Agassi, Sampras get sorry reviews
Reviews of the Pete Sampras-Andre Agassi dust-up are in and the results are ... advantage, Sampras.
Their long-running feud boiled over Friday during a charity tennis exhibition for Haiti at Indian Wells, Calif.
Sampras, still stewing over comments that surfaced in Agassi's book, "Open," started the exchange with some mild barbs, including a bald reference by calling Agassi "Kojak."
Agassi, with wife Steffi in the crowd, didn't elevate the zingers until Sampras mimicked Agassi's pigeon-toed walk and noted "we're in the lead."
Sampras was paired with Roger Federer while Agassi teamed up with Rafael Nadal.
Sampras had the upper hand in their rivalry, winning 20 of the 34 matches between 1989 and 2002, and having a 4-1 advantage in grand slam finals.
On Friday, Agassi responded to Sampras' digs by turning his pockets inside-out, a reference to Sampras' rep as a bad tipper.
They kept smiling through it all, even when Sampras took it up another notch by hitting a rocket serve at Agassi's head.
Agassi apologized on Monday, telling ESPN.com that he was "out of line" and that his behavior was "inappropriate."
On Tuesday, a number of media agreed.
"It's very hard to screw up an event of such class and integrity, but these two guys pulled it off," wrote Bruce Jenkins of S.I.com.
"Know this: I'm a big-time admirer of both men," added Jenkins, "and nothing could change how I view them as players."
Sports talk host Jim Rome on Tuesday called it "very awkward, bizarre and very disrespectful." He said "part of the apology was to blame Sampras."
Tony Kornheiser of ESPN said Sampras might accept the apology, "but he'll never forgive him." The disrespect "went to something that really wounds Sampras."
"What a pity," tennis analyst Mary Carillo told Jenkins via e-mail. "What struck me the most were the uneasy, deeply uncomfortable positions in which the veterans put Roger and Rafa -- two champions who are constitutionally incapable of delivering a cheap shot -- in print or on the court."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
"The Donny & Marie Show" at the Flamingo has been canceled until Tuesday. Marie Osmond had returned to the stage March 8, a day after the funeral of her 18-year-old son, Michael Bryan. "She decided she needed more time with her family," said Chip Lightman, who produces the show. ...
Ex-UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian is getting honored tonight at the Tropicana for his 1989-1990 NCAA national championship. Friends, fans and ex-players, including Larry Johnson, will celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the title. Tark the Shark Day proclamations will be presented to Tarkanian, who turns 80 in August. Open to the public, the event starts at 6 p.m. in the Celebration Lounge. ...
Impressionist Rich Little and wife Marie, at Faith Community Lutheran Church over the weekend, taped a public service announcement for E Bunny, the volunteer community outreach program that delivers Easter baskets to the 3,500-10,000 homeless children in the valley. The Littles added another 60 baskets. To donate an Easter basket, call Barbara Kenig at 498-9808 or e-mail her at barbarakenig@gmail.com. With Easter on April 4, the deadline for drop-off is March 26. More information: http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/ebunny.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Keep asking why you can't play in fabulous outfits like Johnny Weir." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Signs Your Team Isn't Ready for the NCAA Basketball Tournament
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
