Tennis

Star power aids charity event

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published March 22, 2005

TAMPA - Behind a gigantic blue curtain, Andre Agassi waited patiently for his name to be called.

In the stands, thousands of fans stood.

Many cheered, some whistled and several hundred had cameras ready to snap.

Finally, at 8:36 p.m., they got their wish.

Wearing his trademark Nike shoes, black shorts and a white shirt, the 34-year-old star emerged to a thunderous ovation and flashing lights. Agassi, an eight-time major champion and arguably the biggest name in tennis, gets the star treatment wherever he goes, but his showing at Monday's Mercedes-Benz Classic at the St. Pete Times Forum had added significance.

The icon's first appearance at a bay area event since the 1990 Davis Cup final in St. Petersburg helped benefit the Raymond James Courier's Kids Foundation, which sponsors the First Serve program at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center.

"I'm very excited to get out here," Agassi told the crowd. "It's an honor to help."

The event also featured Dade City native Jim Courier, a longtime friend and oncourt rival of Agassi, and Tampa residents/ATP Tour professionals James Blake and Mardy Fish. It drew an announced 10,104 and was expected to raise several hundred thousand dollars for the foundation.

Last year's classic brought in more than $300,000.

"I'm overwhelmed," Courier said. "It was such a quality event. It was better than I could have imagined. It was a great opportunity for Tampa to see Andre."

Earlier, the players appeared at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center to show off their skills and meet with the children the event is intended to help. They played with sponsors, then autographed balls, shirts and rackets for the children before rain cut things a bit short.

"The kids were very excited to see them," said Motez Robinson Jr., an instructor at the center.

Ditto for fans at the Forum.

For more than three hours, the players dazzled the crowd with their skill and displayed a sense of humor, a key ingredient at exhibitions. After one furious exchange during which Courier, a 2005 International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, won a point on Blake with a powerful forehand, the 34-year-old legend leaned against a wall pretending - or so it appeared - to be out of breath. The chair umpire saw this as an opening and announced to the crowd, "Somebody please call 911 for Jim Courier."

After Blake defeated Courier in the opener, each poked fun at the other during postmatch interviews. Blake, 25, mentioned that Courier had "played well" for an older guy and said he had given Courier a "false sense of security" in letting his opponent gain an early lead. Courier followed by insinuating that he allowed Blake to win because he "didn't want to strip the guy of his confidence."

Agassi, who pulled out of an event last week with a sore toe, looked fine Monday night. He defeated Fish in the second singles match, then teamed with Courier to beat Blake and Fish in doubles.

"The biggest winners are the kids," Courier said.

[Last modified March 22, 2005, 01:22:12]