Sharapova returns to the court to play pickelball with McEnore

The Russian accepted the challenge against Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi

Russian former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova has returned to exhibition competitions and has already scheduled her first performance playing pickelball, a new sensation in the United States, for February 4, 2024.

Sharapova made the announcement on social media, informing that she will be present at the exhibition called “Pickelball Slam 2” now in its second edition.

The Russian will be part of “Team Mac” together with former world number 1, John McEnroe. The two will face one of the most successful couples in world tennis, the German Steffi Graf and the American Andre Agassi, who together have 30 Grand Slam singles tournaments under their belt (8 for him and 22 for her). Sharapova alone is a champion of 5 Slams and McEnore of 7.

Pickelball is a sport that has grown a lot in North America, winning over many fans. The sport is similar to tennis, but with a lower net, rackets similar to those used in padel, therefore much smaller than tennis ones, and the balls are made of plastic and full of holes.

The popularity is so high that in 2024 there will be the first professional championship of this sport, competed by teams and some former tennis players have emigrated from this sport, including the American Jack Sock, who retired at the last US Open, and Canadian Eugenie Bouchard, who despite her contract with the pickelball league has not officially retired from tennis.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.