Andre Agassi set for professional debut in different sport

Andre Agassi is set to make his professional debut in a different sport almost 20 years after his retirement from tennis.

The American landed a total of eight major singles trophies across the 1990s and early 2000s and also clinched an Olympic gold medal in 1996.

Agassi, who spent 101 weeks as the world No.1, won his first major title at Wimbledon in 1992 before he went on to complete the career Grand Slam.

The 54-year-old legend triumphed at the Australian Open four times, the US Open twice and also secured the French Open trophy in 1999.

Agassi, one of the greatest and most loved tennis players of all time, retired 19 years ago in 2006 but is now set for a stunning sporting return.

It has been confirmed that Agassi will make his professional pickleball debut next week – which is a fast growing racket sport invented in the USA.

Agassi is teaming up with top ranked Anna Leigh Waters for the mixed doubles at the US Open Pickleball Championships, being held in Florida.

Pickleball, which should not be confused with the sport of padel, is said to combine certain elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong.

It is played on a badminton-sized court with a tennis net – using paddles and a light plastic ball – with the sport consisting of singles and doubles.

Agassi joked that he will likely weigh Waters down when he makes his professional pickleball debut in the mixed doubles.

‘She’s probably sick of winning so much!’ Agassi told CNBC about the 18-year-old, who is the top-ranked player in the world in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

‘That’s why she called me and asked me to play.’

Meanwhile, Agassi has played down speculation that he could become a professional pickleball player on a full-time basis.

‘If I had the luxury of bandwidth to focus all my energy on just playing and body recovery and all that stuff, that would be a joy,’ he added.

‘But I don’t. I’m in a different season now.’

Agassi was the first man to win all four tennis majors in singles across all three different surfaces – grass, clay and hard courts.

He clinched a total of 60 singles titles on the ATP Tour and also won three Davis Cups with the United States in the 1990s.

Agassi was nicknamed ‘The Punisher’ during his remarkable tennis career, which is a reference to his impressive return of serve.