Maria Sharapova, a former world number one, confirmed that she will return to the court in Miami in 2024. While she won’t be playing in the Miami Open, she will pick up a paddle and compete in the second Pickleball Slam in February. John McEnroe and Sharapova will compete together at Pickleball Slam 2 in Miami in February 2024.
Pickleball is a new court sport that is played with paddles rather than rackets on a smaller version of a tennis court. Sharapova and McEnroe will compete against former married pair Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi, two more Grand Slam legends.
Sharapova informed her tens of millions of fans earlier this week that she would be participating in the pickleball craze. Sharapova made the announcement in a video statement shared across multiple social media platforms.
She said: “I’m playing pickleball. And not just any pickleball, I am playing with John McEnroe against Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi. February 4, in Miami, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, it’s the Pickleball Slam 2.”
Sharapova acknowledged that she was experiencing a little nervousness because she had not performed since she retired from the WTA Tour in 2020. Sharapova is willing to accept the challenge, though, and prove that she is still a formidable opponent.
She added: “Dare I say I’m getting a little competitive, and slightly nervous and anxious? But don’t mind me, I can’t wait to see you there, tune in, watch us, support us. Let’s go team… what’s our name?”
Maria Sharapova in 2023
LL Currently the world no., Maria played her last match on the 21st of January 2020 when she lost to world no.21 Donna Vekic 6-3 6-4 in the 1st round of the Australian Open (draw).
At the moment, during this season Sharapova has achieved a composed 0-2 match record.
Maria Sharapova |
| Embed from Getty Images |
