Tennis titans take court to enthrall Indian Wells crowd

It was a dreamy Saturday night at Indian Wells as two former tennis icons picked up the racquet to take on a current legend in a unique exhibition Legends match.

Three former world number ones were on the same courtasPete SamprasandJohn McEnroewere up againstNovak Djokovic and tournament director Tommy Haas.

The match was played after the second-seeded Rafael Nadal retired from the tournament because of a knee injury ahead of hismuch-anticipatedsemi-finalclashagainst Roger Federer. The three Legends and Haas returned to the court to enthrall the crowd in order to fill the emptysemi-final slot.

As the tournament director, Haastook the decision to offer entertainment for the dejected spectators whose hopes of watching the Nadal-Federer spectacle got shattered. He was joined bySampras, McEnroe and Djokovic in a special doubles match toplay for the fanspresentat the stadium.

(Left to right) Lovitz, Haas, Djokovic, Sampras and McEnroe pose for a group photo before their exhibition match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. /VCG Photo

McEnroe teamedup with Haasto underline his invincibility in doubles as the duo outclassedDjokovic and his childhood idol Sampras 4-3 (7-4).

Comedian Jon Lovitzperformed the duty of theumpireduring the clash of the tennis titans.

Djokoviclater said,“Thank you guys. It's a thrill to be with these Legends on the court and of course to share the same side with my idol (Pete Sampras). I grew up watching him play so obviously it's a great thrill for me. Hopefully we'll break Tommy Haas' serve right now.”