Andre Agassi shares his thoughts on whether tennis or pickleball is the tougher sport

Andre Agassi weighs in on pickleball vs tennis debate

Andre Agassi has found himself drawn into the growing debate between pickleball and tennis, with fans from both sides eager to hear his take.

The former world number one made his professional pickleball debut at the 2025 US Open Pickleball Championships, teaming up with Anna Leigh Waters for a win in their opening match.

Agassi also took part in ‘Pickleball Slam’, an exhibition event where he faced off against Andy Roddick. His involvement in both sports has naturally led to questions about how they compare.

He was asked that very question during a recent podcast appearance, providing some thoughtful insight based on his experience.

Andre Agassi says tennis presents a bigger challenge than pickleball

Agassi discussed this topic during an appearance on the ‘The Kitchen Pickleball’ podcast.

“More challenging, more strategic? I find that there is a lot of nuance in pickle, but a lot of patterns too,” he said.

“So if you simply understand patterns, you can… So I think… Tennis, you have pace, depth, you have spin, you have people who can generate or not off of different wings.

“So there’s no real pattern that you can just kind of repeat, it has to be inside that match up.

“So I would say [in tennis] there are more dimensions, from bigger courts, to more grabbing of the ball, to longer levers…”

Tennis is the Everest of racquet sports. And when asked by fellow American John McEnroe about where he ranks pickleball among racquet sports.

A few tennis legends share similar views with Agassi on which sport presents a bigger challenge. Others see pickleball as a game built on strategy and precision over speed and power. Here’s what some big names have had to say about the sport:

What Andy Roddick and Andy Murray have said about pickleball

In a 2025 episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick,’ the former world number one opened up about his view of pickleball.

“On a participatory level, I love pickleball,” said Roddick. “I think it’s brought a ton of joy to a ton of people.

“It’s not for me, yet. I enjoy it; [But] I choose tennis when I get to play.”

Andy Murray, meanwhile, has been more critical. The three-time Grand Slam champion shared his views in 2024, and they were far less enthusiastic.

“I’m really not a fan of pickleball,” he said. “I don’t like pickleball, I know it’s really popular, particularly in the [United] States, but yeah it’s just not for me.

“I don’t like it, I find the noise a bit annoying, I think it’s quite an easy game.

“Look as a game to play, I think it’s fun. It’s a nice way of socializing, with a bit of an active component to it,

Pickleball Slam 2026: Date and details

The 2026 Pickleball Slam is scheduled for April 15 in Hollywood, Florida.

Tennis icons Andre Agassi and James Blake will be up against Eugenie Bouchard, who has transitioned into pickleball, and Anna Leigh Waters.

The match comes with a $1 million prize and will be broadcast live on ESPN.

It’s one to keep an eye on!

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