The last time Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi settled their issues on the tennis court, the 2002 US Open title was at stake. Seven years on, in the informal setting of an exhibition event in Macao, Hong Kong, with thousands cheering on both tennis legends, the serve and volley of the elder statesman again managed to win over the once-rebellious baseline aggression of tennis’s wild child.

Sampras defeated Agassi 3-6 6-3 10-8 on Sunday, and junior world No 1 Yuki Bhambri was there to witness it all, apart from being a participant in the action himself.

“There were thousands of people watching us play, and of course, in the presence of Agassi and Sampras, it was very exciting for me, particularly as there were a lot of Indians as well. Both Agassi and Sampras were very warm, both of them trying to get behind each other. It was more of a fun thing, we had microphones with us so everyone could hear what we were saying between points... Everyone was involved,” said Bhambri, speaking to The Indian Express from Macau.

Doubles delight

Bhambri, along with American Ryan Harrison, was one of two juniors to take part in the event, and after a close 45-minute singles match in which Yuki defeated Harrison off a deciding point after tying at 5-5, the Indian paired up with Sampras as they defeated Agassi and Harrison in a doubles match. A special moment, since the 17-year-old had been hoping to be playing alongside the 14-time Grand Slam singles champion in the months leading up to this event.

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