Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the US, recently reached a new milestone. The fourth Pickleball Slam, a pivotal event for the sport, featured a participant who did not originate from tennis, a first in the event's history.

"I think it means a lot," Waters said. "The Pickleball Slam is a big event. The name includes 'pickleball', so it is exciting to finally have a true, genuine pickleball player participating."

Waters, at 19 years old, is widely recognized as the greatest female player in pickleball's young history. Ben Johns holds a similar position in the men's category. Waters has won 181 gold medals and 39 "triple crowns", meaning she has won singles, doubles, and mixed doubles at the same pickleball tournament. She is currently ranked number one in the world on the PPA Tour in all three categories. In 1/2026, Waters became the first pickleball player to sign a contract with Nike. She gained more recognition among Vietnamese fans after winning two events at the PPA Hanoi Cup early 4.

Waters at the fourth Pickleball Slam, held in Florida, US on 16/4. Photo: USA Pickleball

The Pickleball Slam, broadcast live on ESPN, awards 1 million USD to the winning pair. With its significant prize money and television contract on a reputable sports channel, the event increasingly attracts audiences. Previously, organizers ensured viewership by inviting tennis legends to either compete or invest in the sport.

Grand Slam champions like Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, John McEnroe, Maria Sharapova, Michael Chang, and Andy Roddick have all participated. Waters is the first professional pickleball player to step onto the court without a tennis background.

"It is interesting to see former professional tennis players play pickleball and compete against each other in another sport, similar to tennis but clearly not identical," Waters added. "I think bringing a professional pickleball player into the lineup will make the match more exciting, as the audience will see more subtle details of the sport, instead of just watching excellent tennis players transition to pickleball."

Waters' appearance at the Pickleball Slam signifies the sport's ability to create its own stars and continue its unique development. Tennis and pickleball have not always coexisted peacefully. However, the role of tennis players in events like the Pickleball Slam has helped de-escalate tensions as the pickleball market matures.

Many tennis clubs in the US previously converted tennis courts into pickleball courts. However, over the past few years, both sports have recorded growth in grassroots participation, while tennis still far surpasses the newer sport in terms of viewership.

In 2, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that the number of tennis players in the US increased by 1,6 million in 2025, reaching a record 27,3 million, a 54% increase compared to 2019. Meanwhile, pickleball remains among the fastest-growing sports in the US. According to the Professional Pickleball Association (APP), approximately 48,3 million adults dinked, hit, and volleyed the small plastic ball during 2022-2023.

Agassi, who partnered with Waters at the US Open Pickleball Championships last year, is regarded as a "pickleball evangelist", often speaking about the sport's social and health benefits. The former world number one is investing in pickleball and serves as a brand ambassador for Joola, a company that produces pickleball and table tennis equipment.

"I believe pickleball and tennis once had certain discomforts with each other. It was not hard to see the frustration and competition to some extent, especially in the early stages when pickleball was finding its footing and growing," Agassi said in 3/2026. "Now, I think tennis players are much more confident in tennis's position. They believe tennis is the king of racket sports, and also understand pickleball has its own place in the community. Therefore, the feeling that one sport is taking over the other has diminished."

Former tennis player Agassi at the fourth Pickleball Slam, held in Florida, US on 16/4. Photo: USA Pickleball

Commenting on the tension between tennis and pickleball, Eugenie Bouchard adopted a neutral stance: "Deep down, I am still a tennis player. I love the tradition and history of the sport. But to play good tennis, you must go through a very long and difficult journey. In your first lesson, you almost only pick up balls. The first six months are like that, just picking up balls. And if you do not play with someone of similar skill, neither of you will have fun."

Another notable aspect of this year's Pickleball Slam is the element of direct male-female matchups. This is the first time the event has allowed female athletes to directly compete against men, excluding mixed doubles matches. Waters faced James Blake, Bouchard competed against Andre Agassi, and then Bouchard and Waters played doubles against Blake and Agassi.

"In pickleball, you can see female players duel with men, enter situations requiring quick reflexes near the net and still win points against male opponents," Waters said. "Pickleball is one of the sports where women can play equally with men. I think Genie and I can absolutely keep up with Andre and James. Whereas in some other sports, if men and women compete directly, the match might not be as exciting."

Beyond gender, age difference is not an issue in pickleball. Waters is 19, Bouchard is 32, while Agassi is 55 and Blake is 46. What Agassi finds interesting is the difference in subtlety, novelty, and uniqueness within pickleball.

"I know what to expect on a tennis court; I know where the boundaries are. I will not encounter anything so new that I cannot adapt," Agassi analyzed. "But with pickleball, I do not have that extensive experience, so everything always feels new. Therefore, playing pickleball gives me an adventurous experience."

Bouchard praised Agassi, stating that a major name like his joining and contributing significantly in many aspects is a positive sign for pickleball. In the highest prize money exhibition tournament in history, Agassi and Blake won and took home the 1 million USD last week.

Despite this, Waters remains the central figure. At 19 years old, she is defining her sport and representing pickleball as she competes against former stars from a more famous and traditional sport.

Vy Anh