Ok Ok, call me a hypocrite. I blogged about how athletes from different eras should not be brought together in a match or even be compared, but when I was offered a ticket to catch the Sampras/Federer match at MSG, I jumped on it. AND it did not disappoint.
First of all, this is the first time I watched tennis at the Garden. My seat was in the 300 levels and it wasn't bad at all. It is comparable to Loge seating at Ashe during the open. So for the usual upper tier box Ashe seat holder like me, this is pretty sweet.
The match was much more entertaining than I expected. The crowd was mostly pro Pete. (of course, we love to root for the underdogs) But when Pete went up 5-2 in the 3rd and deciding set, the crowd turned towards rooting for Roger. Both guys are obviously having fun. But i would imagine if it was Agassi vs Roddick, the players would have a lot more fun with the crowd and crack a lot more jokes. For two guys who had been labeled "boring" by the tennis media, they did their part to get the crowd into it. One point during the match at a critical point, Pete handed the racket to Tiger Wood, who is sitting right behind the baseline. After Tiger touched the racket, Pete won the next point and proceed to do a 'Tiger-esque" fist pumping. Roger stood on the other side of the court laughing. Tiger was obviously guest of Roger's and sat with his wife, along with Roger's parents and his gf Mirka.
Ivan Lendl actually was the guy that put this show together, Johnny and Pat Mac, Billy Jean King, Roy Emerson were all on hand for the festivity. I also spotted Alfred Portale right behind the baseline. Who is manning the Gotham kitchen tonight? :)
I enjoyed the evening and marveled at the level of tennis Pete is still capable of. But at times, I thought maybe Roger is just toying with him, because there was one game, Roger held at love with four Aces. The debate will go on forever, who is the best in their prime. This Sampras Federer saga has gone 3-1 in Federer's favor. They were talking about another one in London. I maintain my position that legends should be left alone and not be compared. But if a match of this magnitude comes to my backyard again, I will be there again :)
First of all, this is the first time I watched tennis at the Garden. My seat was in the 300 levels and it wasn't bad at all. It is comparable to Loge seating at Ashe during the open. So for the usual upper tier box Ashe seat holder like me, this is pretty sweet.
The match was much more entertaining than I expected. The crowd was mostly pro Pete. (of course, we love to root for the underdogs) But when Pete went up 5-2 in the 3rd and deciding set, the crowd turned towards rooting for Roger. Both guys are obviously having fun. But i would imagine if it was Agassi vs Roddick, the players would have a lot more fun with the crowd and crack a lot more jokes. For two guys who had been labeled "boring" by the tennis media, they did their part to get the crowd into it. One point during the match at a critical point, Pete handed the racket to Tiger Wood, who is sitting right behind the baseline. After Tiger touched the racket, Pete won the next point and proceed to do a 'Tiger-esque" fist pumping. Roger stood on the other side of the court laughing. Tiger was obviously guest of Roger's and sat with his wife, along with Roger's parents and his gf Mirka.
Ivan Lendl actually was the guy that put this show together, Johnny and Pat Mac, Billy Jean King, Roy Emerson were all on hand for the festivity. I also spotted Alfred Portale right behind the baseline. Who is manning the Gotham kitchen tonight? :)
I enjoyed the evening and marveled at the level of tennis Pete is still capable of. But at times, I thought maybe Roger is just toying with him, because there was one game, Roger held at love with four Aces. The debate will go on forever, who is the best in their prime. This Sampras Federer saga has gone 3-1 in Federer's favor. They were talking about another one in London. I maintain my position that legends should be left alone and not be compared. But if a match of this magnitude comes to my backyard again, I will be there again :)
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