In a night pegged as pure entertainment among four competitors, keeping the competitive juices off the court was easier said than done during Tuesday night’s Nike Clash of the Champions held at Matthew Knight Arena.
Tennis stars Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka highlighted the sold-out exhibition event, with portions of the proceeds benefiting each of the four athletes’ charitable foundations.
Azarenka and Sharapova faced off in a women’s singles match to begin the night, followed by a mixed singles match between Nadal/Azarenka and Federer/Sharapova, with Federer and Nadal capping the night with a men’s singles match.
University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Rob Mullens said that when planning for Knight Arena started, events that captured the attention of the University, community and state would be equally beneficial to housing Oregon athletics.
“The Nike Clash of Champions is exactly that,” Mullens said. “It’s one of the most unique events we could ever dream of hosting here at Matthew Knight Arena.”
Each of the four competitors received a deafening ovation as they made their way down to the court, setting the tone for a special night, and even Federer had to admit he was impressed.
“Seriously, walking down the stairs and hearing that crowd like this, you think it’s normal,” Federer said. “For us, it’s definitely not normal, and that’s why it’s just a dream, and I’ll enjoy this night like no other.”
Nike Clash of Champions co-masters of ceremonies Brett Haber (CBS Sports) and Justin Gimelstob (former tennis pro and regular commentator on the Tennis Channel) kept the crowd involved throughout the night. At one point Haber was temporarily relieved of his duties by tennis legend John McEnroe in the chair umpires position.
McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and nine-time doubles champion, is the longest tenured Nike-sponsored athlete with 33 years and counting to his credit. Quest line judges and former Oregon quarterbacks Dennis Dixon and Joey Harrington joined McEnroe in calling the mixed doubles match.
The 52-year-old McEnroe even found his way onto the court in mixed doubles play, scoring two points in the final set before Federer and Sharapova closed out a 6-3 match victory.
In the main event, No. 1 Nadal and No. 2 Federer put on the show 12,220 fans came out to see, and neither star disappointed. The raucous crowd simmered for the final match, paying respects to two of the world’s premier athletes.
Federer, a native of Basel, Switzerland, is regarded by many as the best tennis player to ever play the game. He holds the male record with 16 Grand Slam singles titles, and is one of only three men to capture the career grand slam on all three playing surfaces (clay, grass and hard courts).
Nadal, a native of Majorca, Spain, has held the top ranking in men’s tennis since winning his fifth French Open title last June. The 24-year-old lefty has earned approximately $37 million in career earnings, more than $20 million less than Federer’s career mark of more than $61 million.
Nadal eventually closed the night with a 7-5 match victory, taking the final three sets to seal the win. Before the fifth match, Nadal called the venue “probably the nicest arena that I’ve ever played.”
Federer and Nadal have met head-to-head 22 times on the ATP World Tour, and they share an uncanny bond between the game’s elite, and have visited each other’s home countries for exhibition events several times before.
“Rafael and I have had many great battles over the years,” Federer said, “but also had some wonderful moments in exhibition play in some quite amazing places to play against.
“This is obviously very special to Nike, a place that means a lot to Phil (Knight), and we’re very happy to be here and put on a good show.”
All four competitors are slated to compete in the fifth-biggest tournament in the world — the 2011 BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif., which begins Wednesday for the women and Thursday for the men.
According to Sharapova, very few people could have pulled the quartet away from major tournament preparations. Fortunately for Oregon fans, Phil Knight is one of them.
“Only Nike can do that,” she said.
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