I guess you didn't grow up watching Sampras play, to end with a sentence like that.

Sampras and Agassi is 100000 times netter than the retarded nadal ANY DAY! You watch tennis or study behavioral psychology??? DuH! If it is tennis, Mr.HellBOY Nadal is nothing compared to those two. it is not their fault that Nadal doesn't have a personality!

haha. you can clearly tell that rafa had no idea what was going on, coz he was just stood there with a big grin on his face completely unconcerned as to what was happening

my favourite moment of the whole thing was federer rambling on about something, and agassi going "who are you talking to? the party in your head sounds fun"

I can vouch for Pete being a class act and pretty calm on court when he played. As for the serve, Agassi was at the baseline and had plenty of time to get out of the way and should have been expecting it. The prior game when when Agassi served he almost hit Fed who was not receiving either but he was in the service box and probably had no idea it was coming. Agassi came up with some lame excuse that I don't remember. He clearly came in with a complex (inferiority that is) and an agenda. Sadly for him, when he had his chances to win more GS and put himself in the GOAT conversation he was taking drugs and trying to be a glamour boy.

You are absolutely right,Cheryl Murray.It's such a shame for a champions like them.They ruined the whole idea, no one will remember this as "Hit for Haiti". It was more like "Hit your rival".I think Aus. Hit for Haiti was much much better, with Djokovic,Roddick,Clijsters and Serena...

Well said d2s. And Cheryl, remind us who should have won the Stefan Edberg award for 2009, thanks.

It takes two to tango and two to make themselves look like complete idiots. I think Agassi AND Sampras are both equally guilty of childish, self-indulgent behavior of the first order. This was a charity event for a worth cause. That was the reason they were out there playing tennis again. Instead, it became a ridiculous game of can you top this?

The one thing it truly did reveal, was just how fortunate we are to have Rafa and Roger as the face of tennis today. Rafa at least was spared from understanding the nonsense that was going on. Sometimes a language barrier can be a blessing in disguise! Roger tried his best to lighten things up and smooth over the awkwardness.

The evening was ultimately a success in raising 1,000,000 dollars for Haiti. But the two class acts who managed to remember why they were there in the first place, both put Agassi and Sampras to shame. I am even willing to say that either Rafa or Roger would deserve a sportsman of the year award over either Sampras or Agassi every time.

chr - I don't disagree with most of what you wrote. But I'm sorry - what happened on that court was not Pete being a class act. Yes, in their day Pete and Andre had good times on court, but what I saw on Friday were a pair of guys with chips on their shoulders about each other. Their rivalry has always been...well....more of an actual rivalry. I don't mind that, to be honest. But a charity event is NOT the place to air your grievances.

gorafago - I think any number of people were more suited. Moya, Isner, Karlovic - all of those guys who win and lose with equal grace all year long. They're the good sportsmen to me. But as I said, the point is moot now.

Good blog post. I was never warmed to Sampras during his entire career but always respected his talent and achievements. With Agassi, I didn't much like him during his "Image is everything" period, but liked him toward the end of his career when it seemed that he had his priorities in order. He seemed like a nice guy at that time, too. Now, I'm not so sure.

From the way he behaved the other night, I think Agassi thrives on attention, and doesn't care how he gets it. Sampras had an opportunity to be a bigger man and laugh off Agassi's insults, but André stirred the pot all evening. It was almost inevitable that he would go too far. André seemed determined to make the event all about him. Even before the awkward moment, I was hoping he'd put a sock in it.

If there is another Hit for Haiti, I'd rather see Roger v. Rafa or Roger and Rafa as a doubles team against two other current players. I think that they can joke and have fun without being nasty toward each other.

Lol, Cheryl. I like your tone of exasperation with both of them. Spot on.
In the larger picture it was very brief, and they both tried to get it back by the end of the match even - so I think it's better to see it as a brief lapse on their parts and allow that there are other better parts of both of them which can still be appreciated.
Agassi has apologized. I hope Sampras will too. Then everyone cam move on...

I don't think ANYONE from Haiti gives a fig what happened on the court between two old rivals. I always think these events are more fun, more relaxed and much more entertaining if Mixed Doubles are played. It is just another layer of interest and Boys are always better behaved when there are Girls around. I think the banter may have been a bit more lively.
Maybe the sponsors were expecting to see thrilling tennis from Sampras/Federer vs Agassi/Nadal ... I think what we got was a bit lame.

