By Everett Fell
Before the superstars of tennis took to the courts of the US Open this week to seek a Grand Slam title, a few big names stopped by the Open Saturday to entertain fans at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day.
The top men’s tennis player in the world, Andre Agassi, headlined a bill that included Russian star Anna Kournikova, American phenom Andy Roddick and many more.
Similar to an all-star extravaganza, Kids’ Day included many activities promoting the sport of tennis. The activities held on the outer courts allowed kids to have fun and showcase their skills. American tennis stars Mary Jo Fernandez and Todd Martin pitched in to teach kids the fundamentals of the game. Kids worked on their accuracy at the American Express Skills Challenge or their overall agility at the Hess Obstacle Course.
After the kids honed their skills on the back courts, they headed to the main court for the stadium show, which kicked off with some of our country’s top young talent playing pick-up games.
A mix of music spiced up the event, as the rock band Smash Mouth got the crowd going with a few chart-topping numbers. R&B star Monica and British pop singer Daniel Bedingfield also performed a few tunes to build up the anticipation for the real stars of the day.
Agassi, Kournikova, Roddick and American tennis pro Chandra Rubin walked out to a standing ovation. The four then faced off in the American Express Skills Challenge, where each player tried to hit as many stationary targets as possible in 30 seconds with forehands. They then had 30 seconds to hit the targets with backhands. The players worked quickly as they racked up dollars for their respective charities. Agassi proved his title as top men’s player in the world by taking first place in the competition and earning $35,000 for the Andre Agassi Charity Foundation.
“I was concentrating on the children,” Agassi said.
Agassi has taken part in every one of the eight Arthur Ashe Kids’ Days.
“I’m honored to pass on the legacy of such a great man as Arthur Ashe,” he said.
The crowd then was treated to a rare exhibition match between Agassi and Roddick, while Kournikova played ref and commentated. Agassi and Roddick displayed their skills with their rackets while jabbing each other with friendly insults.
“You serve like a little girl,” Agassi said to the 20-year-old Roddick. The two joked back and forth, and Roddick sarcastically complemented Agassi’s hair, or lack thereof, on numerous occasions.
Kournikova jumped into the friendly bantering by interrupting the match to pick up her cell and inform the guys that John McEnroe called to let them know they play like a bunch of girls. Agassi bounced back by impersonating Kournikova’s Russian accent while Roddick smoothly asked for Kournikova’s phone number. Roddick’s sense of humor is almost as strong as his blistering serve.
In the end, Agassi racked up 10 points to take the match, but Roddick was hardly upset with his performance. He and the rest of the field competing in the Open know there is plenty of tennis left to be played. Roddick looks forward to the possibility of capturing his first Grand Slam title in front of a terrific tennis crowd.
“There’s something about New York City that brings out the best in me,” Roddick said.
Roddick and Agassi dazzled the packed house at Arthur Ashe Stadium with magnificent tennis and witty sarcasm. Those fortunate enough to attend the event saw a lighter side to the world of professional tennis. And with the 2003 US Open in full gear, laughter has been replaced by intensity as the top tennis players in the world attempt to capture the last Grand Slam of the year.
