Rick Devereux
If you ever get a chance to meet tennis star Andy Roddick, don't tell
him his serve doesn't look that fast. You might regret it.
At the World Team Tennis Smash Hits event at the Bren Events
Center Monday, a fan yelled to the world's No. 2-ranked tennis player
known for his blistering serve that his serves look faster on
television than in real life.
Roddick stopped the exhibition mixed doubles set he was playing
with Tracey Austin against Andre Agassi and Anna Kournikova to talk
with the heckler. Roddick invited the man to try to return a few of
his serves.
After three heaters, Dave Slingsby reached into his pocket and
waved a white handkerchief in surrender.
Such was the light mood surrounding the 12th annual charity event
that raises money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
The standing-room-only crowd of 5,167 was treated to fun, laughter
and, oh yeah, some really great tennis.
"Southern California has always been great for tennis," John said.
"This event started in California 12 years ago and we wanted to bring
it back."
The inaugural Smash Hits was played in Los Angeles in 1993.
"If you look at the tennis champions that have played in this
event," Roddick said, "it's just an honor to be here."
Agassi, Kournikova and Agassi's coach, Darren Cahill, were coached
by tennis legend Billie Jean King. They faced Roddick, two-time U.S.
open champion Tracy Austin and Agassi's former coach ad Roddick's
current instructor, Brad Gilbert. They formed the team coached by
John.
The opening celebrity set of Agassi-Kournikova against
John-Roddick was easygoing, with the professionals not putting forth
too much of an effort. At least not too much of an effort playing
tennis.
Agassi was the clown of the court, telling Kournikova to bend over
and sway more while he served. He was also playing cat-and-mouse wit
the ball girl trying to retrieve a loose ball, letting her get close
and then faking like he was going to pick up the ball.
After Kournikova double faulted on a serve, Agassi coached the
blond Russian on the proper serving technique. Kournikova must have
been too busy laughing to pick up on the instruction, because she
double faulted again.
"I would like to bring this type of atmosphere to the [Association
of Tennis Professionals tour]," Agassi said. "I think this reaches a
new audience and brings enthusiasm to the game."
The seriousness got turned up a notch in the ensuing men's doubles
set, but it only got turned up a little. Agassi-Cahill were forced to
