KUALA LUMPUR - Former Olympic gold medallist Andre Agassi says pickleball, a sport rapidly growing in popularity worldwide, has the potential to be featured in future Olympic Games.
The tennis legend, who has also taken up the pickleball following his retirement from tennis, believes the game’s increasing global appeal and accessibility make it a strong candidate for inclusion in the world’s most prestigious multi-sport event.
"That would be an incredible thing to see. I think we are starting to see it and everybody here knows a lot more about where it stands in nuance and its progression.
"We’ve obviously seen it professionally, and we’ve seen it in exhibitions. We’ve seen it grow across the world in many countries, and the room for growth is remarkable,” he said in conjunction with the Joola Titans Tour 2026 featuring top pickelball players Ben Johns, at Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara here today.
The former eight-time Grand Slam champion added that the sport is also gaining strong momentum even in the Southeast Asian region, further strengthening its case as a global sport.
"Every country has the right, when they host the Olympics, to add a sport. We’ve seen that before, such as breakdancing at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
"I do believe it’s a realistic and achievable goal, and I think it rightfully has its place,” he added. - BERNAMA