Pickleball craze in China sees tennis legends play in Beijing exhibition match
發佈日期: 2026-04-10 19:41
TVB News
In recent years, pickleball has become increasing popular in China. Top pickleball players, as well as tennis legend Andre Agassi, were in Beijing playing exhibition matches and exchange skills with Chinese players last night.
The exhibition match was held at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, featuring many superstars.
The world's number one pickleball men's doubles player, Ben Johns, was playing against former Wimbledon and US Open winner Andre Agassi.
Also playing was Agassi's wife Steffi Graff, also a former Wimbledon and US Open champion. The tennis legends were comfortable playing pickleball.
Andre Agassi: "We have to unlearn so many things from tennis, so there is a physically outlet, there is a mental challenge."
They also played with local players. Ben Johns praised the quality of local pickleball players: "The potential for them I think is extremely high."
The audience enjoyed the games. A middle school in Beijing brought their pickleball team students to watch.
This spectator said the stars played really well, and the game was full of passion and excitement.
Research indicates that the mainland pickleball market turned over about 1.8 billion yuan last year.
This year, the Asian professional pickleball tour has ten stops, spanning seven Asian cities, with a total prize money exceeding 2 million US dollars.
One stop will be in Hong Kong in October.
