Australian Open to Feature Pickleball with $100,000 Prize Slam in 2025
The Australian Open is set to embrace the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, hosting the inaugural AO Pickleball Slam during the final weekend of the tennis major in January 2025. This groundbreaking event, boasting $100,000 in prize money, will take place on Melbourne Park’s Court Three from January 24–26, transforming the iconic tennis venue into a hub for pickleball enthusiasts.
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball, invented in 1965 by a group of American friends, is a paddle sport blending elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Played on smaller courts with a perforated plastic ball, the sport has seen a meteoric rise in popularity worldwide, praised for its accessibility to players of all ages and skill levels.
“Pickleball is a sport for everyone, and its rapid growth globally highlights its unique ability to connect people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Tom Larner, Tennis Australia’s chief tennis officer. “By bringing pickleball to the AO, we’re embracing the future of racket sports and providing an incredible experience for players and fans alike.”
Pickleball’s Global Expansion
This isn’t pickleball’s first foray into major tennis events. The sport was showcased at the Miami Open in March and demonstrated at the French Open in June, signaling its growing integration into mainstream tournaments. While some tennis fans view this crossover as a strategy to retain advertising funds from shifting entirely to pickleball, the sport continues to chart its own path.
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), based in the United States, announced plans in July to expand its ranking tournaments globally, with events scheduled for Australia, India, Canada, Asia, and Europe. The United Pickleball Association revealed a staggering 52% growth in U.S. participants between 2022 and 2023, affirming pickleball’s position as the fastest-growing sport in the country.
Celebrity Backing
Pickleball’s rise is further fueled by investments from high-profile figures, including NBA legend LeBron James, who co-owns a team in Major League Pickleball. Other notable supporters include former tennis stars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, NFL quarterback Tom Brady, and celebrities like Taylor Swift and George Clooney. Major League Pickleball projects the sport could attract up to 40 million players globally by 2030.
What to Expect
The AO Pickleball Slam will feature an international lineup of players, providing a platform to celebrate the sport’s growing prominence while inviting a new audience to the Australian Open. With its inclusive nature and increasing global appeal, pickleball is poised to captivate both traditional tennis fans and new enthusiasts alike.
