Now the former Dade City resident is trying to keep people in the seats four years after his retirement from the ATP Tour.

Courier, who still remains active as the top- ranked player on the Champions senior circuit, realizes the competition for the public's attention - how fans have so many options for sports and entertainment possibilities. Coming to a tennis match is just one of countless ways to spend a day.

That's partially why a year ago Courier began his own sports and entertainment company, Inside Out, a New York City-based management group that takes a progressive approach to organizing tennis exhibitions.

Tonight's Mercedes-Benz Classic at the St. Pete Times Forum will offer that combination of athleticism and entertainment. Courier and Andre Agassi will face local youngbloods James Blake and Mardy Fish in a Battle of the Ages format. Players will wear microphones and a DJ will spin a variety of music - from Modest Mouse to Beyonce - during breaks.

Proceeds go to Raymond James Courier's Kids Foundation, which funds an after-school tennis program for underprivileged youth at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Last year's inaugural event drew 8,500 and raised $335,000.

Courier promises the event will offer competitive tennis in an atmosphere that is not so tight laced.

``You're going to see great tennis,'' Courier said. ``You're also going to see more of the personality of the players. It's not the Wimbledon final. We're not promoting it that way. I think it's the opportunity for all of us to be performers and entertainers, not just tennis players.''

In January, Courier's company raised $518,932 for tsunami relief in a benefit event in Houston that featured Andy Roddick, John McEnroe and Anna Kournikova. Inside Out also held a two-day tennis and music event last month in Austin, Texas, that benefited the Hope Foundation for cancer research. That event, which included Roddick, Taylor Dent and up-and-coming junior Donald Young, featured a concert headlined by Gavin DeGraw.

Considering Inside Out's approach, Courier couldn't ask for a better headliner than Agassi.

``Andre is the ambassador for tennis,'' Courier said. ``He's a personality who has become a part of pop culture. If you just say the name Andre, I think he's the first person most people would think about. He has his own fragrance. You see all of his ads in airports. You see the commercials of him and his wife [Steffi Graf].''

Agassi and Courier have a long history together, playing against each other on the ATP Tour for years as well as teaming together on Davis Cup teams. Agassi was one of Courier's first roommates when Courier joined Nick Bollettieri's tennis academy in Bradenton.

Despite their long-running friendship, Courier was worried Friday after Agassi pulled out of his Pacific Life Open quarterfinal with a left toe injury. But Agassi's office called Courier later that night confirming his flight plans. Despite some inflammation around the joint, Agassi promised he will play in tonight's event, Inside Out founding partner Tim Stallard confirmed Sunday afternoon.