"Mr. Andre Agassi, you can't run me around" - John McEnroe, Michael Chang and Agassi exchange trash talk ahead of their Pickleball Slam clash
John McEnroe, Andre Agassi and Michael Chang are all gearing up for the upcoming Pickleball Slam, which will take place on Sunday, April 2 at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, in Hollywood, Florida.
McEnroe, Agassi, Chang and Andy Roddick will take part in the event for a $1 million purse. The tournament will have two singles matches, where Roddick will face Chang while McEnroe will be up against Agassi. This will be followed by a doubles fixture -- McEnroe and Chang against Roddick and Agassi.
All four players have been practicing for the tournament, while also taking hilarious digs at their opponents over the past few weeks on social media.
John McEnroe kicked off proceedings, declaring that Andre Agassi won't be able to run him around like he used to on a tennis court since the match will be played on a smaller court this time around.
"And then there was pickleball. Mr. Andre Agassi, you can't run me around like you used to do on the tennis court, and Mr. Andy Roddick, you got to serve underhand. So guess what, Michael Chang and I are coming for you. Let's do it," McEnroe said.
Michael Chang, meanwhile, remarked that the Pickleball Slam gave him an opportunity to avenge his losses to Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick. He also stated lavished praise on his partner John McEnroe, saying that he has the best hands in tennis.
"I've been thinking for years how I can avenge some of these losses, particularly to Andre Agassi and even a couple to Andy Roddick. Now I got my chance, the pickleball Slam, and I get a partner with the best hands in tennis, John McEnroe. Bring it on baby," Chang said.
Michael Chang calls himself and John McEnroe the "Fast and Furious" team
Michael Chang further claimed that himself and John McEnroe could be referred to as the "Fast and Furious" team, joking that the latter was the furious one.
Maybe you can refer to us as the "Fast and Furious" team, I don't know but it could be a pretty good name for us. I don't have to tell you who the furious one would be but it's going to be a lot of fun when we get on court," Chang said.
Agassi responded to the 1989 French Open champion's claims by calling the pair slow and delirious.
"Fast and Furious? More like slow and delirious," the eight-time Grand Slam singles champion said.
McEnroe and Andre Agassi managed to lock horns on four occasions throughout their careers, with the head-to-head tied at 2-2.