TURNING CRISIS INTO SUCCESS.Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer Mercedes-Benz Cup tournament director Bob Kramer was in crisis mode nine days ago. Andy Roddick Andrew Stephen "Andy" Roddick (born August 30, 1982) is an American professional tennis player and a former World No. 1. He is the top-ranked American player and fifth-ranked player in the world as of October 1, 2007. He finished sixth in the 2006 ATP Race. had dropped out at the last minute, and he figured Andre Agassi Andre Kirk Agassi (born April 29 1970, in Las Vegas, Nevada) is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from the United States who won eight Grand Slam singles tournaments and an Olympic gold medal in singles. was a coin flip. But what looked like it could be a disastrous tournament ended up being one of the best. The attendance, 82,329 for the week, was third-highest in the event's 79-year history. Agassi, playing for the first time in more than two months - he'd been sidelined with a chronic sciatic-nerve condition - not only played, but lasted the whole week and won the championship. ``It turned out a lot different than I thought,'' Kramer said. ``We were very fortunate, and I think the fans got lucky, too. Andre has that sort of panache that clicks with the Hollywood crowd and others. And he's so comfortable here.'' Back in May, it looked as if the Mercedes-Benz Cup would feature three of the top six players in the world. Then Lleyton Hewitt Lleyton Glynn Hewitt (born 24 February 1981) is a former World No. 1 tennis player from Australia. In 2001, he became the youngest male ever to be ranked number one. His career best achievements are winning the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon men's singles titles. pulled out because of conflicting wedding plans. Roddick withdrew just before the tournament draw with a sore left knee. ``No question, it's our goal to bring in six or seven of the top 10 players,'' Kramer said. ``Andre clearly made people probably forget some of the misfortune. God bless him. I hope he plays one more time.'' With Agassi the tournament's lone jewel, Kramer worked to protect his investment. Usually, marquee players are scheduled for night matches. Knowing that Agassi prefers the heat - he grew up in Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. - and learning from Agassi's trainer that the heat was better for his sciatic-nerve condition, Kramer placed his star in day matches from the second round on. ``I'm glad I took my gut feeling gut feeling Intuition, visceral sensation and moved him to days,'' Kramer said. ``He was happy with that; it was going to get him further in the tournament. And the people who didn't like the fact that he wasn't playing at night Thursday through Friday got to see him Saturday and Sunday, when everyone can come out during the weekend.'' Kramer said he initially had limited expectations of Agassi. But the eight-time Grand Slam grand slam n. 1. The winning of all the tricks during the play of one hand in bridge and other whist-derived card games. 2. Sports The winning of all the major or specified events, especially on a professional circuit. champion won his fourth Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. title. |
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