Hard Rock Live hosts $1 million pickleball match featuring former tennis champions.
The Ares Pickleball Slam 4 opened on Wednesday night at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. The event featured a “ladies vs. gents” contest with a total purse of $1 million. Anna Leigh Waters, the world’s top-ranked pickleball player, partnered with former tennis star Genie Bouchard to form the women’s team. On the men’s side, the defending champion Andre Agassi returned, alongside former professional James Blake.
The match draw paired Waters and Bouchard against Agassi and Blake on the court. All four athletes competed in four‑ball matches that mixed pickleball and tennis styles, with the format designed to showcase their crossover skills.
Officials announced that the event would be streamed live, allowing fans to watch the games from home. The prize money was distributed according to the final rankings, with the winning pair receiving the largest share.
Organizers confirmed that all players underwent standard health screenings and that no incidents were reported during the tournament. The event concluded without injury, and officials thanked the participants for their sportsmanship.