Mar 10, 2008
Madison Sq Garden, NYC
The Netjets showdown helped me realize the dream of seeing Sampras play live and they completed the fairy tale by choosing Roger Federer to be the opponent. The players, a decade apart, enchanted the 19000 New Yorkers and made them relive the magical moments of tennis history. 7 years after the Swiss had denied Pete's claim on his fave Wimbledon title, they were amusing themselves and the audience around the world. For me, it was the perfect clash and howsoever artifical the match may had been accused of, the sheer delight of seeing Sampras' serve his legendary aces and serve & volley games was worth every penny and every moment spent. Its cliched to say he has still got it and people love him. He sparked wonders on the audience, something he failed to do during his professional career. He has the ability to defeat many players in top 10 even today, his only ache might lie in 5 setters and busy tours that pofessionals need to do. His age might be failing him but his talent does not. He may not be as fast on court as ever but his magic remains. The Fed showing due respect to the record holder kept the match alive. His body serves and swift moves awed the audience who kept on cheering Sampras with 'Lets go Pete' roars during the match. No one returned blase that night including me. It was a memorable night and once in a life-time experience to be part of the audience who was the ultimate winner in the thumping music and famous faces filled arena. It was a night of ardor for the game, reverance for Pete, love for Federer and being a part of New York.
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