LA Tennis Challenge: If You Build It

Written by: Staff on 5th March 2013

LA Tennis Challenge: If You Build It |

Last night at the newly renovated Pauley Pavilion – UCLA launched a $140 million dollar stimulus package for its athletic facility, which now boasts an atmosphere comparable to the neighboring Staples Center – some of the world’s best tennis players reminded L.A. tennis fans why we love our sport.

People said fans would not come. People said Los Angeles has too many forms of entertainment, that mere world-class athleticism cannot overcome the apathetic nature of those who prefer a culture of actors and celebrities and red carpets. People said you are going to lose your ass. People were wrong.

They came, rolling out of leased Pruis’ and chrome-rimmed SUVs, wearing faded jeans and dark blazers. They came sporting baseball caps and dark sunglasses and leather belts. They came with openmouthed children attached to their palms. But most importantly, they came with nostalgia and an unquestionable passion for tennis.

After a delayed start – this was the first year after all – Tommy Haas took the court against James Blake. Earlier in the day, both players participated in a Pro-Am where high-paying, heavy-hitting amateurs did battle against the pros. Haas and Blake both broke a sweat as they chased down stray forehands, accommodatingly. Fifteen minutes into the first match, Haas hit a first serve and snapped the net cable. As the white tape descended, the evening’s host, Justin Gimelstob’s lower lip fell with it. With an anxious smile, he grabbed a microphone, walked onto the court, and said to seven- thousand curious fans, “I honestly have no idea what we are going to do right now.” The crowd laughed.

While Bake and Haas clowned around, dragging children onto the court for a hit and giggle, behind the scenes, staff scattered across the campus to locate a replacement net. Thirty minutes later, with audience members holding refilled beer mugs and second servings of stadium-priced pizza, play resumed. “That could have gotten ugly but thankfully, we have a great supportive crowd here,” said William Ellison, one of the event’s producers. The two former top-ten players did not disappoint, ripping forehands with reckless abandon as audience members ooh’d and ahh’d.

Second on, Novak Djokovic and Mardy Fish put on a pro-set full of enough backhand down the line winners that some viewers thought it bore a resemblance to a night at the Laserium. As always, Djoker entertained with post-winner high stepping and a few flexibility displays that makes you wonder if the guy is Gumby’s spawn. Though not going 100%, both players displayed their world-class talent often enough to make L.A. fans shake their heads – and let’s be honest, that’s not easy in a town with Lindsay Lohan and Kim Kardashian.

As the clock pushed toward that left hand pinky/ring finger hour, the world’s number one doubles team – think chest bumping twins – took on two players familiar with excellence, Djokovic, and L.A.’s favorite tennis son, Pete Sampras. Ovations are rare here in the City of Angels, reserved for Kobe’s dunks and Kopitar’s slapshots, but Pistol Pete received a long one. As volleying action approached Jedi levels, at 5-5, the stadium lights went out. For the second time, Gimelstob felt his heart stop. Some members of the crowd commented about this year’s Super Bowl dimming, making one wonder if the airport traffic controlling, bald guy from the movie Airplane is making a comeback. (I know, I stretched for that one!). When play resumed, the Brothers pulled out a victory and L.A. concluded its night of tennis.

Sampras served. Djoko returned. Bros. volleyed. Blake ran. Haas smiled. The crowd roared. All told, the evening’s participants had a great time. Maybe losing the LA Open to Bogota, Columbia wasn’t such a bad thing. Perhaps this LA Tennis Challenge can satiate Angelenos’ appetite for the game. Even in the land of unlimited entertainment, for one night of great tennis, the people came.

Topics: California tennis news, Craig Cignarelli, Justin Gimelstob, LA Tennsi Challenge, Los Angeles tennis news, Mardy Fish, Novak Djokovic, Serbian tennis news, Sports, Tennis News