Okay, okay, it’s not Wimbledon. And it sure ain’t the U.S. Open. But you could argue that the Esurance Classic at Mill Valley’s inviting Harbor Point Tennis and Swim Club is about as good as it gets when it comes to intimate, local, in-the-neighborhood tennis. After all, the feel-good gathering, which benefits Youth Tennis Advantage and charities that battle breast and prostate cancer, again drew hefty crowds to the beautiful, life-is-good club, where a packed house of over 2,000 by-the-Bay spectators relished the most charismatic player of our day, Andre Agassi, with his glistening bald head, distinctive walk and howitzer groundstrokes. By his side, as it should be, was his wife, Ms. Steffi Graf. Sleek and elegant as ever, the Fraulein who found her way to Vegas impressed all as she uncorked that wheelhouse forehand of hers that no one else seems to have.
On the other side of the net there was Michael Chang, who, though he might be a step or two slower, is still scrambling after all these years. (His movement prompted a debate in the sixth row. “Who had the best wheels — Chang, Hewitt or Nadal?)
By Chang’s side was his beautiful bride, two-time NCAA titlist Amber Lui Chang, who once reigned supreme at Stanford. Joining this notable pack were plenty of characters, like Luke and Murphy Jensen (who claimed he was some kind of Ukrainian movie star) and Tracy Austin, the always appealing broadcaster and two-time U.S. Open champ who still moves well, has great hands and clearly still has a love for this game.
Also on hand was ex-Wimby champ Conchita Martinez, cancer survivor Corina Morariu, and doubles whiz Rick (“Sweet Touch”) Leach. College players were also spotted, along with well-meaning, but long-winded politicians and a bearded, deep pocket entrepreneur who contributed mightily in order to play a dream set with Andre.
Throughout, the happening was enlivened by many a commentator: Barry MacKay, Barry Tompkins and Bud (“have you always dressed that way?”) Collins, who the Classic honored at a gala.
On court, The Mighty Agassi may have been passed a couple times at net and was even broken, but still-near-tour-level-play broke out on occasion and we got monster Andre forehands and breathtaking Chang gets. “That gave me goose bumps,” said a 40-something Mill Valley lady in shades.
Of course, wit and repartee are the order of the day. Agassi is a favored target. He muffed a shot and was told he would be banished to the guest room that night. Mate Steffi became a mime, and after another Andre error, offered an exaggerated gesture, which silently shouted, “What’s wrong with you, bud? It was right to you!” Steffi and Andre ultimately lost to the Changs when Graf double faulted. But so what: on a warm-glow afternoon, with barely a cloud dropping by, there was hardly a fault to be found in merry Marin.
