Americans James Blake, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Andy Roddick, as well as Belgium’s Kim Clijsters, both competed against one another and joined forces on Tuesday night at the US Open, helping kick off Fan Week with style, jokes and plenty of fun.
The exhibition matches took place under a closed-roof Louis Armstrong Stadium as a precaution against on-and-off showers that had plagued the day. But the stadium was cool and the setting sun a gorgeous swirl of orange and pink by 7 p.m., when tennis freestyler Stefan Bojic began performing tricks with racquets and tennis balls.
Chair umpire Paul Ugo Arinze – who works as a pastor when not presiding over matches – took his spot before the greats hustled onto the court. Altogether, the four players had earned seven US Open titles: Clijsters (women’s singles, 2005, 2009, 2010); Mattek-Sands (women's doubles, 2016; mixed doubles, 2018 and 2019); and Roddick (men’s singles, 2003).
It was Blake and Mattek-Sands against Clijsters and Roddick, with the women playing their singles set first. The match started slightly loose, with Clijsters and Mattek-Sands exchanging games and calling for a number of reviews from the electronic line-calling systen as Blake and Roddick traded comments.
“They’re both doing incredible,” Blake said during a break, as Roddick fanned Clijsters with a towel. “They’re making it so that maybe Andy and I shouldn’t even play. Because they’re making it look easy, Andy and I will make it look very difficult … They’re going to make us look bad. We’re going to do a good job of making ourselves look bad, but – the fact is, that they’re still this good.”
The Belgian took the upper hand at 4-2, but couldn’t hold onto the lead. Blake substituted for Mattek-Sands for a game – and won, making it 4-3. Mattek-Sands eventually sealed the deal at 6-4.
“Night matches in New York are my favorite kind of matches, seriously,” the American doubles specialist said after her win. “The energy here over the years – it’s amazing, it’s great to see everyone back here, back for the tennis.”
Clijsters and Mattek-Sands last played against each other in a WTA match in 2010.
Blake and Roddick also provided a high level of intensity, perhaps owing to the players’ shared history: Roddick won 9 of their past 12 professional encounters.
Even though the 2003 US Open champion hit blazing serves that measured 126 mph, he struggled against his compatriot. It wasn’t enough to win the set: Blake came out on top, 6-4.
“James, we didn’t all just lose weight after we retired,” Roddick said at one point, earning laughs from his fellow players and fans in attendance. “Why don’t we just calm down?”
Blake emphasized the importance and longevity of his friendship with Roddick, but cracked jokes as fast as serves – and not just at his opponent.
“She didn’t get me those tights in time, otherwise I would have worn those,” Blake said, referring to Mattek-Sands’ stylish haircut and outfit.
“They were ordered, [but] it was the wrong size,” Mattek-Sands laughed. “So next time we’ll have matching leggings.”
In the night’s final set, Blake and Mattek-Sands defeated Clisjters and Roddick in mixed doubles, 6-2, capping off a spirited evening and a successful first day of Fan Week.
Fan Week continues Wednesday with Tennis Plays for Peace, an event featuring Rafael Nadal, Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, Leylah Fernandez, Iga Swiatek, John McEnroe and more that will raise funds for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
