"They're literally getting paid to promote this s**t" - Rennae Stubbs explains why she cannot get behind 'the NFT of sports' Pickleball

Rennae Stubbs, who has been outspoken in her objection to pickleball, recently outlined her views on tennis players investing in the new sport.

Pickleball is a new sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. Pickleball has received backing from a number of athletes, including Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Andy Murray and John Isner. Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrgios and Kim Clijsters have all invested in the sport.

She had earlier taken to Twitter to express her feelings about tennis players investing in Pickleball, declaring that she would not invest in a pickleball franchise and would never watch the sport on television. On the latest episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, she elaborated on her reasons for making the Twitter comment.

“Just to let everyone know, I will NOT be investing in a Pickleball franchise & will never turn a tv on to watch Pickleball. I would rather watch pain dry. Why all these tennis players think Pickleball is worth investing in & not the game that made them all the $$$ is beyond me,” wrote Rennae Stubbs on Twitter.

She claimed that she believes tennis players are being paid to promote pickleball and that if they were investing their own money, they could build tennis courts or make charitable donations. She also referred to pickleball as the 'NFT of tennis'.

“I’m like why can’t you put your money or your supposed money, I’m feeling certain all over these tennis players not putting their own money in, they are like literally getting paid to promote this shit and if they’re putting their own money in, it is even worse. The money I think could be invested in kids programs, go into wherever you’re from, go and donate some money, some cash, build a tennis court. What is the cost of tennis court? 10 grand, 15 to 20? That’s probably what these people are paying to be part of the NFT of sports, football,” said Stubbs.

Nick Kyrgios counters Rennae Stubbs' criticism of tennis players' investment in pickleball

Nick Kyrgios in action at the 2022 World Tennis League

Rennae Stubbs' tweet about tennis players investing in pickleball appeared to be a jab at Nick Kyrgios, Naomi Osaka and other players who had acquired stakes in teams that play in the Major League Pickleball (MLP) 2023.

Kyrgios refuted Stubbs' assertion by pointing to the investments made in the sport by LeBron James and Kevin Durant, two of the biggest names in basketball, making the case that they have a superior understanding of what to invest in.

“lol I think LEBRON JAMES & KEVIN DURANT have a bit more of an idea f what to invest in,” Kyrgios replied to Stubbs’ tweet.

Stubbs responded to Nick Kyrgios by referencing Tom Brady and Naomi Osaka's disastrous FTX investments (a cryptocurrency exchange). Naomi Osaka and Tom Brady, among many others, were recently named in a class-action lawsuit as the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

“Also let’s go ask Brady, Naomi etc about FTX. But ok!” Rennae Stubbs wrote.