"I hated it too at first": Ivan Lendl shares his experience with pickleball

Former world number one Ivan Lendl has opened up about playing pickleball. The newest form in the world of tennis has attracted a lot of attention all over the world, especially among youngsters.

Former world number one Lendl was recently quoted as talking about playing pickleball. The 64-year-old was of the opinion that, at first, he did not like the format, but after playing a couple of times, he changed his mind.

“I am a little too old to play tennis and keep running around too much,” he said. “So I picked doubles and play half the court. I enjoyed it. I hated it too at first and then I played a few times and I changed my mind.”

Lendl, who retired from the sport in 1994 after playing at the highest level for nearly two decades, is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category as he lifted 94 titles, which is the fourth-most in the history. He finished his career with eight Grand Slam titles.

His first major title was the French Open in 1984, where he defeated the former world number one America’s John McEnroe in the final in a five-set thriller with a score of 3–6, 2–6, 6–4, 7–5, 7–5. His last major title was the Australian Open in 199,0 where he got the better of former world number one Sweden’s Stefan Edberg in the final with a score of 4–6, 7–6(7–3), 5–2. After playing at the highest level and getting so much success, Lendl also went on to coach the former world number one Andy Murray as well. Under his coaching, Murray, who is regarded as the greatest British player in history in the singles category, went on to win three Grand Slams, two Olympic gold medals and one ATP Finals event.