From Playing with Pros to Growing the Game, Agassi's Involvement Signals a Bright Future for Pickleball
In a recent episode of the "Bad Calls" podcast, hosts Travis Rettenmaier and Graham D’Amico offered an inside look at their exhilarating experience playing pickleball with tennis icon Andre Agassi. Recorded in St. Petersburg after a memorable trip to Las Vegas, the episode crackled with enthusiasm as the hosts explored Agassi’s surprising immersion in the sport, his upcoming appearance at the US Pickleball Open, and the broader shifts shaping pickleball’s competitive landscape. With Agassi teaming up with rising star Anna Leigh Waters and lending his star power to grow the game, the podcast painted a vivid picture of a sport on the cusp of a new era. This article dives into the key moments from the episode, blending the hosts’ personal anecdotes with sharp analysis of pickleball’s evolving dynamics. (Read Article)
Agassi’s Pickleball Groove
[Soft guitar finger picking and vocal humming]
[Verse 1 - Folk]
In Vegas heat, we took the court,
A legend joined us, what a sport.
Andre Ag-gas-see, with a grin so wide,
Humble as hell, he’s our guide.
From childhood dreams to paddles now,
He’s hooked on this, we don’t know how.
[Chorus - Jazzy]
Oh, Andre, you’re lifting the game,
With every swing, you’re staking your claim.
From tennis throne to pickleball’s rise,
Your heart’s the beat, lighting up our skies.
[Verse 2 - 90’s Rap]
Yo, Ag-gas-see’s here, he’s droppin’ the drive,
With Anna Lee Waters, they’re gonna thrive.
US Open’s callin’, the crowd’s goin’ wild,
Pickleball’s future, it’s their style.
He’s textin’ late, “Yo, how’s my grip?”
A champ turned student, that’s the flip.
[Bridge - Folk]
Through slams and gifts, he’s paving the way,
A debt to repay, every day.
Andre Sports, it’s racket dreams,
Pickleball flows in his bloodstream streams.
[Chorus - Jazzy]
Oh, Andre, you’re lifting the game,
With every swing, you’re staking your claim.
From tennis throne to pickleball’s rise,
Your heart’s the beat, lighting up our skies.
[Verse 3 - 90’s Rap]
Nighttime vibes, he’s hittin’ 5.5s,
Askin’ for pointers, keepin’ it live.
Growin’ the sport, he’s all in the mix,
Pickleball’s king, he’s layin’ the bricks.
[Outro - Folk]
So raise a paddle to Andre’s groove,
A game on fire, we all approve.
With every dink, the love shines through,
Pickleball’s bright, and it’s thanks to you.
[Soft guitar finger picking fades out]
How the Song Was Created
“Agassi’s Pickleball Groove” sprang from the infectious energy of the "Bad Calls" podcast’s 0:34 to 9:14 segment, where Travis Rettenmaier and Graham D’Amico gushed about playing with Andre Agassi and his mission to grow pickleball. The song’s folk-rap-jazzy fusion mirrors the hosts’ mix of reverence, excitement, and playful banter, while channeling a 90’s vibe with a modern twist.
It opens with soft guitar finger picking and humming, a folk nod to the nostalgia of Agassi’s tennis heyday and the hosts’ childhood awe. The first folk verse captures their Vegas encounter, emphasizing Agassi’s humility—keyed off Rettenmaier’s story of advising his idol. The jazzy chorus swings in, celebrating Agassi’s broader impact, its smooth vibe echoing his effortless charisma. Rap verses, steeped in 90’s flair, bring the hype—lines like “droppin’ the drive” and “textin’ late” pull from his aggressive style and late-night zeal, as D’Amico described.
The folk bridge honors Agassi’s charitable push and Agassi Sports Entertainment, grounding the song in his legacy, while the final rap verse and folk outro tie it all together with gratitude and optimism. The blend of genres reflects the segment’s emotional range—from surreal joy to forward-looking hope—making it a toe-tapping tribute to Agassi’s pickleball revolution.
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