their eight game pro set when the effects of an ankle sprain in his warm-up a few hours earlier made him have to retire.  Regardless, the match showcased how well McEnroe (still) can play and not only off the serve, but he hit his groundstrokes much better than the error-prone Lendl, which was probably the major difference from their matches decades ago when Lendl’s powerful groundstrokes dictated baseline points.  McEnroe also had the benefit of a strong serve and seemed more “match-tough” given that he’s played so many senior events and exhibitions over the past decade while Lendl has been resting his back and working on his golf game.

Before the main match between Agassi and Sampras, there was a brief exhibition of “ten and under” tennis on a smaller court with softer balls.  The kids were amazing and the USTA hopes that the smaller court, etc. will make tennis easier and more fun for kids and attract more of them to the game.  Then the “big show” began and as with the McEnroe-Lendl match, Sampras started out serving well and approaching the net off both serves and Agassi was missing some of his returns and groundies, getting broken early.  In the end, Sampras won 6-3, 7-5, but there were good points and the near-sell-out crowd in Madison Square Garden definitely seemed to enjoy the tennis by all four tennis legends.  The event, which replaced the Billie Jean Cup of the past couple years, which featured the top current women, clearly hopes to become an annual event with Lendl, the event promoter, inviting McEnroe back next year to compete in “short shorts” with wood rackets… we will see!  In the end, the event was "win-win" for everyone because tennis fans saw some legends play, while the players themselves had a chance to enjoy the limelight and earn some spare cash as well!

Posted by TC at 04:16 PM |