I agree with all that said that Rafa and Roger showed much more class than Sampras and Agassi. I don't think that the "tennis" was supposed to be at a level befitting the stature of the players due to the fact that it was played right before a major tourney and the guy who set up the hfh was one of the sponsors of IW. I would think he would not want any possible injuries or setbacks to 2 of his prime attractions at IW. It was strictly a charity event, not a tennis showcase event.....and Agassi and Sampras aired their grievances (as Cheryl pointed out) in the wrong arena.

It would be an awesome idea for any future charity event as such if Rafa and Roger teamed up together in doubles!

Native NY is right. Federer/Nadal is the best rivalry in sports for reasons both on and off the court

i may be quite young compared to some people, but i have learnt over the years that its never good to talk too much. You will eventually say something that you dont want to say or that offends someone. And agassi just wouldnt shut up. how much beer did he driink before the event.. :P

Let's just hope it was beer talking and not crystal meth.

"Maybe Pete and Andre forgot where they were and why they were there. "

I'm thinking you could've just stopped right there, Cheryl.

Even though I think Andre wouldn't stop talking because he was nervous (after all, the other two gentlemen on the court still play four and five hours a day, every day), it does amuse me that at the end of the day, our current champions were the "grownups" of the match.

Oh, well. Lesson learned for the next H2H (which, really, what a success -- one phone call in January made by Roger, and three months later Larry Ellison pulls up with a check for a million dollars for earthquake relief. Who else could pull it off?).

Actually, this HfH earned more than one million. Ellison guaranteed one million dollars but people could still donate to the charity event and they stated that doantions were still coming in. I also heard that Rafa and Roger are donating their tennis racquets to be auctioned for Haiti. There may be even more done come Miami (since there is a large Haitian community there).

"I realize now how very lucky we are right now that our top stars aren?t?well...of the mule variety, let's say."

As others have noted, Sampras was always noted for being a class act on the court (albeit a bit aloof). Agassi less so when he was younger. But the point I really wanted to make was that I've read a few sportswriters here in the states who wanted to see more of this Sampras-Agassi grudge when they were active. I guess it just goes to show you that -- for bad or for good -- many Americans prefer their rivals to hate each other and really go after it. (Just look at Yanks-Red Sox for a touchstone.)

It would be an awesome idea for any future charity event as such if Rafa and Roger teamed up together in doubles!

I agree, FFT. Pit them on one side of the net, the Bryan Bros. on the other (both lefty-righty combos) and that could be a lot of fun!

f4t, I understand that there will be a Hit for Chile in Miami which has been organised by Gonzo.

Rafa and Roger any day!!

'f4t, I understand that there will be a Hit for Chile in Miami which has been organised by Gonzo.'

carrie, has there been confirmation? Are they going to do it for sure? I know Feña and Roger have known each other since juniors and are good friends.

"Rafa and Roger any day!!"
Here's to it. May they both play as long as they want.

I hope that is true carrie. No one should forget the devastation in Chile either. There may not have been as many deaths as in Haiti but there are still millions without homes now. I had heard Gonzo talking about putting something together and that he was going to ask Rafa to help. Hope it comes to fruition!

Federer and Nadal would play for Chile

tweetsretweet
Federer and Nadal would play for Chile

MOMENTO24.COM - Chilean tennis player Fernando González is making efforts to play against Spanish Rafael Nadal and Switzerland Roger Federer to raise funds in benefit of Chile earthquake victims.Gonzalez made contact with both players, as published by the Chilean newspaper El Mercurio. In addition, the athlete is heading a campaign to help those affected by Chile?s earthquake measuring a magnitude of 8.8 º?
toptennisfeed





http://tweetmeme.com/story/675007287/fede rer-and-nadal-would-play-for-chile-momento-24


Perhaps this time they should have Roger/Rafa vs Gonzo/Blake, to whip up the fireworks from their tiff at the Olympics. (fireworks between Gonzo & Blake I mean) I don't want any misunderstanding.

Thanks carrie for that article about it. Personally, I woudl like to see Rafa, Fed, Nole and Murray play, since the bigger names tend to draw better donations. I really don't want any player reviving some old tiff during it as we all saw how that turned out at the recent H4H. Rafa and fed doubling as a team would still be awesome in my book. Against anyone!

I think Gonzo is definitely going to be one of the 4.

Well, I'm sure he is since he is the one setting it up. The four I named was for any charity event, since the bigger names draw more money. I like Gonzo and I wasn't surprised that he said he would ask Rafa.

He would ask Roger too, fan4tennis. They've known each other since juniors.

And Rafa put a lovely message on his Facebook page supporting Gonz and the Chilean people; I don't think it was 24 hours after news of the quake broke.

Pete and Andre were pretty good sportsmen ?compared to McEnroe.

