"You are the enemy" - Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf send warning to 'younger brother' Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard ahead of Pickleball Slam 3
Andre Agassi and his wife, fellow tennis legend Steffi Graf, have issued a warning to Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard ahead of Pickleball Slam 3. Agassi and Roddick are set to find themselves on opposite sides of the net after winning the inaugural edition of the event in 2023, triumphing over John McEnroe and Michael Chang.
The highly anticipated third edition of the Pickleball Slam will take place on February 16, 2025, at the Michelob Ultra Arena in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The event, which will be televised on ESPN, features a prize pool of $1 million.
As they gear up for the much-awaited showdown, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf sent a message to Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard, asserting that they would always be family.
"We just want you to know, Andy and Genie, that to us, you’ll always be family," they traded lines.
Agassi described Roddick as his "younger brother," and Graf fondly highlighted the good times they had spent with Bouchard. However, they firmly emphasized that come game day, all bonds would be set aside as they became "enemies" on the court.
"Andy, you’ve been like a younger brother to me," Andre Agassi said.
"And Genie, you spent time down here in Las Vegas with us," Graf continued.
"But on February 16, you are the enemy. Can’t wait to see you," they said.
Andre Agassi and Steffi have earned the right to be confident in their abilities, as the power couple dominated John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova at Pickleball Slam 2, completing a 4-0 sweep to take home the whopping $1 million prize.
"I’m actually more concerned about Steffi Graf" - Andy Roddick on Pickleball Slam 3 showdown with Andre Agassi and German
Andre Agassi has expressed his excitement to revive his partnership with his wife Steffi Graf at Pickleball Slam 3, humorously remarking that he nearly felt pity for Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard since the odds were entirely in his and Graf's favor to defend their title.
"I can’t wait to return with Steffi and defend our title in February at Slam 3. It’s an incredible opportunity to play in my hometown of Las Vegas, where the stakes are high, and the energy is electric. In this city, the odds are always in our favor, and I almost feel a little sorry for Andy and Genie," Agassi said in a statement.
Roddick, however, fired back at Agassi, asserting that he had carried the eight-time Grand Slam champion to the title at the inaugural Pickleball Slam.
"@AndreAgassi has forgotten that I completely carried him to the first @pickleballslam win. He won’t have that luxury this time around," he posted on X.
The former World No. 1 also admitted that he was "more concerned" about facing off against Graf. Nevertheless, Roddick expressed confidence in his and Eugenie Bouchard's ability to defy the odds and emerge victorious.
"For Slam 3, I’m actually more concerned about Steffi—she's a force to be reckoned with! Genie and I are ready to defy the odds. After all, this is Las Vegas, a city that knows a thing or two about unexpected upsets," Roddick said in a statement.
Andy Roddick's partner Bouchard has also shared her enthusiasm for what promises to be an "epic" battle with Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.