CNN —
Tennis legends Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang will compete later this year to win a $1 million prize – playing pickleball.
The decorated tennis greats will compete in the Inaugural Pickleball Slam to be held April 2 at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, according to promoter Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E).
Agassi, McEnroe, Roddick and Chang have all had successful careers.
Eight-time Grand Slam champion Agassi retired from tennis in 2006, while McEnroe, seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, has become a well-known commentator and pundit.
Former world no won the French Open title.
HS&E Co-CEO David Levy called the Pickleball Slam a “convergence of culture and sport.”
“We’re excited to bring together four of America’s most celebrated tennis legends for this groundbreaking competition that marks a new milestone for America’s fastest-growing sport,” he added.
Like other racquet sports, pickleball is all about getting the ball over the net and preventing your opponent from hitting it back.
It can be played in singles or doubles, indoors or outdoors on a 20 x 44 foot court – about the size of a badminton court – and lasts until a side reaches 11 points, with a two-point cushion.
Pickleball’s popularity has skyrocketed in North America, due in part to the Covid-19 pandemic, as it offers a safe, socially distanced form of exercise.
It had originally found a solid footing in retirement communities, where it was popular for its sociable aspect, moderate exercise and just because it was fun.
However, between 2018 and 2021, pickleball membership in the United States nearly doubled, and the organization estimates that 4.8 million Americans play the sport today.
Correction: A previous version of this article mentioned the wrong year of Michael Chang’s French Open win. This has now been changed.