Bode Miller takes on Johan Kriek in New Hampshire exhibition tennis match

Bode Miller takes on Johan Kriek in New Hampshire exhibition tennis match{mosimage}In a pro exhibition tennis match on July 10, Bode Miller played a one-set match against former Australian Open champion Johan Kriek.

Miller has recently been named ‘Director of Skiing’ at Bretton Woods, a resort in New Hampshire where the match was held. Kriek is a 2004 Wimbledon Senior Doubles champion.

Although 20 years Miller’s senior, Kriek beat the current World Cup giant slalom champion 4-6 on the Mt. Washington Hotel’s stadium tennis court, scene of the Volvo Tournament in the 1970s, in front of a couple hundred spectators and ardent Bode fans.

But 26-year-old Miller didn’t let 46-year-old Kriek walk away with it. The skier served like you’d expect a 6’2′ gifted athlete to serve, and several times the South Africa native couldn’t keep the ball in play. Few shots escaped Miller’s expansive wingspan, leading Kriek to quip into his portable microphone, ‘I guess he’s fit.’

Later in the match, Miller lifted his shirt to wipe sweat from his face and exposed his well-honed midriff. Between serves, the stocky Kriek said, ‘I can’t lift my shirt up. I don’t have a six-pack, more like a one pack.’

Miller didn’t lose a beat, replying softly, ‘It’s called a keg.’

After the set, Kriek said he was very impressed with Miller’s game. ‘He just doesn’t practice enough’ said the tennis pro, who admittedly wasn’t playing to annihilate New Hampshire’s favorite son. ‘If he played a lot, he’d be really tough. Just don’t ask me to come ski with him!’

Always the competitor, Miller would have been happier had Kriek played like he meant it. ‘It would have been fun if he’d played real with me. I don’t ever get to play against anybody of his level.’

During the set, Miller slid all over the court like clay was his home turf. In many respects, it is. His family owns Tamarack Tennis Camp in Franconia, N.H., just over the hill from Bretton Woods. Miller is teaching a bit of tennis there this summer before heading back to Europe.

Had anyone from his new sponsor, Atomic, been in the audience, they might have groaned. Miller played with a Rossignol racket and said he likes the brand.