For years, pickleball has been extensively known as the fastest-growing sport in America. Now, it is making its debut on the most important stage.
4 American tennis legends will compete in a made-for-TV occasion Sunday, April 2, on ESPN. The Pickleball Slam will function Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, John McEnroe and Michael Chang going head-to-head for a $1 million grand prize. For one of many first occasions ever, a sport that has beforehand been reserved for small neighborhood and yard courts will likely be broadcast into the houses of tens of millions of viewers throughout the USA.
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The game was invented on Bainbridge Island, Wash., in 1965, but it surely has skyrocketed in recognition lately. In line with Pickleheads.com, participation has grown a whopping 158.6 %, on common, over the previous three years.
Pickleball’s 158.6% improve is so giant that together with the game within the scatter plot visualization beneath renders the remainder of the chart unreadable. https://t.co/3XLwqnKKrm pic.twitter.com/4n2qGNxT23
— Sportico (@Sportico) February 22, 2023
So what can viewers anticipate from the Pickleball Slam? This is every thing it’s worthwhile to know forward of the occasion:
What’s the Pickleball Slam?
Agassi, Roddick, McEnroe and Chang will likely be at Seminole Laborious Rock Lodge and On line casino in Hollywood, Fla., to compete within the occasion. A $1 million money purse will likely be on the road because the 4 retired stars go head-to-head.
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The occasion format will function two groups, with McEnroe and Chang pairing up in opposition to Agassi and Roddick. First, there will likely be two singles matches: Roddick vs. Chang and McEnroe vs. Agassi. Every singles winner will earn one level for his or her workforce. The occasion will conclude with a doubles match, with the victorious workforce receiving two factors. Whoever finishes with essentially the most factors will win the $1 million.
This weekend, ESPN presents #ThePickleballSlam as 4 tennis champs – @AndreAgassi, @MichaelChang89, @JohnMcEnroe & @andyroddick – compete for $1M
📍 Stay from @HardRockHolly
🎙 With @cbfowler & @PatrickMcEnroe on the decision
Sunday | Midday ET | ESPN
Extra: https://t.co/iFEas0xef3 pic.twitter.com/KA1UQOHTNO
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) March 30, 2023
The 4 rivals have 17 Grand Slam singles titles between them. McEnroe is the oldest competitor within the area at 64, adopted by Agassi at 52, Chang at 51 and Roddick at 40.
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Along with the $1 million money purse, every of the 4 gamers will likely be competing for $100,000 in charitable donations. Every participant will begin with $25,000 to donate, however they’ll wager that cash with different gamers all through the occasion. For instance, a participant may wager $10,000 on holding serve earlier than a sport. In the event that they win the wager, their opponent has to pay them $10,000 to donate to their chosen charity.
ESPN has streamed pickleball on-line earlier than and broadcast it on its secondary channel ESPN2, however this marks the primary time will probably be televised nationally on the corporate’s flagship channel. Protection will start at midday ET, with the community’s prime tennis commentary duo of Chris Fowler and Patrick McEnroe on the decision.