Michael Phelps to Clash with Future NFL Hall of Famer in Pickleball Showdown

Michael Phelps is the best swimmer of all time, there’s no doubt about that. The swimmer is the most decorated American Olympian, regarded as the king of the Olympics.

Phelps retired in 2016, with an extraordinary medal count of 28 Olympic medals; This is without even counting his other international medals. Notably, apart from being a swimmer, Phelps is involved in some other sports as well.

Recently, Phelps announced that he will be competing in a celebrity pickleball game against Larry Fitzgerald. Not to mention, this will be a series of matches and not just one.

Michael Phelps to try his hand at pickleball now

In a thoroughly exciting piece of news, Michael Phelps will engage in a series of celebrity matches of pickleball with Larry Fitzgerald. Pickleball is a sport quite similar to tennis, but with different features as well. It’s a paddleball sport and combines elements of badminton, table tennis, and tennis as well.

The sport involves 2 or 4 players who use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, much like a wiffle ball, with 26–40 round holes, over a net.

While Phelps is a swimming star, Fitzgerald is an NFL star who will soon feature in the Hall of Fame. Notably, Fitzgerald is considered to be one of the best receivers in the history of the NFL.

The two will play a series of matches at the season kickoff Desert Ridge Open tournament as part of the Professional Pickleball Association Tour. While Phelps is 36 years old, Fitzgerald himself is 38 years old.

Both the athletes have been extremely active after their retirement. And this is yet another proof of how they are so involved with sports.

The match will be held on Friday, January 28th at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa Desert Ridge. According to reports, pickleball has been emerging as one of the fastest-growing sports.

“Don’t ask me that question”: Michael Phelps

With 28 Olympic Medals hanging proudly around his neck, Phelps has made it clear that he is not returning to the Olympic pool. Before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Phelps revealed that he is would rather not answer that question.

“Don’t ask me that question,” said Phelps, laughing.

Post-retirement, Phelps has also revealed that he is working “100” days a year, committing to different projects. The “Baltimore Bullet” has a net worth of $80 million. When it comes to endorsements, he has multiple deals, thanks to his brilliant performances during his competing years.

READ MORE: US Swimmer Caeleb Dressel Admits He Talked to Michael Phelps “More Than His Wife” During Tokyo Olympics 2020