NEW YORK—Have you ever wondered what Carlos Alcaraz’s pickleball game would look like? A few hundred invited guests at the Lotte Palace Hotel in Midtown Manhattan had a chance to find out from up close on Thursday evening. Alcaraz, along with Taylor Fritz, Caroline Wozniacki, Elena Rybakina and tennis’ most enthusiastic pickleball convert, Andre Agassi, stopped by for quick hit, and a few giggles, with Today Show hosts Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones.
Alcaraz wasn’t exactly dressed for pickleball success: He was wearing a collared shirt and slacks. Presumably, he had other, non-athletic events to attend later. He also didn’t have a chance to warm up, and the well-dressed partygoers, many of whom were well into their second Honey Deuces of the evening, were crowded as close as possible to the court’s lines.