Breakers Palm Beach during a “Grand Slam Weekend” to celebrate the iconic resort’s new $12 million, 16-court racquet sports complex, which includes 12 tennis courts, two pickleball courts, and two padel courts.
“People who play pickleball improve their game quickly. While all types of sports lovers are playing, the age keeps getting younger.”
Pickleball, a game where players use paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over a net, offered Graf, 55, and Agassi, 54, a new sport to conquer with fewer chances for injury than tennis.
“Andre still plays tennis, but I don’t much anymore,” Graf, winner of 22 Grand Slam titles during her tennis career, tells PEOPLE of their Las Vegas-based lifestyle. “We really liked learning a new sport during the pandemic and meeting new friends through pickleball.”
Their one rule, though? “We don’t play each other. We prefer to be on the same side of the court.”
In February, the couple won the Pickleball Slam, one of the premier events in pickleball broadcast on ESPN. Now they want more people to play and grow to love the sport as much as they do.
Andre Agassi Adorably Kisses Photo of Wife Steffi Graf in Sweet Tribute at Australian Open
Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi at The Breakers Tennis Ball
Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi at The Breakers Tennis Ball. BFA, COURTESY OF THE BREAKERS PALM BEACH
In fact, Agassi and Graf are headed to Vietnam and China this week to promote pickleball. “We really want to grow the game,” Agassi says. “When we are not traveling we practice pickleball a great deal. Since we both play, it’s fun to do together.”
In their rare relaxation time, Graf and Agassi like to host barbecues at their Las Vegas home with friends and family. In addition to their children Jaden, 23, and Jaz, 21, they have other family members living close.
They also have their own foundations. Graf’s, based in Germany, provides therapeutic care for traumatized and persecuted children and their families. Agassi’s transforms public education for underserved kids. Plus, he is involved with a namesake K-12 public charter school in Las Vegas, and other educational projects.
