Skip to content
BNP Paribas Open
  • Get Tickets
  • Plan Your Visit
  • News
Get tickets

Indian Wells, California

March 4 - 17, 2024

Get tickets
  • 2024 BNP Paribas Open
  • Tickets & Packages Toggle
    • Series Packages
    • Mini Packages
    • Travel Packages
    • Group Packages
    • Luxury Suites
    • Single Session Tickets
    • Evening Session
    • Daily Doubles
    • Qualifying Rounds
    • My Tickets Account
  • News
  • Players
  • Tournament Toggle
    • Competition Schedule
    • How to Watch
    • 2023 Scores & Results
    • Venue ↗
    • History
    • Past Champions
  • Plan Your Visit Toggle
    • Dining
    • Shopping
    • 2023 On-Site Activities
    • Transportation/Parking
    • Official Event Mobile App
    • FAQS
  • Get Involved Toggle
    • Volunteers
    • Ball Crew
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Partnerships Toggle
    • Partners
    • Partnership Opportunities
  • Contact
BNP Paribas Open Insider News
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
General News, Photos, Videos

Tommy Haas, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Novak Djokovic Surprise Saturday Fans

2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN2019 BNP PARIBAS OPEN

Saturday, March 16, 2019 - Novak Djokovic & Pete Sampras play Tournament Director Tommy Haas & John McEnroe in an exhibition match at the BNP Paribas Open in Stadium 1 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. (Kathryn Riley/BNP Paribas Open)

by BNP Paribas Open
03/16/2019

Fedal-seeking Stadium 1 fans may have been disappointed by today’s news but spirits were soon lifted as fans were treated instead to an entertaining doubles exhibition, featuring four tennis greats. BNP Paribas Open tournament director Tommy Haas, along with tennis legends Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, took the court and actor/comedian Jon Lovitz assumed the role of chair umpire, to the amusement of the crowd.

“After we heard Rafa wasn’t going to be able to play, we wanted to make sure our fans got something fun,” said Haas. “We started making some calls and Novak was willing to come over. Pete was here for the Raonic and Thiem match, and John is in town because he is making an announcement with BNP Paribas tomorrow. They all just said, how can I help? And that shows what incredible people they are. “

Decades after retiring, McEnroe dazzled fans with his touch at the net, while Sampras rekindled memories of what was once the best serve in the game. Add a dash of Djokovic showmanship (the Serb brought down the house as he sank into the splits) and you’ve got nothing less than a once-in-a-lifetime tennis event.

View this post on Instagram

Split second special 😂 @djokernole , @petesamprasofficial , @johnmcenroeofficial and @tommyhaasofficial come together for an impromptu doubles exhibition at #BNPPO19. . . #TennisParadise #djokovic #sampras #mcenroe #haas #splits #legends

A post shared by BNP Paribas Open (@bnpparibasopen) on Mar 16, 2019 at 5:33pm PDT

“We can’t thank them enough for stepping up, their passion for our event and going above and beyond for us and our fans.”

John McEnroeNovak DjokovicPete SamprasTommy Haas
  • Share it with facebook
  • Share it with twitter
  • Share it with email
Popular news
  • 07/13/2023 Wimbledon Watch: Ons Jabeur Leads The Charge Heading Into Championship Weekend
  • 07/17/2023 Wimbledon Recap: Alcaraz Marks Changing Of The Guard With Signature Victory Over Djokovic, Vondrousova Makes History
  • 03/19/2023 Aryna Sabalenka – Sunday. March 19, 2023
  • 03/13/2023 Q&A: Holger Rune Is Ready To Get To The Top Of Tennis
  • 03/10/2022 Women’s Rising Stars are Ready for a Tennis Paradise Breakthrough
Recent news
  • 09/11/2023 Coco Claims US Open Breakthrough, Djokovic Triumphs Once Again In New York
  • 08/31/2023 Sodexo Live! Named Hospitality Partner to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and BNP Paribas Open
  • 08/01/2023 “Race To Indian Wells” Champions Crowned: California Natives Earn 2024 Qualifying Wild Cards
  • 07/17/2023 Wimbledon Recap: Alcaraz Marks Changing Of The Guard With Signature Victory Over Djokovic, Vondrousova Makes History
  • 07/13/2023 Wimbledon Watch: Ons Jabeur Leads The Charge Heading Into Championship Weekend

Post navigation

PreviousElise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka Capture 2019 BNP Paribas Open Doubles Title
NextFederer, Thiem to tango for the BNP Paribas Open trophy
  • bnp logo
  • penn logo
  • fila logo
  • IW logo
  • emirates logo
  • Media
  • Contact
  • Partnerships
  • Sustainability
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • California Privacy Rights
© 2023 BNP Paribas Open a Desert Champions LLC Event
Close
Get the latest updates
Get the latest updates from Tennis Paradise
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Subscribe