Agassi-Sampras verbal sparring grabs spotlight
Source: Agencies |
March 16, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
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.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
