The new Charlotte Invitational exhibition tennis event drew a sellout crowd of 16,194 at the Spectrum Center on Friday. The men's match between Frances Tiafoe and Carlos Alcaraz was a “high-quality hoot," as the players also "messed around a lot before an appreciative crowd.” Tiafoe wore a Hornets No. 24 jersey and "loaned his racquet" to both Panthers QB Andy Dalton and former NFLer Steve Smith. Both “subbed in briefly midway through the exhibition to hit balls with Alcaraz, and both looked pretty good doing it.” The night also featured a women’s match between Madison Keysand Sloane Stephens. The Charlotte Invitational “felt like a rousing success” in a city with "little recent high-profile tennis history." The attendance was "such that this should -- and possibly will -- become an annual event," with organizers “working on the possibility." Alcaraz earlier in the week sold out another exhibition at Madison Square Garden against Ben Shelton (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/7).
Now here’s a trio you don’t see every day:
— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) December 6, 2024
Hornets coach Charles Lee, tennis star Frances Tiafoe and Panthers QB Andy Dalton.
A few hours b4 taking on Carlos Alcaraz in CLT, Tiafoe hit a few balls with each of them at Spectrum Center.
Turns out Lee and Dalton can both play. pic.twitter.com/rmUAqnTEvU
