Fast Break
Tennis
Agassi accepts new tradition
Having once refused to play at Wimbledon because of its stodgy traditions, Andre Agassi will get a unique look at perhaps the biggest change to come to the All England Club.
Agassi will become one of the first players to see the Centre Court’s retractable roof close over his head today, before teaming with wife Steffi Graf in a mixed doubles match against Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters for a televised inauguration of the new structure.
The roof, which is meant to prevent the long rain delays that often plague the Grand Slam tournament, means that some matches at this year’s event will essentially be played indoors for the first time.
The move to modernize is a welcome sight for Agassi, who boycotted the traditionalist event for three years after his debut in 1987, when he was a brash teenager known for his long hair and colorful outfits.
“Sometimes it’s hard to fully accept change in some respects,” Agassi said at a news conference Saturday. “It’s an exciting change. It’s an asset for fans and for players.”
Basketball
O’Neal admits to cereal use
Shaquille O’Neal, in a shocking development, has admitted that he has taken a performance-enhancing substance.
The substance comes in a brightly colored package and is available to athletes everywhere.
“I’ve told the world before, only thing I had was Frosted Flakes Super Enhancement Cereal,” O’Neal told 790-AM Atlanta. “That’s the only thing I’ve put in my body. Frosted Flakes Athletic Performance Enhancement Cereal.”
Swimming
Whatever suits their wishes
Eric Shanteau has been working the pool deck at the Charlotte (N.C.) UltraSwim, hoping to score one of those newfangled suits.
“I’m trying to get my hands on a Jaked,” the Olympian said. “But those are tough to get for the Americans.”
For those who thought the debate over high-tech swimsuits would settle down after the Beijing Olympics, think again. If anything, it’s even more of a hot-button issue.
FINA, which oversees all aquatic sports, has called a meeting Monday at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, to rule on which suits will be legal for the rest of the year, most notably at this summer’s world championships in Rome.