Top Stars of the Court Put on a Show for 18,000-Plus at MSG

Professional tennis returned to New York City last night as four former world number one-ranked players took to the court at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden for the 2012 BNP Paribas Showdown.

In the opening match of the evening, current world number two-ranked Maria Sharapova of Russia defeated Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, 6-3, 6-4. In the second set, Wozniacki embraced the music being played on the loudspeakers during a changeover and began a dance-off with Sharapova. Each invited a fan from the crowd on to the court with them to show their moves.

"The crowd was great tonight and this was a very fun exhibition match," said Sharapova. "The crowd wants to see personalities, and I think we put on a pretty good show … especially with our dance moves!"

Also during the match, Wozniacki invited her boyfriend, Rory McIlroy, the number one-ranked golfer in the world who was sitting courtside, to the court. In jeans and a sweater, McIlroy showed off a one-handed backhand, and won the lone point he played when Sharapova hit his lob wide.

"This was a great crowd tonight, and I am so proud of Rory for showing off his tennis skills," said Wozniacki. "He got a point off Maria, so I think he had a good tennis debut."

Next up on the Garden court was a battle between world number three-ranked Roger Federer and American Andy Roddick. Roddick prevailed in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6(7). While the level of play was high, it again was the backdrop for the playfulness that abounded. One highlight was early in the first set when some fans yelled, “Let’s go, Rafa!” So Roddick played along by pushing up his sleeves and switching his racket to his left hand. He wound up playing the point right-handed, but grunted with every shot and celebrated winning the point with an exuberant fist pump a la Rafael Nadal.

“To be able to play here where so much history has happened, so many events have happened in every area of entertainment, it was a real special experience for me,” Roddick said.  "I am obviously a huge sports fan and there is so much history here at the mecca of sports. I loved watching all the legends play here… Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller trash-talking with Spike Lee, and so on. This was a great experience to play in this building."

After the match when asked about Andy’s level of play, Federer said “I heard Andy was struggling a little bit, so it’s good see him play so well and hopefully make a run again into the top 10,”

Responded Roddick, "Obviously, I’m in Roger’s head," he said sarcastically. "He has no idea how to play me."

This night was a showcase of the best players in a market hungry for more professional tennis. It’s hard to imagine that many fans among the crowd of 18,079 didn’t go home happy and wanting more.

"I am happy to be in New York City and this was a great night of tennis," added Federer. "I am happy to have played with Andy and am happy at how well he played. I really enjoyed myself out there and I had a great time. It was a tough day at the office for me though as Andy got the victory."

Credit all photos to Kenneth B. Goldberg

Roger Federer during his 5-7, 6-7 loss to American Andy Roddick at Madison Square Garden

Former world number one-ranked Caroline Wozniacki in her match against Maria Sharapova at MSG

Maria Sharapova during her 6-3, 6-4 win over Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer field questions from the media after the 2012 BNP Paribas Showdown

American Andy Roddick during his 7-5, 7-6(7) win over world number three-ranked Roger Federer in New York City

Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova hitting to the MSG crowd of 18,000-plus