Agassi and Alcaraz will face McEnroe and Djokovic at US Open Fan Week

Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Twenty-two years ago, Andre Agassi again John McEnroe led the Dream Team to the Davis Cup.

Next Wednesday night, the legends will square off in the dream doubles match of the US Open Fan Week.

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Agassi will partner Roland Garros reigning and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz against McEnroe and the US Open champion Novak Djokovic in the exhibition of double dreams that is part of The US Open Stars the Open schedule for Wednesday, August 21st.

US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster announced the Fan Week program on a Zoom call with about 75 members of the media today.

“I can tell you that Carlos and Novak immediately said ‘yes’ when I went to them and said, ‘Would you like to play in this event,'” Stacey Allaster told the media today. “They are happy to have this opportunity to share Arthur Ashe. The arena with Agassi and Johnny Mac.”

Agassi, McEnroe, Pete Sampras again Jim Courier—four world No. 1 Grand Slam champions—joined forces to form what is widely considered the greatest tennis team in Davis Cup history to capture the 1992 Davis Cup championship. McEnroe, whose marriage to Academy Award-winning actor Tatum O’Neal was ending during the Dream Team Cup run, actually lived with Agassi for a while during the Dream Team days.

Grand Slam king Djokovic and Queens king McEnroe team up against Agassi and Alcaraz in what will be a court match. You can get into the arena for free during Fan Week, but seating for Djokovic/McEnroe vs. Alcaraz/Agassi we will call you.

While Fan Week, which officially opens Sunday night, remains free some events during Fan Week—including Clash of Legends doubles—will require paid tickets. The USTA says that in an effort to make these events “affordable” it is setting ticket prices at $25 to $30.

Wednesday night’s US Open Stars of the Open schedule will also feature the return of the 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro fellow fan favorite and former US Open champion Gabriela Sabatini against the powerful American Grand Slam team la Andy Roddick and Venus Williams. Roddick, who played his entire professional career with Babolat, recently signed an endorsement deal with Wilson, Venus Williams’ longtime racquet sponsor.

Wilson will give away 10,000 free racquets to children during Fan Week, the USTA said today.

There will also be a women’s doubles match where two-time Canadian Open champion Jessica Pegula and other stars will be announced.

Devoted US Open fans will remember the memorable night match at the 2009 US Open where Djokovic called ESPN analyst McEnroe onto the court for a singles match.

What you may not remember is the Serbian star’s presence in the mercurial McEnroe.

Watch Djokovic masterfully mimic Mac, which includes repeatedly pulling up his shirt sleeves before mimicking the signature side-swing served up by the lefty.

McEnroe responded quickly, mimicking how Djokovic likes to hit the ball 25 or more times before serving.

An old tennis adage surrounding McEnroe’s peak—What is the best doubles team in the world? John McEnroe and anyone else—will certainly be tested by Agassi and Alcaraz, partnered with his hero Rafael Nadal, at the recent Paris Olympics. Americans Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek defeated Alcaraz and Nadal in Paris and went on to win the doubles silver medal.