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I seldom blog about tennis exhibition (unless it's local) but I thought The Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown deserved a mention.
Aaron Kwok was starstrucked! I can't stand his 'thumbs up' gestures LOL!
In the highlight of the event, Sampras defeated Agassi in three sets as the two retired American tennis greats revisited as one of the sport’s greatest rivalries.
This time the Venetian® Macao Tennis Showdown will see the appearance of Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras as well as rising stars Yuki Bhambri and Ryan Harrison.
Returning to Macao for the second time, Pete commented, “I enjoyed my visit to The Venetian® Macao tremendously in 2007 so it was an easy decision to accept the invitation to return to The Venetian Macao and to renew the great rivalry with Andre.”The highly anticipated match-up between Sampras and Agassi will be preceded by a 45-minute timed singles match between two of the finest juniors in world tennis.
The popular Agassi said, “I have followed The Venetian® Macao events featuring Roger, Pete, John, and Bjorn so when the opportunity arose to be part of The Venetian® Macao Tennis Showdown 2009 that would include Pete as well as two of the top juniors in the world, I was excited to join such an illustrious roster of top tennis names.”
Yuki commented, “To play with Andre Agassi or Pete Sampras is of course a dream for any aspiring tennis player. To play with both is simply amazing. To do it in front of 15,000 people is beyond description. To say I am excited, is an understatement.”
His opponent Ryan said, “To travel to Macao to participate in an event featuring two of the greatest American players of all time is a huge privilege and an honour, and extremely motivating to me to train and improve, in the hope that I may one day achieve a few of the things that they have achieved.”
Executive Match Director, Nick Freyer, Senior Vice President, IMG, Head of Tennis, Asia, concluded, “Continuing the fine tradition of world class tennis, with the confirmation that Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras will be coming to Macao in October is an enormous pleasure, and I would like to thank The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel for their continued support in allowing history to be made.”The Showdown will once again feature an online charity auction, which will offer prized personal items from both players and experiences such as the on-court coin toss, with proceeds being divided between the Andre Agassi Foundation, Sampras’ Aces for Charity Program and Make-A-Wish HK/Macau.
“History, I hope, that will bring joy and smiles to the 15,000 people we think will attend, but also to the millions who will be able to watch on television.”
Boy, you gotta keep that cool. Know what makes Rafael Nadal a champion? By being discipline and never toss or throw that racquet. You gotta respect your weapon.
Yesterday, top-seeded James Blake beat Ryan Harrison 6-3, 6-2 to move into the quarterfinals in the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship. In just 50 minutes, Blake eliminates the Texas teenager, who earlier this week won his first-ever tour match. Harrison is only the 11th player since the Open Era began in 1968 to win a main-draw match at 15.
