Game, Set, Pickleball for America’s Fastest-Growing Racket Sport as Apex Body Announces Prime Video Deal

When pickleball first came to the fore, it was very much an understudy to tennis. However, right now, the situation is drastically different. The racket sport’s popularity is skyrocketing in America, despite earning the ire of critics left, right, and center. Its popularity is likely to be boosted further owing to a deal that the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) bagged recently.

According to an official PPA announcement, a lucrative deal has been signed with Prime Video. The deal will give Prime Video exclusive worldwide streaming rights to 4 live events each year. It will be inclusive of the 2023-24 PPA Tour World Championship Series as well.

Prime Video’s pickleball coverage will commence from May 18

Sceptics and critics of pickleball never believed that the racket sport could gain as much prominence as tennis. However, the Prime Video deal changes everything. The Acrytech Atlanta Open is the first pickleball tournament that Prime Video will stream. The four-day tournament will be covered in its entirety, making it a must-watch for both budding pickleball players and fans.

Kyle McKenzie and Dave Fleming will host the tournament, and Camryn Irwin and Michelle McMahon will be the play-by-play announcers. Like tennis, pickleball also has four majors, and the Acrytech Atlanta Open will be the first 2023 pickleball major. Teams competing in the tournament stand the chance to earn more ranking points, which will make it all the more competitive and action-packed.

The teams to watch out for consist of Collin and Ben Johns, the current No. 1 in men’s doubles, and Anna Bright and Anna Leigh, the current No. 1 in women’s doubles. Waters and Ben John, the current No. 1 in mixed doubles, will also be worth watching.

Read More: Months Into Splashing Millions of Dollars to Transcend the Sport, Pickleball Finds Unique Place in America as Growing Trends Indicate Fresh Moves

The deal is sure to draw the attention of tennis players who are critical of pickleball

Several tennis players have slammed pickleball in the recent past. Prominent names in the tennis world, such as Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe, have been blatantly critical of the sport. McEnroe has been particularly harsh in his assessment of pickleball, despite playing in the Pickleball Slam.

However, despite all the criticism, some tennis greats have actually gone against the tide and openly expressed their support for the sport. For example, the likes of Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick have shown enthusiasm for pickleball, which is sure to serve as encouragement for pickleball players.

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