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Photo Credit: Tony Chang/Chang Photography
(June 29, 2010) American tennis' top two sparring partners will get ready to rumble in Madison Square Garden next February.
Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras transformed the "Hit For Haiti" charity exhibition into their own personal sparring session in dispensing some caustic character shots on the court at Indian Wells last March.
Agassi and Sampras will square off in a best-of-three set exhibition match that headlines the 2011 BNP Paribas Showdown set for Monday, February 28, 2011 at the World's Most Famous Arena, organizers announced today.
"To have the opportunity to play Pete at Madison Square Garden is thrilling," said Agassi. "Playing in front of the New York fans has always been exciting and I’m sure Pete and I will give them something to cheer about."
Hall of Famers John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl will renew their rivalry in an eight-game pro set on the undercard of Agassi vs. Sampras.
The four all-time greats have won a combined 37 Grand Slam Singles titles and 295 ATP Tour events.
The BNP Paribas Showdown is produced by StarGames and MSG Sports. Tickets will officially go on sale September 27 at 10:00 a.m. and can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden box office and all Ticketmaster outlets.
For more information and an opportunity to sign up for pre-sale alerts prior to tickets going on sale, please visit www.tennisshowdown.com.
"When Roger Federer and I played at The Garden a few years ago, it was an electric night," said Sampras. "I expect that it will be that way again when Andre and I play. It should be a lot of fun."
Agassi and Sampras joined Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the March "Hit For Haiti" charity exhibition at Indian Wells in which the feud between the former foes erupted on court.
By now much of the tennis world has seen the replay of the two Grand Slam champions' on-court quarrel.
Sampras imitated Agassis' trademark pigeon-toed shuffle across the court prompting Agassi to retaliate with what he called his own impression of Sampras. Agassi turned his pockets inside out in a reference to the assertion he made in his memoir, "Open", that Sampras was a tight wad who once tipped a Palm Springs valet exactly $1 for pulling his car up at a restaurant.
Sampras smiled at the gesture, but clearly was not amused, saying "You got personal with me." Agassi pressed the issue in pushing his rivals emotional buttons a bit.
"Oh it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt huh?" Agassi said. "It's better than being a valet when you pull up. It's not personal. No everyone knows it already. It ain't personal Pete."
That acrid exchange created a brief bit of tension and an awkward atmosphere when Sampras sent a serve right at Agassi's body.
At that moment, Hit For Haiti, became hit out at the opposition.
"I don't think it was that crazy bad, but it was a bit awkward because you didn't know, was it just fun, was it not fun? What was it, you know?" Federer said after the event.