US Open: Venus and Alcaraz partner in pickleball exhibition

US Open: Venus and Alcaraz partner in pickleball exhibition

Tennis superstars Venus Williams and Carlos Alcaraz featured in a pickleball exhibition event, organized by Major League Pickleball, before the commencement of the US Open 2023.

Other top tennis players, like Holger Rune, Ons Jabeur, Andrey Rublev, and Tommy Paul also took time out of their busy training schedules to feature in the event. Williams and Alcaraz paired up to play a mixed doubles match against Ons Jabeur and Tommy Paul and dazzled the crowd at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel.

Williams later took to Instagram to share images from the event, including one with Carlos Alcaraz 'strategizing' during their match. She also jokingly posted a poll on her Instagram Story, asking who between her and the Spaniard has the "best backhand."

"Strategizing with my new dubs partner," Venus wrote.

The event utilized tennis players to promote pickleball, a sport that

has grown in popularity in the US in recent years. The sport, often called a mini version of tennis, is played with a perforated and hollow plastic ball and paddles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles format.

Venus will play at the Flushing Meadows for the 24th time in her career as she has received a main draw wildcard at the 2023 US Open.

The veteran American is a two-time champion at the US Open (2000, 2001) and will look to leave her mark in the tournament yet again. She was scheduled to play Paula Badosa in the opening round. However, the Spaniard has now withdrawn from the event and will be replaced by a qualifier or a lucky loser.

The 43-year-old also received a wildcard to play at the US Open last year as well. She competed against Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium in the opening round and eventually lost 6-1, 7-6 (5).