Former tennis player Andre Agassi hits a backhand during an exhibition match on a Wimbledon-style grasscourt in Central Park, in New York City, U.S. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

The manicured lawns of Wimbledon came to the heart of Manhattan on Friday as former Grand Slam champions and fan favourites, including Andre Agassi and Caroline Wozniacki, took to a temporary pop-up grass court erected in New York’s Central Park.

Agassi and Wozniacki were joined by former U.S. player James Blake and Canadian former world number five Eugenie Bouchard for a series of exhibition matches designed to bring a taste of southwest London to New York ahead of Wimbledon, which begins on Monday.

The quartet played singles exhibitions before teaming up for mixed doubles on a Wimbledon-style court installed at Wollman Rink, at the southern end of Central Park, against a backdrop of trees and the Manhattan skyline.

“It was an amazing experience,” Wozniacki said. “Playing on a grass court in the middle of Central Park doesn’t happen every day. To be part of this amazing event was something that I won’t forget.”

The All England Club’s head agronomist, Mark Ferguson, oversaw the project, with the grass specially grown in neighbouring New Jersey for the pop-up installation.

“I think it’s a fantastic juxtaposition of Wimbledon and New York,” Ferguson said.

The exhibition also gave the former players an opportunity to discuss the return of 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams, who is set to make a surprise comeback at Wimbledon after four years away from singles competition.

“I’m very excited to see her back,” Wozniacki said.

“It’s always great to see one of the greatest players ever return and compete. I’ll be watching, I’ll be supporting her, and it will be great.”

Asked whether she might consider another comeback of her own, Wozniacki smiled and replied: “I don’t know. That’s a good question.”

Bouchard said Williams faced a daunting challenge by returning directly at Wimbledon without playing a warm-up event.

“I think it’s bonkers, in a good way,” Bouchard said.

“The fact that she hasn’t played a singles match in four years and is making her return at Wimbledon is pretty crazy.

“But if there’s anyone who can handle it, it’s Serena.”

Published on Jun 27, 2026