Indian Wells, California: Last Friday's verbal showdown between Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras has been described by world number one Roger Federer as an "awkward moment" and "a bit unfortunate".
The episode occurred during the ‘Hit for Haiti' charity doubles match at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden where Sampras took exception to Agassi's suggestion he was a poor tipper.
Each of the players competing wore a microphone so the crowd and television viewers could hear the banter and Agassi repeated the allegation he had made about his fellow American in his autobiography Open last year.
"There was definitely an awkward moment, a bit of a heated moment," Federer told reporters on Sunday after beating Romania's Victor Hanescu 6-3 6-7 6-1 in the second round of the Indian Wells ATP tournament.
Federer and Sampras overcame Agassi and Rafael Nadal 8-6 in the match to raise money for victims of the Haiti earthquake.
Although most of the banter between the players was light-hearted and entertaining for the capacity crowd of 16,100, Sampras and Agassi appeared to get heated late in the match. After Sampras and Federer had taken the lead, the American celebrated with a fist bump, prompting Agassi to reply: "You always have to get serious, huh Pete?"
Sampras countered: "Okay Andre, I'll joke a little bit. I'm going to imitate you" and mimicked Agassi's shuffle.
In response, Agassi turned his pockets out and said: "I don't have any money. No, wait, I've got a dollar".
The jibes went on, Sampras at one point saying: "If that's the way you want to play it." Agassi said: "It's better than being a valet driver and you pulling up."
