28 August 2011
McEnroe pulls out of 'vintage wood' versus 'hi-tech graphite' duel with Sampras
New York : American tennis legend John McEnroe pulled out of an exhibition match with Pete Sampras at Old School Challenge in New York due to a hamstring injury.
According to the New York Post, McEnroe was still on hand and switched roles --- from player to commentator --- for the Lexington Avenue Armory event on Thursday, and his old-school nemesis Ivan Lendl stepped in to play Sampras.
Sampras played with a '70s wooden tennis racket, while Lendl was armed with the latest equipment.
No longer as famously rail-thin these days, Lendl held his own nonetheless, barely losing the match.
Doubles champs Bob and Mike Bryan also played a match using older rackets against Luke and Murphy Jensen, who used today's technology.