Former WTA World No 1 Kim Clijsters has got down to get in on the bottom ground of the sporting sensation set to grip America alongside NFL icon Tom Brady.
The four-time Grand Slam singles champion will be part of the famed NFL quarterback within the possession group of an growth staff within the Main League Pickleball event.
Since hanging up her racket, Clijsters has taken up pickleball and says that she performs often with Wall Avenue bond saleswoman Callie Simpkins and monetary advisor Kaitlyn Kerr.
The ladies be part of her and Brady as a part of the yet-to-be-named staff’s possession group.
Early indications are that Kerr will function the staff’s basic supervisor when the staff joins the thrilling new league subsequent yr.
“In fact, I’m excited on the funding alternative,” Clijsters stated in an announcement.
“However what excites me essentially the most about turning into an MLP proprietor is that I get to assist form the way forward for pickleball, a sport I’ve come to like, with nice individuals – who additionally occur to be a few of my finest mates. I’m thrilled to assist showcase skilled pickleball and make an impression on the game by my expertise gained within the prime ranges {of professional} tennis.”
Main League Pickleball has an formidable progress plan, which incorporates 4 new groups and rising the variety of occasions to 6.
Alongside boosting the league to a 16-team occasion, the prize cash can also be anticipated to achieve upwards of $2 million.
With the numerous funding from Clijsters, Simpkins and Kerr, the brand new staff might be 50% female-owned, a testomony to the league’s foundational mission of gender equality.
Different staff homeowners and companions within the league embody NBA gamers LeBron James, Draymond Inexperienced and Kevin Love, Tremendous Bowl champion Drew Brees, and former ATP World No.4 James Blake. MLP had occasions in Austin, Texas; Newport Seashore, California and Columbus, Ohio, on its 2022 schedule.
Later this week, the 12 groups and 48 gamers will arrive in Columbus for the season finale, the place the profitable staff will take house a $100,000 prize.
Pickleball was invented all the best way again in 1965 however has boomed lately thanks partly to the results of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Performed with paddles as an alternative of full-size tennis rackets, pickleball counted greater than 4.8 million gamers in the US final yr, in response to the 2022 Sports activities & Health Business Affiliation Single Sport Report on the game.
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