‘Andy, Andre, Andy….’ – When Tennis Beauty Anna Kournikova Plucked Sun-Flower Petals for Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick to Start a Match

Back in 2003, on the occasion of kids’ day at the Arthur Ashe stadium, Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick clashed in a friendly match. While Agassi was an accomplished tennis star by then, Roddick was a young 21-year-old prodigy making rapid strides in the ATP tour. While Agassi was in the top spot of the ranking back then, Roddick was at number 4. What made the match more interesting was the chair umpire. It was none other than popular former Russian tennis star Anna Kournikova.

While explaining the rules, the Russian came up with an interesting way to decide who will serve first. Here’s what happened.

Anna Kournikova’s strange way of deciding the first serve

As it was a friendly match for the entertainment of kids, Kournikova came up with a rather funny way to decide who between Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick will serve first.

“This tie break will be 10 point tie break and the first player that gets to 10 will win,” Kournikova said, explaining the rules. Agassi interrupted her, asking, “Who serves?”

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The Russian had a sunflower in her hand. She started plucking its petals while naming Agassi and Roddick. “Okay, Andy, Andre, Andy… I think this is taking too long right, you’ll serve, Andy will serve,” she said.

Andre Agassi dominated Andy Roddick

Hailing from the same country, Agassi and Roddick were two players from different generations. When Roddick started climbing the ladder of success, Agassi was already a champion tennis player. The two of them have faced each other six times. Interestingly, Agassi had complete dominance against his compatriot, winning five out of six times. The two first met at the Miami Open back in the year 2000. Agassi defeated Roddick 6-2, 6-3 in dominant fashion. Up next, the two came face to face in Washington DC, where Agassi prevailed again.

Two years later, Agassi won again at San Jose. Later in the year 2003, Roddick won his first set against the eight-time Grand Slam champion, but still couldn’t claim his first victory. That day finally arrived for Roddick later in the year when the duo first met on a grass-court.

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Roddick beat Agassi in a three-set thriller. However, Agassi stamped his authority one last time when the duo met in the Cincinnati Masters in 2004.