Querrey's Samurai Invade Indianapolis

© ITCThe 'Samurai' show their support for Sam Querrey.

Sam Querrey’s Samurai flew all the way from Santa Barbara, California, to Indiana to spread their spirit courtside at the Indianapolis Tennis Championships – and also throughout the city.

Querrey and five of the Samurai went to Scotty’s Brewhouse on Tuesday night to serve food and entertain the guests at the popular downtown restaurant. While Querrey jumped behind the bar to pour drinks, his friends went around the plaza handing out Samurai headbands and asking trivia questions about the 21-year-old tennis star. Correct answers earned the winners an “I Saw Sam” t-shirt.

“I think that the fans are more excited to see them than me,” said Querrey. “They are a few of my best buddies from back home and they had this idea to create the Samurais. When I play close from home they always come to cheer me up. They are a lot of fun to watch.”

A handful of lucky patrons walked away with tickets to Thursday Samurai Night and to Sunday’s final at the ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament. Querrey and the Samurai also took photos and signed autographs for fans, making it a special 25th wedding anniversary celebration for one family in attendance.

The Samurai were invited by Tournament Director Kevin Martin, who thought their enthusiasm in the stands would add extra flavour to the Indianapolis Tennis Championships.

Querrey said: “I thank the Indianapolis Tennis Championships to bring them to cheer me up this week. I hope to go deep in the tournament so they can have a lot to cheer about.”

The 37th-ranked Querrey, the No. 3 seed this week, is scheduled to play his second round match against local hero Rajeev Ram on Thursday Samurai Night after rain cancelled all singles matches Wednesday. Querrey and Ram recently faced off in the grass-court final at Newport.