Both men have had their share of ugly moments with umpires, judges and rivals the likes of which Roger and Rafa wouldn't even consider.

Now a days, compared to Roger and Rafa they look rude and childish by a large
margin. Cheryl, your post is right on! Although I believe Rafa was quite aware
but chose not to add fuel to the fire and simply focus on entertaining with his
play instead of joining in the banter.

I'm not sure I agree that Rafa was aware of the under-currents, but i think it's safe to say that if he HAD been, he certainly wouldn't have gotten involved in the tiff.

You know, I just re-watched it. Andre DID make a bad joke, but Pete is the one that made it awkward. Fed was brilliant though, have to hand it to him.

I'd like to see del Potro somewhere in that hit for Chile if he's healthy. In Miami he's hugely popular as well as Nadal and Gonzo so add Fed and that would be great. It wouldn't be fair to put Fed and Nadal on the same team though.

Good write up.

I grew up watching Sampras and Agassi and their behaviour at the H2H was appalling. Two grown men who ought to know better but can't get past their petty resentments of each other. Pathetic.

Cheryl is absolutely right to say Rafa/Roger anyday. You get the feeling that no matter transpires in the future with these two, there will always be a healthy respect and admiration of the other. And that's class right there.

guys when is the hit for chilli?? can someone given me details regarding the date,venue and the players taking part..thnx

I actually think Andre started the bad vibes with the bald joke. I happen to agree with him (just stop trying to cover it up - it looks worse), but you don't publicly call out a guy on baldness when he's so intent on pretending he has hair that he's undergone hair plug surgery. That's a big no-no. Might as well have called him out on dick size. Pete tried to shrug it off, but Andre continued with the "it's no secret, everyone knows."

Agassi loves the whole screw up/apologize cycle. Look at what his book does - admit mistakes and then he goes on a PR spree apologizing and saying he's grown up. Problem is, he hasn't. He still wants attention - any kind will do. His "apologies" after the H4H were so lame. He said his joke went too far and then blamed Pete for not letting go. So, it's still Pete's fault. (And it's not exactly like I'm a huge fan of Pete either.)

I was at the event and didn't watch it on TV until it was recently re-aired. I have to say, the tension didn't seem as bad there. Perhaps its the close-up nature of TV, but it certainly felt more palpable on TV...or perhaps it's because I knew what was coming.

How about a good word for the current American top guys? Roddick, Blake, Fish, Isner, Querry? All good citizens who maintain great relationships with one another. Isner and Querry could be bitter rivals. Instead they're best buddies on tour and play doubles together.

Rafa may not have had a clue about the tension between Pete and Andre but he knew why he was there: to help Haiti. When the commentator asked him about his music video he refused to take the opportunity to promote it - who DOES that? - and made a little speech about Haiti's needs.

I cannot imagine either Roger or Rafa aiming a hard hit tennis ball at anyone no matter the provocation. They apologize if it happens during the course of a match.

Andre's done good work with his school by all accounts and I think his commitment there is genuine. Most people are a mixed bag, neither saints nor sinners.

The behaviour on the court that night seperates the men from the boys. Not a place nor time to air dirty laundry. Congrats to Rafa and The Fed, true Champs on and off the court.

If they do get a Hit for Chili I would love to see Rafa and The Fed play doubles but on the same side of the court.

shows the intensity of a rivalry that lasted so long and made complex by some of the things that happened between sampras and agassi from the time they were at the top. it will go on. sampras will never forgive agassi for some of his unprovoked taunts and agassi will always be agassi with his issues with sampras. they are both so different that even if they crossed paths in a different situation, their personalities would still have clashed. a pity that they let it get out of hand in the wrong place and also unfair to rafa and fed.

ramara: thank you for that thoughtful post. and how true is that last line of yours.

If anybody is interested, the hit for Chile is scheduled for Saturday after the women's final and is set to feature Gonzo, Roddick, Guga and Courier; not sure who the patrners would be but I'd guess Americans vs. Latin Americans.

nadal also made a reference to a hit for chile in his 2nd rnd presser, may b they are gona have another hit for chile later ....not sure tho

and thnx for the info chr18

This is what my take on what happend during the match (somebody may have already written what I am writing because I did not read all comments). Sampras was cool in imitating Agassi, it was Agassi who was not cool in raising the tip thing and upping the anty until Sampras got heated up. Once Sampras reached to certain level he participated. What my take is by looking at their arguments both may look like children arguing with each other but it was Agassi who was a total fool to bring personal things on to the court. Agassi forced Sampras to behave howver he did.

Roger is the GREAT MAN. Roger is true class. He is the greatest. LOVE.

Roger and Sampras's combinations are wonderful.