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The 2024 tennis season might have ended, but the sport continued in full flow in the off-season with exhibition events. The Charlotte International was one such event played in the packed Spectrum Center on Friday, December 6.
The event saw three top American players, Frances Tiafoe, Sloane Stephens, and Madison Keys, take the court. World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz also showed his full repertoire of skills in front of a packed house. This was the Spaniard's second exhibition in recent weeks, after his appearance at the Garden Cup at Madison Square Garden a few days ago.
On that note, here are some of the best moments from the Charlotte Invitational:
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# NFL stars taking the court for Tiafoe against Alcaraz
The Spectrum Center was packed with celebrities and other sports personalities who came to watch some of the top tennis players ply their trade. The match between Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe saw NFL stars take the court for the American.
Former NFL star Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers took the court for Tiafoe to play a single rally against Alcaraz.
Current NFL star and the Carolina Panthers quarterback, Andy Dalton also came on the court to play a couple of points against the Spaniard.
# Ball girl getting to play against Madison Keys
The match between Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys had a similar light-hearted moment. On this occasion, rather than a celebrity, a ball girl was asked by Stephens to play a point against Keys.
In the first set, with the score at 2-3 (40-40), the ball girl took the spot for Stephens. The youngster gave a good account of herself, winning the point for Stephens with an overhead smash at the net to earn the former US Open champion a breakpoint.
# Carlos Alcaraz playing an outrageous tweener
Carlos Alcaraz has earned the reputation of being a player who can pull off improbable shots on the tennis court. The same was on show for the large audience at the exhibition as well.
In one of the points at the beginning of the match, the Spaniard came to the net to return a drop shot from Tiafoe. To the crowd's delight, the World No. 3 played a passing tweener between his legs from the net to score the point.
However, in an enthralling contest, it was Tiafoe who prevailed, winning 5-7, 6-1, 11-9.
# A great passing shot by Madison Keys against Sloane Stephens
The women's singles match at the Charlotte Invitational between Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens had its share of quality tennis as well. The two Americans had played the biggest match of their respective careers in the US when they contested the 2017 US Open final.
In the very first game of the match, with Stephens serving, and the score being 30-40, Keys found a great angle with a passing shot, breaking her opponent at the very first game. The latter went on to win the match 7-5, 6-3.
