April 8, 2010
Tennis Greats in A.C.: Some of the game's biggest names play
in Caesars Tennis Classic
By ROBERT DiGIACOMO
This weekend's Caesars Tennis Classic will offer fans a glimpse of the sport's competitive present --- and glorious past.
Top-ranked American Andy Roddick and tour veteran James Blake will be playing, along with 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras and recently retired Russian star Marat Safin.
They will be joined on the court by two of the biggest names from the 1980s: Ivan Lendl, the top-ranked player for four years, and his frequent nemesis, seven-time Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander.
Hosting the exhibition, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at Boardwalk Hall, will be another major star of tennis, Venus Williams.
The proceedings also include a tennis village, which will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Caesars Palladium Ballroom.
For Lendl, the one-set match against fellow Hall of Fame member Wilander marks his first competitive outing since his 1994 retirement.
Since then, the eight-time Grand Slam champion mostly has confined his playing to the golf course because of a severe back injury. Following successful surgery two years ago to repair a torn ligament, however, he has logged more court time, including helping junior players through his Champions Academy training program.
But Lendl, an extremely fit player at this peak who helped usher in the power tennis era, admits he's not sure how his game will stack up.
"I really don't know what will happen because I do not know what to expect of myself, but it's going to be a serious effort," he says.
One thing that's not likely is for Lendl or Wilander --- both known for their baseline play --- to be rushing the net.
"I don't see either one of us playing serve and volley," he says. "I would be very surprised if he doesn't stick to what he knows best. If the opportunity presents itself, I think we will be more willing to attack than before."
In contrast to Lendl, Sampras, who retired in 2002 after winning his fifth U.S. Open crown, has played a series of exhibitions over the past few years.
Last month, the Hall of Famer partnered Roger Federer in the "Hit for Haiti" charity doubles match in Indian Wells, Calif. He also has played exhibitions against Federer and won several titles on the Champions Cup circuit for retired players.
"I still have competitive juices, but not as intense, as the stakes aren't as high," says Sampras who held the top ranking for six years and won seven Wimbledon titles --- both modern era records.
"I enjoy playing and competing in front of crowds even today."
The multigenerational aspect of the Caesars event holds special appeal to Sampras, who will take on Blake.
"It is great to be part of an event where I can see some of the greats that I played against throughout my career, from Ivan and Mats, who were the top players when I first turned pro, and Marat, James and Andy, who where there at the end of my career," he says.
For Roddick, who will play Safin, the exhibition comes amid talk that 2010 could be the year he finally adds a second Grand Slam trophy to his case.
Although Roddick has contested five Grand Slam finals, his lone major title came in 2003, when he won the U.S. Open and finished the year with the top ranking.
"I definitely think this is the best shot I have of getting one of the Slam events, based on the conditions and the competition," he tells The Associated Press.
Whether or not fortune smiles on him with his tennis, Roddick would like to find some luck at the gaming tables this weekend.
"Now, between tennis and blackjack, I just hope to break even," he tells The Associated Press.
Caesars Tennis Classic
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 10
WHERE: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
HOW MUCH: Tickets, priced at $25, $50, $75, $125 and $175, are available at Caesars box office or www.pressofatlanticcity.com/
tickets; Insider Packages, which include a tennis clinic and meet-and-greet, also are available.
WEB SITE: www.caesarstennisclassic.com