South Florida pickleballers have chance to play tennis legends

Amateur pickleballers will have an opportunity to compete against four tennis legends in an ESPN live-televised event.

Tennis legends Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick will be competing for a $1 million purse and will also compete against the winners of an amateur pickleball challenge that will take place on March 31 and April 1 at Plantation Central Park.

A total of 96 local amateurs, mostly from South Florida, will compete in the amateur challenge that will feature 96 doubles teams, entering on a first-come, first-in basis, vying for a $10,000 team prize.

The winners of the challenge will also have a chance to compete against two of the tennis-turned-pickleball legends before the inaugural Pickleball Slam televised event on April 2 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Chang, who retired from professional tennis in 2003, holds the distinction of being the youngest man in history to win a singles major, winning the 1989 French Open at 17 years and 109 days old.

He said he took up pickleball a couple of months ago.

“I played a lot with my friends,” Chang said. “I enjoyed it a lot. You find a lot of former tennis players taking up the sport because it is easier on the body, and it doesn’t have the physical demands of playing on the full (tennis) court. You still have to have the touch and feel and the hand-eye coordination that you have in tennis, so the sports aren’t that much different and there isn’t that much of a learning curve. I like both (sports).”

Chang said he is looking forward to the Hard Rock event, where he will team with John McEnroe. The weekend also includes a Saturday night banquet featuring a question-and-answer session with the tennis legends.

“I think it is very cool,” Chang said. “Amateurs always wonder how they would do against a professional athlete, and this gives them that chance to play their hand against a pro.”

Chang, who won 34 titles during his illustrious career and was ranked as high as No. 2 in the world in 1996, also said he is looking forward to teaming with McEnroe, known for his fiery demeanor on the court.

“He’s been my partner and I have found that he plays better when he gets upset,” Chang said, laughing. “I am hoping that he gets upset.

“John is a great ambassador for the sport,” he said. “He has done a lot for the sport both on and off the court with his charity work.”

Jon Venison, owner of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment, was involved in a previous made-for-TV event such as Tiger vs. Phil, a match play golf match between Tiger Woods and Phil Michelson. It was a $9 million winner-take-all event.

Venison ran operations for David Levy, the then Turner Broadcasting president. Levy was one of the creators of “The Match” golf tournament and is the current co-CEO and equity partner in Horizon Sports & Experiences.

Created and produced by Horizon Sports & Experiences and InsideOut Sports & Entertainment, will be televised live exclusively on ESPN at noon April 2, immediately ahead of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.

“Pickleball is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon, experiencing a meteoric rise across genders, age groups, geographies and income levels,” said HS&E Co-CEO David Levy.

“The Slam, a multi-year partnership with the Hard Rock, represents the convergence of culture and sport, giving brands an opportunity to engage with passionate fans and amateur players, as pickleball continues to gain popularity. We look forward to bringing together four of America’s most iconic tennis legends for this groundbreaking competition, which heralds a new milestone for the fastest-growing sport in America.”

Venison, who spent three years on the ATP and ITF tours between 1993 to 1996, called the growth of pickleball in recent years “amazing.”

“The participation started as an old generation (sport) and has led us to where we are today with 5 [million] to 10 million playing the sport,” he said. “The more exposure you get, the better it is for the sport. The train has left the station on it being just an elderly person’s sport. This event will have great names and an iconic venue.”

USA Pickleball, the sport’s governing body, says the average age of American pickleball players is 38.

[ RELATED: Play pickleball? Here are 10 tips to avoid injuries (for starters, don’t run backward!) ]

The Slam marks the start of a five-event partnership. Future Pickleball Slams will be held at various Hard Rock locations. The inaugural Slam will feature two legends’ singles matches pitting Roddick versus Chang, followed by McEnroe versus Agassi in the second match.

The final match of the day will be doubles match with McEnroe and Chang competing against Roddick and Agassi and that match will determine the split of the $1 million purse, which will go to the player’s charity.

“I believe it is important to give back,” said Chang, who will be representing the Chang Family Foundation. “We help people who are homeless and in need and all of us have foundations or give back in some way.”

For information and to register for the Slam Amateur Challenge, visit thepickleballslam.com.