Second Acts: Tennis Stars Pivoting to Pickleball Stardom

Pickleball’s meteoric rise has caught the attention of sports enthusiasts and professional athletes alike, particularly retired tennis stars. In 2024, over 40 million people in the U.S. picked up a pickleball paddle, and events like the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships drew tens of thousands of fans. Former tennis icons, from Eugenie Bouchard to Sam Querrey, are trading rackets for paddles, drawn by the chance to extend their competitive careers. But their journeys are anything but straightforward, as they navigate a sport that, while similar on the surface, demands entirely different skills.

For tennis stars like Eugenie Bouchard, who reached a career-high No. 5 in the tennis world, the transition to pickleball has been humbling. Known for her swift reflexes on sprawling tennis courts, Bouchard has struggled to adapt to the compact dimensions and rapid-fire pace of pickleball. Her early losses highlight the steep learning curve required, even for world-class athletes. Meanwhile, players like Sam Querrey and Donald Young have also faced challenges in adjusting to pickleball’s unique mechanics, including its emphasis on soft hands and small, precise movements. Despite setbacks, many are embracing the grind, seeing parallels to their early days in tennis.

The tennis-to-pickleball pipeline underscores a cultural shift. Unlike the physically grueling demands of tennis, pickleball offers former pros a less taxing yet still competitive environment. The sport’s inclusivity is also a draw—players of all ages and backgrounds have a shot at the top. Notable names like Jack Sock have found success, blending their tennis skills with pickleball’s distinctive strategy. For others, like Andre Agassi, pickleball represents both a recreational outlet and a potential growth frontier. As the sport continues to expand, blending elements of professionalism and casual play, it provides a compelling stage for athletes eager to extend their legacy.