Tennis player Nick Kyrgios joins superstars Heidi Klum and Eva Longoria in Pickleball investment

Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios has joined the rising record of worldwide celebrities investing in the game that is making large waves in America: Pickleball. 

Model Heidi Klum, actress Eva Longoria and sport superstars LeBron James, Michael Phelps and Patrick Mahomes are amongst an enormous record of huge names and champion athletes who’re splashing the money on Major League Pickleball. 

So what’s all of the fuss about? And what on earth is Pickleball?

After being invented in 1965, the game has burst to prominence once more in the previous couple of years, with parks changing into fully taken over by adults and youngsters enjoying the tennis-like recreation.

Nick Kyrgios, pictured with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi, has change into the newest superstar to speculate in the brand new Major League Pickleball

- Advertisement -

Global celebrity celebrities like Heidi Klum and Eva Longoria are amongst those that are investing in cult new phenomenon, Pickleball

A mix of tennis, badminton and ping pong, Pickleball is performed with paddles and a hole, polymer ball on a courtroom a couple of third of the scale of tennis. 

If it would not sound inherently thrilling to observe, it is as a result of it’s most likely only a slower, smaller model of tennis.

But that hasn’t deterred among the world’s largest celebrities from getting behind the brand new Major League, together with our very personal Kyrgios. 

Players are drafted by groups owned by folks corresponding to James, Tom Brady and tech billioniare Mark Cuban.

Kyrgios invested in the Miami group alongside fellow tennis star Naomi Osaka (the Aussie is managed by Osaka’s administration firm).

He shared a photograph on his social media accounts captioned ‘Let’s Go!’ alongside an image of all the brand new stars investing in the league. 

He is likely to be excited to get in on the bottom ground of a league attracting large public curiosity, however an Aussie tennis legend has been scathing of his investment. 

Nick Kyrgios posted his delight at being a brand new investor in Major League Pickleball on social media on Wednesday morning 

‘Just to let everybody know, I’ll NOT be investing in a Pickleball franchise & won’t ever flip a television on to observe Pickleball,’ Renae Stubbs posted on Twitter.

‘I might moderately watch ache dry. Why all these tennis gamers suppose Pickleball is value investing in and not the sport that made all of them the $$$ is past me.’

As per typical, Kyrgios took the bait, and was having not one of the criticism, citing the actual fact different athletes – among the most recognisable in the world – have been additionally investing in the league.  

‘Lol I believe LeBron James and Kevin Durant have a bit extra of an thought f***ing what to speculate in,’ he retorted, although lacking the purpose Stubbs had made.

Talking on her podcast, the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, the six-time Grand Slam doubles winner mentioned as a lot.

Kyrgios, pictured enjoying on the World Tennis League on December 19, has refuted recommendations by Aussie legend Rennae Stubbs that he must be investing in his personal sport

‘I’m not speaking about basketball gamers investing in f**king pickleball, I’m speaking about tennis gamers investing in pickleball,’ she mentioned.

‘It’s like wait a second you suppose as a result of LeBron and KD (Kevin Durant) invested, then holy s**t we should always all be leaping onboard. 

‘No dude, they acquired play cash, these guys have play cash or anyone with a shit load of cash, far more than LeBron and KD is giving them cash to speculate in a pickleball affiliation,’ mentioned Stubbs. 

The criticism will doubtless not trouble Kyrgios in the slightest. 

The US’ Sports and Fitness Industry Association confirmed pickleball the quickest rising sport, with participation up 39 per cent between 2019 and 2021. 

The sport’s governing physique, USA Pickleball, says there are 4.8 million pickleball gamers in the nation.. 

A wholesome crowd gathered to observe the Men’s Doubles championship match of the 2022 Margaritaville USA Pickleball Nationals Championships at Indian Wells

Pickleball is performed on a courtroom a 3rd the scale of a tennis one, with a hole ball and paddle – like Major League player Dekel Bar, who’s pictured right here

Major League Pickleball CEO, Brian Levine, is clearly assured the event will proceed to develop in stature because of the investment and publicity from folks like Kyrgios.

‘The variety in the backgrounds and experience of our implausible new house owners is an unbelievable asset as we aggressively increase Major League to achieve extra followers than ever,’ he mentioned in an announcement. 

‘We at all times say Pickleball brings folks collectively, and this roster of leaders from throughout all kinds of industries is a powerful testomony to that philosophy.’

Pickleball Australia, which was established in 2020, mentioned associations and enjoying teams Down Under have been ‘effectively linked with the quickly rising Pickleball neighborhood worldwide.’