TORONTO - Hard-serving Canadian Milos Raonic will square off against American Pete Sampras in a tennis exhibition in November.
Sampras will meet the 20-year-old Raonic on Nov. 17 at the Air Canada Centre in the first-ever tennis event held at the facility. Raonic, who grew up in Thornhill, Ont., is currently ranked No. 31 on the ATP Tour while Sampras, 40, captured 14 Grand Slam titles during his 15-year career before announcing his retirement in August 2003.
WTA Tour member Aleksandra Wozniak of Blainville, Que., and Eugenie Bouchard of Westmount, Que., -- the world's fourth-ranked junior female player -- will also take part in the exhibition.
"Playing in front of my hometown against my hero growing up is a dream come true," Raonic said Tuesday in a statement. "I'm also really excited about playing the first-ever tennis event at the Air Canada Centre with Pete, Aleks, and Eugenie and I know tennis fans in Toronto and surrounding provinces will pack the arena to see how I match up with one of the best of all time."
Raonic hasn't played since Wimbledon, where he advanced to the second round before being forced to retire due to injury. Afterwards, he underwent successful hip surgery.
Sampras and Raonic have never played each other before. It will also be the first time the American has played in Canada since his retirement.
