Anna Leigh Waters/Andrei Agassi’s run at the US Open ended on Wednesday in the Round of 16.

After beating 13-year-old Stevie Petropouleas and 16-year-old Tristan Dussault 11-8, 9-11, 11-7 in their opening match, they fell to Trang Huynh-McClain/Len Yang by an 11-7, 4-11, 7-11 score line in the Round of 16.

Agassi—rated a 5.4 on DUPR—played more like a 4.5 next to Waters, who is only eligible to compete in the event as a UPA-signed player due a contract carve out negotiated during the ‘Tour Wars’ of 2023.

Even though the pairing didn’t go far, this partnership is a huge win for pickleball.

Agassi is an eight-time Grand Slam champion tennis player who has become a huge advocate for the sport.

He released his own paddle with JOOLA in January and also visited Vietnam and China in late March with the JOOLA Pickleball Legends Tour.

His partnership with Waters—who is arguably the most recognizable player in pickleball—only solidifies his commitment to growing the game, which is something that everyone can appreciate.

We don’t know when Agassi will take the court in a professional capacity again, but Waters will next be in action at the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships, which will run from May 12-18.

She’ll compete in women’s singles, women’s doubles with Anna Bright (for the first time since 2023), and mixed doubles with Ben Johns.