Maria Sharapova has shared clips of her first pickleball training session with John McEnroe as they prepare to team up against Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi in the Pickleball Slam 2.

Former World No. 1 Sharapova had a hugely successful career, winning five major titles and becoming just one of ten women to have completed a career Grand Slam. In 2020, the Russian announced her retirement but has stayed interested in sports, sharing clips of her workouts and attending the US Open every year.

Last week, Sharapova announced that she would be joining 64-year-old McEnroe in the Pickleball Slam 2.

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"It's official. I'm playing pickleball, and not just any pickleball. I am playing with John McEnroe against Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi on February 4 in Miami at the Hardrock," she announced on Instagram.

Sharapova begins training for Pickleball Slam 2

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States and has pulled in several former tennis players. It involves hitting a perforated, plastic ball with a racket or paddle.

The inaugural Pickleball Slam was held in April this year, with eight-time Grand Slam champion Agassi teaming up with Andy Roddick to defeat McEnroe and Michael Cheng.

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Since announcing that she was joining the pickleball fray, Sharapova has shared clips of her first lesson with McEnroe on her Instagram stories. In the clips, the 36-year-old also asked the former World No. 1 several questions from fans. She then captioned a clip of McEnroe instructing her at the net "My first pickleball lesson."

Sharapova has stated that she is getting "competitive" in regards to the tournament. In her announcement video, she also admitted to feeling "nervous."

"It's the Pickleball Slam 2, and dare I say I am getting a little competitive, and slightly nervous and anxious. But don't mind me, I can't wait to see you there," she said.

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#TeamMac getting ready for the Pickleball Slam 🥒 🔴 #MariaSharapova #JohnMcEnroe [Maria IG stories]

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