Jack Loughridge Shares The Court With Andre Agassi In Celebration of National Pickleball Month

HENDERSON, NV — In a heartwarming display of pickleball’s growing cultural impact, 11-year-old junior phenom Jack Loughridge stepped onto the court with none other than tennis legend Andre Agassi during Life Time’s inaugural “Agassi Open Play Day” at Life Time Green Valley. The event marked a celebratory highlight for National Pickleball Month, uniting generations of athletes and enthusiasts across the country.

Held simultaneously across Life Time’s 775 pickleball courts nationwide, the event welcomed open play for the public in a bid to elevate pickleball’s presence and community reach. At the Green Valley flagship location, however, things felt particularly special—with Agassi himself leading the charge and rallying alongside young talents like Loughridge.

“Got to play and hang out with Mr. Andre Agassi—he’s not only an accomplished athlete, but very generous and super funny too,” Loughridge shared on Instagram. “Always amazed at the connections made through this game with a funny name. Pickle on!”

Loughridge, a rising star on the Junior PPA Tour and a proud JOOLA athlete, represented the youthful future of the sport. His presence alongside a Hall of Fame tennis champion sent a strong message about pickleball’s cross-generational appeal and its potential to unify athletes from all backgrounds.

Star-Studded Lineup Marks A New Chapter For Pickleball

The Green Valley celebration featured a powerhouse lineup of names from sports and entertainment, including Bahram Akradi, founder and CEO of Life Time, Ryan Sherry of the UPA Tour, and James Valentine, guitarist and vocalist of Maroon 5.

Sherry, a pickleball pro and advocate for athlete development, enjoyed a doubles session with Jaden Agassi, Andre’s son and a former USC baseball pitcher who most recently suited up for Team Germany in the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers. Their spirited play added yet another layer to an already dynamic day of festivities.

Agassi & Graf Continue To Champion The Sport

Andre Agassi and his wife, Steffi Graf, have become prominent global ambassadors for pickleball. Most recently, they joined the 2025 JOOLA Pickleball Legends Tour in Vietnam and China, appearing alongside top pros such as Ben Johns, Anna Bright, Tyson McGuffin, and Brooke Buckner to host clinics, exhibitions, and product showcases.

Their support, both domestic and international, has added star power and credibility to a sport whose popularity is growing at an unprecedented rate.

As National Pickleball Month continues to shine a spotlight on the game’s rapid rise, events like the Agassi Open Play Day underscore how pickleball is much more than a passing trend—it’s a movement bringing people together, one paddle at a time.