Dirk Nowitzki Hosts Tennis Classic, Talks Klay Thompson and Mavericks' Championship Hopes
Dirk Nowitzki hosts his 6th annual Tennis Classic, joined by Klay Thompson and celebrities, mixing tennis, trash talk, and fun for a great cause.
DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki may be best known for his 21-year NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks, but he’s no stranger to the tennis court either. On Saturday, Sept. 14, he hosted the sixth annual Dirk Nowitzki Foundation Tennis Classic, bringing together celebrities and athletes for a good cause. Held at The Banner House at T Bar M in Dallas, the event marked a return after a two-year break, and Nowitzki was eager to get things going again for his foundation and the local community.
“It’s a little more pressure since it’s not really my sport,” Nowitzki joked. “And nowadays, I don’t move as well anymore. But it'll be fun. I have to thank everybody. We've got so many sponsors on board this year. Last year we didn’t get to do one because of that fall, and then after that, we were off for a while. We've had two years off now. All the sponsors came back and more, and we've been getting great support. Celebrities are flying in, and we're excited for another year.”
This year’s event saw a few changes, including a new venue at T Bar M, where Nowitzki and his family often play. They also switched to a single show court, making it easier for spectators to follow the action and enjoy the mic’d up interactions between the players.
“We moved venues to T Bar M, which is our club. We have friends and family here, so it was a no-brainer for us to eventually move here,” he said. “The format is a little different this year. We used to play on six courts at the same time, but we didn't have the setup for that here, so we decided to do one show court. I think it's going to be awesome. People are going to be mic'd, and there will be some trash-talking.”
He added, “When we had six courts going at once, there was a lot happening, and you couldn't always catch the funny moments. With just one court, everyone will be locked in on the trash talk and the play. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works.”
Celebrities and Athletes Take the Court
The Tennis Classic brought out a unique mix of athletes and entertainers, including former Mavericks players J.J. Barea and Steve Nash. The event also welcomed Klay Thompson, the newest Mavericks star, who has recently joined Dallas in a high-profile sign-and-trade. Tennis pros Mark Knowles and CoCo Vandeweghe, along with Dr. Phil, rounded out the lineup of participants.
“I think we found a good mix of tennis players and basketball players. J.J. is here, Steve is here, and we've got Dr. Phil, who's a pretty good tennis player,” Nowitzki said. “So I think it'll be a fun day.”
As for the competition itself, Nowitzki acknowledged that while there was plenty of friendly trash talk, no formal bets had been placed. “No bets yet,” he said with a laugh. “I think there was already some trash-talking in the locker room, but so far, no bets.”
Welcoming Klay to Dallas
Thompson’s appearance at the Tennis Classic added extra buzz to the already star-studded event. Nowitzki expressed his admiration for his new teammate, both for showing up and for being a laid-back guy.
"He's a good dude, man. He’s got a big heart," Nowitzki said. “I’ve met him a bunch of times during our careers when we competed against each other. He’s super laid-back, super chill at all times.”
Nowitzki shared how he reached out to Thompson shortly after the trade to welcome him to Dallas. “I texted him a few weeks, maybe months ago, just to welcome him to the Mavericks and Dallas,” he said. “After that, I reached out again to see if he wanted to come out to this event. I didn’t even know he could play tennis—I just wanted him to come out and get a feel for the community. He was all for it.”
Thompson, feeling a bit nervous about his tennis skills, even stopped by Nowitzki’s house to practice before the event. “He was a little nervous about his tennis game, so he came over to the house a couple of days ago,” Nowitzki said. “He’s got some strokes. He was so nice to come out and support.”
Thompson also attended the fundraiser dinner the night before the tournament and spent time with Mavs fans. “He came to the big fundraiser dinner yesterday, and today he’s out here playing tennis,” Nowitzki said. “Hopefully, he’ll meet a ton of Mavs fans. He’s just a very chill fella.”
A Deep Connection with Dallas
Reflecting on his own journey in Dallas, Nowitzki reminisced about the bond he’s formed with the city and its fans over the years.
"When I arrived here in 1998, I didn’t know what to expect," he recalled. “I got off the plane and had no idea where this was going to go. From the beginning, I felt like the people in Dallas wanted me to succeed. My rookie year was rough, but I still felt the support. I even got standing ovations when I was subbed in, and that meant the world to me. The loyalty I received from the fans and the organization was incredible.”
Known for his loyalty to the Mavericks, Nowitzki’s name became synonymous with the team over his 21 seasons. His patented one-legged, step-back fadeaway became one of the most feared offensive moves in the NBA. Over the course of his career, Nowitzki racked up 14 All-Star selections, 12 All-NBA honors, and won the league MVP in 2007. His crowning achievement came in 2011 when he led the Mavericks to their first-ever NBA championship, earning Finals MVP in the process. His ability to stretch the floor and create space helped redefine what it meant to be a big man in the NBA.
Nowitzki’s lasting impact on Dallas goes beyond his on-court accomplishments. A statue of him outside the American Airlines Center and his No. 41 jersey hanging in the rafters are reminders of his legacy as a Mavericks icon.
Optimism for the Mavericks' Future
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Nowitzki is optimistic about the Mavericks’ chances, especially with the addition of Thompson on the perimeter next to Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, along with the emergence of Dereck Lively II.
“I think we addressed some depth issues this summer,” Nowitzki said. “Marshall has been coming in, and I think the guys have worked hard over the offseason. Adding Klay, who’s one of the best shooters the game has ever seen, gives us more freedom on the floor. We have a great, deep team, but you never know what a long season will bring. Hopefully, if we stay healthy, we can keep building momentum.”
Nowitzki also sees great potential in rookie Lively, comparing him to another former Mavs great. "He's incredible," he said. “He reminds me so much of Tyson (Chandler) early on, with his athleticism and energy. He’s vocal on defense and is already pushing guys in the right direction. What excites everyone the most is his offensive potential.”
A Legacy Cemented
As the host of the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation Tennis Classic, Nowitzki continues to be a pillar of the Dallas community. Driving down Nowitzki Way and seeing his statue outside the American Airlines Center, he can’t help but feel grateful for the journey that brought him from Würzburg to Dallas, a city he now calls home.
"It’s still surreal. The streets, the statue, everything—it’s incredible," Nowitzki said. “It’s been 21 years since I joined the Mavs, and it’s like family over there. A lot of the people are still the same, and it’s emotional at times. My jersey is retired there, so it’s always cool to come back.”
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