TENNIS-SINGAPORE/CHARITY Tennis fans hit ball with Monfils, Ivanovic and Agassi in Singapore

Record ID: 734984

  • Title: TENNIS-SINGAPORE/CHARITY Tennis fans hit ball with Monfils, Ivanovic and Agassi in Singapore
  • Date: 3rd December 2014
  • Summary: SINGAPORE (DECEMBER 3, 2014) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WAITING IN TENNIS ARENA TENNIS PLAYERS GAEL MONFILS AND ANA IVANOVIC SEATED MONFILS HITTING BALL WOMAN HITTING BALL BACK (SOUNDBITE) (English) HOUSEWIFE JENNIFER QUEH SAYING: "I feel great and honoured playing with Monfils. He's one of my favourite tennis players." MONFILS HITTING BALL (SOUNDBITE) (English) PARTICIPANT ELLIOT SAYING: "Fun, nervous, makes me nervous." PEOPLE QUEUING UP TO DONATION BOX FIFTY DOLLAR NOTES ON TABLE PEOPLE GATHERED AROUND DONATION BOX (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACCOUNTANT AHMED SAYING: "I'm just hoping to play with Monfils. I was there two weeks ago at the David Cup finals, saw him beating Federer. So that's the t-shirt from the David Cup, so hoping to play with him today, great player. VARIOUS OF IVANOVIC SITTING COURTSIDE PEOPLE GATHERED
  • Embargoed: 18th December 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Singapore
  • Country: Singapore
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAZZCNEAKQ2W03A4SUBJ78A7NB
  • Story Text: Dozens of tennis fans in Singapore hit a few volleys with Andre Agassi, Gael Monfils and Ana Ivanovic on Wednesday (December 3).
    They were selected from members of the public who donated to local charities Rally for Hope and Rainbow Centre. The stars are in Singapore for the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL).
    For many, Gael Monfils was the star attraction."I feel great and honoured playing with Monfils. He's one of my favourite tennis players," said fan Jennifer Queh. Accountant Ahmed turned out to be a real tennis fanatic. He said : "I'm just hoping to play with Monfils. I was there two weeks ago at the David Cup finals, saw him beating Federer. So that's the t-shirt from the David Cup, so hoping to play with him today, great player."
    American great Agassi is one of the 'icons' on the four teams at the IPTL tournament, who have also recruited a host of big names including Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova.
    "This tour is doing a lot of great stuff in the communities and for organisations that really make a difference and I really respect it, I want to give my time to it and it's amazing how certain things transcend cultural barriers," said Agassi.
    The 44-year-old joined up with his Singapore Slammers teammates on the second leg of the Asia-based mixed team event this week.
    The four-team tournament kicked off in Manila on Friday (November 28) and will proceed to Delhi next before concluding in Dubai on December 13, the event mirroring its India-based cricket counterpart by adding bright lights and audience participation to a fast-paced format.
    The emphasis of the event is on speed, fun and noise with ties made up of five one-set shootouts in men's and women's singles, men's and mixed doubles and a legends singles match with the team that wins the most games, not sets, declared the winner.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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