By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Photo credit: Chris Unger/Getty for Netflix Slam
Twenty-two years ago, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe led the Dream Team to the Davis Cup.
Next Wednesday night, the legends will square off in a US Open Fan Week dream doubles showdown.
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Agassi will partner reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz against McEnroe and US Open champion Novak Djokovic in a doubles dream showdown that's part of the US Open Stars of the Open schedule on Wednesday, August 21st.
US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster announced the Fan Week schedule in a Zoom call with about 75 members of the media today.
"I can tell you both Carlos and Novak immediately said ‘yes’ when I went to them and said Would you like to play in this event,” Stacey Allaster told the media today. "They are excited to have this opportunity to share Arthur Ashe Stadium with Agassi and Johnny Mac."
Hall of Famer Agassi, who briefly served as Djokovic's coaching consultant, partnered Tommy Paul in a Cincinnati Open doubles exhibition last weekend.
Agassi, McEnroe, Pete Sampras and Jim Courier—four world No. 1 Grand Slam champions—joined forces creating what is widely regarded as the greatest tennis team in Davis Cup history that captured the 1992 Davis Cup championship. McEnroe, whose marriage to Academy Award-winning actress Tatum O'Neal was dissolving during the Dream Team's quest for the Cup, actually lived with Agassi for a time during the Dream Team days.
Grand Slam King Djokovic and King of Queens McEnroe are joining forces against Agassi and Alcaraz in what will be a stadium match. You can get on the grounds for free during Fan Week, but a seat for Djokovic/McEnroe vs. Alcaraz/Agassi will cost you.
Although Fan Week, which officially opens Sunday night, remains free some specific events staged during fan week—including the Clash of Legends doubles—will require paid tickets. The USTA says in an effort make these events “accessible” it plans ticket prices at $25 to $30.
US Open Fan Week will also feature the return of 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro partnering fan favorite and former US Open champion Gabriela Sabatini vs. a powerful American Grand Slam team of Andy Roddick and Venus Williams. Roddick, who played his entire pro career with Babolat, recently signed an endorsement deal with Wilson, Venus Williams' long-time racquet sponsor.
Wilson will give out 10,000 free racquets to kids during Fan Week, the USTA said today.
There will also be a women's doubles match featuring two-time Canadian Open champion Jessica Pegula and other stars to be announced.
Devoted US Open fans will recall the memorable 2009 US Open night match where Djokovic called ESPN analyst McEnroe out on the court for a spontaneous singles match.
What you may not remember is the Serbian superstar’s spot-on impression of the mercurial McEnroe.
Watch Djokovic masterfully mimic Mac, including repeatedly tugging on his shirt sleeves before imitating the signature rocking sidewinder serve of the left-hander.
McEnroe responded immediately, mimicking Djokovic’s former penchant for bouncing the ball 25 or more times before serving.
An old tennis adage surrounding peak McEnroe—What’s the best doubles team in the world? John McEnroe and anybody else—will surely be put to the test by Agassi and Alcaraz, who partnered his hero Rafael Nadal, at the recent Paris Olympics.
Americans Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek defeated Alcaraz and Nadal in Paris and went on to win the doubles silver medal.