NEW YORK — Staid Pete Sampras, yukking it up on the court.

Mild-mannered Roger Federer, showboating during a match.

Who would have thunk it?

Yet there they were, Pistol Pete and The Federer Express, playing for and to the crowd with their rackets and their antics, turning an exhibition match into a showcase for their considerable talents and their sport.

A sellout crowd of 19,690 paid up to $1,000 for tickets at Madison Square Garden and was treated to nearly 2½ hours of fine shotmaking and occasional theatrics from the 36-year-old Sampras, the best male tennis player of his generation, and the 26-year-old Federer, the best of his.

"I don't think winning or losing was really the issue tonight," said Federer, who perhaps found it easier to think that way as Monday turned into Tuesday, given that he did come out on top 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6). "The winner was tennis. The winner was tennis in America."

The sport's honchos certainly hope that's the case, and there are plans in the works for making big-name exhibition tennis in the Big Apple a regular occurrence.

Monday night's match was the first men's professional tennis since 1996 at the site billed as "The World's Most Famous Arena."

"We'd love to make it annual," said Arlen Kantarian, who runs the U.S. Open and so has a vested interest in the popularity of the game in this city and country. "It's fun. It's different. It's a big event. It's the celebrity crowd. It's New York."

Folks such as Donald Trump, Regis Philbin and Anna Wintour dotted the stands.

And in the front row, right behind a baseline, was Federer's pal Tiger Woods.

At one point, Sampras exchanged some words and smiles with Woods, trying to hand the golf star his racket. Moments later, Sampras hit a volley winner and pumped his fist, hopped a couple of times, then threw some uppercuts — a rare sight during his real playing days, which ended in 2002.

There were other un-Sampras-like displays, including when he walked over and put his hands on a line judge's shoulders while disputing a call. Then Sampras pointed out the mistaken ruling during a replay on the overhead video screen.

He also spiked his racket in mock disgust at another call.

Federer is Sampras' equal when it comes to hiding emotion during a match, so the Swiss star drew roars from spectators when he raised an index finger — "I'm No. 1!" — after smacking four aces in a row during one game. He made the same gesture after one particularly brilliant on-the-run forehand winner.

During a packed news conference at a Manhattan restaurant hours before the match, Sampras was effusive in his praise of Federer's game. But the former No. 1-ranked player was really expansive when he discussed what it is he likes about Federer's demeanor.

"He's a humble champion. He's not brash. He's not abrasive. He's my sort of player," Sampras said, tellingly. "Because of his character, the way he plays — he makes it look very easy. He's smooth. He doesn't show up his opponent. He doesn't lose his cool.

"Some people might call that boring. But for me, I love it."

Sampras owns a record 14 Grand Slam singles titles; Federer is two behind. Neither is known for his "You cannot be serious!" moments, on or off the court, and some have wondered whether Q ratings for the men and their game would be higher with a tad more drama.

Then again, the man whose record of 12 majors was broken by Sampras, Roy Emerson, was on hand for the match and praised both participants afterward.

"Roger and Pete are two great champions. It was great coming to see them play tonight. They're great ambassadors for tennis," Emerson said. "I love the way they play. I love they conduct themselves on the tennis court, and tennis is lucky to have those two representatives."

That Federer and Sampras would come up with some spectacular serves and strokes — even in an exhibition, with nothing really at stake — shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. That they also would come up with some shtick was a pleasant surprise.

For one night, on a big stage, it certainly seemed silly to think that Sampras or Federer was anything but great for the game.

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Howard Fendrich covers tennis for The Associated Press. Write to him at hfendrich@ap.org