Photos: Powershares Tennis Series comes to Boston.

“Former world No. 1 tennis players Pete Sampras and John McEnroe are introduced during the Powershares Tennis Series match at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, October 19, 2012.”

“Former world No. 1 tennis player Pete Sampras gives an interview during the Powershares Tennis Series match at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, October 19, 2012.”

“Former world No. 1 tennis player Ivan Lendl hits a backhand during the Powershares Tennis Series match at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, October 19, 2012.”

“Former world No. 1 tennis player Jim Courier signs autographs during the Powershares Tennis Series match at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, October 19, 2012.”

I was asked to photograph the Boston leg of the 2012 Powershares Tennis Tour, which brings former World No. 1  tennis players together on the same court in cities across the country. 

In attendance yesterday were Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, and Jim Courier, who share 33 grand slam titles between themselves. 

A delay in the tennis court surface’s arrival made for a very long night, but as a tennis fan, this was a fun event to shoot. It’s not every day that you get to hang with the best tennis players of all time.

USTA holds 2011 US Open benefit auction.

"Singer Tony Bennett signs a 200 pound bottle of champagne in the President's Suite in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open Saturday, August 27, 2011."
"Actor Alec Baldwin leads a charity auction on opening night of the US Open Saturday, August 27, 2011."
"Former professional tennis player Jim Courier attends the USTA Serves Night at the 2011 US Open Saturday, August 27, 2011."

I’m not exactly sure what I was doing at this event, but for some reason, I was there. One minute I was across the grounds sitting in front of a laptop editing photos. The next minute I’m told that we needed coverage of the USTA Serves charity auction event in the President’s Suite in Arthur Ashe Stadium, and that I was the one who’d need to cover it. 

Once I was allowed in, I found myself surrounded with the likes of Tony Bennett, Alec Baldwin, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Robin Roberts (the host of Good Morning America), and other actors, stars, and tennis royalty. It’s a good thing I was dressed for the occasion. I fit right in with my Nike sneakers, khaki shorts, and polo…

Anyway, I enjoyed it and learned a lot that night. You can click here to see my full gallery from the event. 

*Don’t forget to vote for “Billie with an I.E.” for Baltimore’s Most Valuable Blog! You can vote once per day per computer or smartphone until September 9, 2011 (TODAY!). Click here to vote! Thank you so much for your readership!*