"I can admit when I'm wrong": Roddick amends former criticism on pickleball, says 'it's a blast to play'
OtherMonday, 03 April 2023 at 04:00
Former
world No. 1 Andy Roddick has admitted to changing his mind about pickleball and
claimed to love playing it.
Roddick,
along with other American tennis legends Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, and John
McEnroe, will participate in ESPN's Pickleball Slam. The event will feature a
$1 million prize and two singles matches, followed by a final doubles match
that will unite Agassi and McEnroe against Chang and Agassi.
Previously,
Roddick had stated that pickleball has a much smaller learning curve and fewer
movements than tennis. However, the former 2003 US Open champion recently
admitted on Twitter that he had changed his mind about the sport: "I can
admit when I’m wrong. My official amendment is that pickleball is like tennis
with not nearly as much learning curve, movement, spin, or speed. It’s a blast
to play though," Andy Roddick said on Twitter.
The
Pickleball event is an attempt to attract more fans to this sport, which
combines elements of tennis and paddleball, among others, and has gradually
garnered attention from tennis enthusiasts.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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