Agassi-Sampras verbal sparring grabs spotlight
Source: Agencies |
March 16, 2010, Tuesday
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AN exchange between Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras during a charity match has captured the attention of the British newspapers and the blogosphere.
Sampras was partnered with Roger Federer and Agassi with Rafael Nadal in a doubles match last Friday during the BNP Paribas Open in California to raise money for earthquake relief in Haiti.
The players were wearing headset mikes so the crowd could hear them talking.
Although most of the banter between the players was light-hearted and entertaining for the crowd of 16,100, Sampras and Agassi appeared to get heated late in the match.
After Sampras and Federer had taken the lead, the American celebrated with a fist bump, prompting Agassi to say: "You always have to get serious, huh Pete?"
Sampras countered: "Okay Andre, I'll joke a little bit. I'm going to imitate you." He then mimicked Agassi's bow-legged shuffle.
In response, Agassi turned his pockets out and said: "I don't have any money. No, wait, I've got a dollar," repeating a criticism that Sampras is a poor tipper.
The back-and-forth continued, Sampras at one point saying: "If that's the way you want to play it," and Agassi responding: "It's better than being a valet driver and you pulling up."
Afterwards, Nadal said he thought Sampras and Agassi were just trying to have fun with the crowd and he didn't sense any real hostility. But Federer said: "There was definitely an awkward moment, a bit of a heated moment.
Sampras was partnered with Roger Federer and Agassi with Rafael Nadal in a doubles match last Friday during the BNP Paribas Open in California to raise money for earthquake relief in Haiti.
The players were wearing headset mikes so the crowd could hear them talking.
Although most of the banter between the players was light-hearted and entertaining for the crowd of 16,100, Sampras and Agassi appeared to get heated late in the match.
After Sampras and Federer had taken the lead, the American celebrated with a fist bump, prompting Agassi to say: "You always have to get serious, huh Pete?"
Sampras countered: "Okay Andre, I'll joke a little bit. I'm going to imitate you." He then mimicked Agassi's bow-legged shuffle.
In response, Agassi turned his pockets out and said: "I don't have any money. No, wait, I've got a dollar," repeating a criticism that Sampras is a poor tipper.
The back-and-forth continued, Sampras at one point saying: "If that's the way you want to play it," and Agassi responding: "It's better than being a valet driver and you pulling up."
Afterwards, Nadal said he thought Sampras and Agassi were just trying to have fun with the crowd and he didn't sense any real hostility. But Federer said: "There was definitely an awkward moment, a bit of a heated moment.
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