Rock n' Racquets

Saturday tennis superstar Serena Williams came to town to hold a clinic for kids and play in a lighthearted Rock n' Racquets event. Also featured were Georgia alums John Isner, now a tennis pro, and White Sox third baseman Gordan Beckham along with two other tennis pros Sam Querrey and Melanie Oudin. It was basically an exhibition with lots of joking and chatting with the audience. Gordon Beckham was surprisingly hilarious as the line judge. Hands down though the best part was Serena up close and personal. As much as you hear talk of her as a diva she struck me as very normal, maybe even a little shy. The rock half of the show was a performance by American Idol's Allison Iraheta. She was only vaguely familiar to me, I think she was from last season. All in all a decent way to spend a Saturday afternoon.


Professional tennis player Serena Williams helps lead a clinic with the Boys & Girls Club before the Rock n' Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


Professional tennis player Sam Querrey, along with P.J. Yearby, center, and Darius Ollie of the Boys & Girls club, participate in a tennis clinic before the Rock n' Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


Professional tennis player Serena Williams helps lead a clinic with the Boys & Girls Club before the Rock n' Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.



Coach Wayne Bryan helps lead a tennis clinic for the Boys & Girls Club before the Rock n' Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


Professional tennis superstar Serena Williams signs autographs for the Boys & Girls club as one girl reacts.


Professional tennis players Serena Williams, right, and John Isner hug before the start of the Rock 'n Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


American Idol finalist Allison Iraheta does a sound check before the Rock n' Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


Professional tennis player and former Georgia player John Isner is introduced before the Rock n' Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


Professional tennis player Serena Williams makes her way onto the court for the Rock n' Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


Georgia mascot Hairy Dawg gets a piece of the action during the Rock 'n Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


Professional tennis player and Georgia alum John Isner jokes around during the Rock n' Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


Gordon Beckham, a former Georgia baseball player and current White Sox 3rd baseman, is the line judge during the Rock 'n Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


Professional tennis player Serena Williams lunges to return a ball hit by Melanie Oudin during a match at the Rock n' Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


John Isner serves.


Serena Williams returns the ball.


John Isner serves.


Serena Williams, left, and John Isner celebrate a point.


Professional tennis player Melanie Oudin returns the ball.


Serena Williams reacts to a missed opportunity.


White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham gets in the game.


Gordon Beckham, a former Georgia baseball player and current White Sox 3rd baseman, takes tennis ball pitches from tennis pro John Isner.


Gordon Beckham, a former Georgia baseball player and current White Sox 3rd baseman, hands a signed bat to a fan.


Professional tennis player Serena Williams jokes around during the Rock n' Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.


Professional tennis players Serena Williams and John Isner meet Melanie Oudin and Sam Querrey at the net after a doubles match during the Rock n' Racquets event Saturday Dec. 12, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.