Andy Roddick sends bold message & matching hand gesture to Andre Agassi ahead of Pickleball Slam 3 meeting ft. Steffi Graf, Eugenie Bouchard
Andy Roddick has sent a bold message and an equally bold hand gesture to Andre Agassi ahead of the all-American pair's upcoming meeting at Pickleball Slam 3. Roddick and Agassi were teammates at the inaugural edition of the pickleball exhibition event, but come Pickleball Slam 3, the American tennis icons will be on opposite sides of the net.
Pickleball Slam 3 is set to be held on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the Michelob ULTRA Arena housed in Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Andre Agassi will team up with tennis legend and wife Steffi Graf for the event, while Andy Roddick will join forces with Eugenie Bouchard.
Recently, the official Instagram handle of Pickleball Slam shared a brief video of Andy Roddick sending a message to Andre Agassi, saying:
"Andre it's going to be great to see you... lose."
The 2003 US Open champion also made a thumbs-down hand gesture, signaling his intent to come out on top in the upcoming pickleball battle between two former ATP World No. 1s. Roddick also playfully stuck his tongue out.
In the inaugural edition of the Pickleball Slam, Agassi and Roddick triumphed over John McEnroe and Michael Chang and took home the $1 million prize purse. Last year, at Pickleball Slam 2, Agassi, Graf, and Jack Sock won against McEnroe, Maria Sharapova, and James Blake.
Earlier this year, Agassi and Graf sent a message to Roddick and Bouchard to give the American-Canadian duo a warning ahead of their Pickleball Slam 3 showdown.
Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf's Pickleball Slam 3 warning for Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard
In a promotional video shot for Pickleball Slam 3, which was shared via Instagram in November, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf acknowledged their strong bond with Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard. However, the power couple warned Roddick and Bouchard that they would turn into "the enemy" during Pickleball Slam 3.
"We just want you to know, Andy and Genie, that to us, you’ll always be family. Andy, you’ve been like a younger brother to me. And Genie, you spent time down here in Las Vegas with us. But on February 16, you are the enemy. Can’t wait to see you," Agassi and Graf said in an exchange.
On paper, Roddick and Bouchard seem to have an advantage over Agassi and Graf owing to the Canadian's experience as a professional pickleball player. Bouchard, a former WTA World No. 5 and the 2014 Wimbledon Championships finalist embarked on her professional pickleball career at the beginning of the year.