"To me, your hard courts was your best surface": Trash talk begins for John McEnroe ahead of Maria Sharapova pickleball showdown
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John
McEnroe and Maria Sharapova will team up to face the duo of Andre Agassi and
Steffi Graf in a new pickleball exhibition on February 4, 2024.
The
emergence of pickleball has attracted several former stars of the tennis world.
Both John McEnroe and Andre Agassi previously participated in an exhibition in
Las Vegas alongside Michael Chang and Andy Roddick, but this time they're
aiming for mixed doubles.
Agassi will
team up with his wife and 23-times Grand Slam champion Steffi Graf, while
McEnroe will partner with former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova. Sharapova sent a
message to her fans to promote the event.
“I’m playing pickleball. Not just any pickleball, I am playing with John McEnroe against Steffi
Graf and Andre Agassi. Dare I say I’m getting a little competitive. Slightly
nervous and anxious," she said previously in a video on her X handle.
The
Instagram account Pickleball Slam took advantage of the situation to share a
video of a conversation between Sharapova and McEnroe in the form of an
interview. In the video, McEnroe directly asks Sharapova about her motivation
to compete for the $1 million prize.
McEnroe
mentioned that Sharapova probably would prefer playing on hard courts, although
he recalled that the Russian had no trouble on grass when she defeated Serena
Williams in the final of the 2004 Wimbledon. She secured her first Grand Slam title
at just 17 years old.
"I
think we could potentially arrange to have it on clay if you want. But I think
you're pretty good on the... To me, your hard courts was your best surface,
although I did see you beat Serena on the grass. So I like our chances, though.
You've just got to get sort of better and more motivated. Are you
motivated?" McEnroe asked rhetorically to which Sharapova replied in the
affirmative.
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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