Who's Pearl? Serena Williams can check with chair umpire

Tennis superstar Serena Williams will get her first taste of Rocky Top when she plays an exhibition Dec. 14 at the University of Tennessee's Thompson-Boling Arena.

She might say: What's Rocky Top?

Williams, ranked No. 2 in the world, says she has never been to Knoxville, knows little about UT athletics, and has never heard of Bruce Pearl, the UT men's basketball coach and celebrity chair umpire for the exhibition.

"It will be exciting to be there and play in Knoxville for the first time," Williams said Wednesday. "I'm looking forward to it."

When Williams and Andy Roddick face John Isner and Caroline Wozniacki in a doubles to end the Sunday afternoon exhibition, Pearl is expected to be the chair umpire. UT plays at Temple the day before in Philadelphia.

Roddick, former world's No. 1 player who is now No. 8, will play Isner in singles starting the exhibition at 2 p.m.

Williams will then play Wozniacki, an 18-year-old Danish player ranked No. 12 in the world, followed by the doubles match.

Williams said she has played some doubles with Roddick in exhibitions.

"It's fun," Williams said. "Andy's a great guy. I'm looking forward to playing with him again."

She's not looking forward to seeing the booming serve of the 6-foot-9, 236-pound Isner, former All-American at Georgia. Isner, whose ranking climbed as high as No. 81 in April, is No. 146.

Can Williams and Roddick take Isner and Wozniacki?

"I hope so," Williams said. "Isner's a big server. Most of all, we're playing for fun and letting people see us who have not seen us before, and playing for Andy's foundation."

The Knoxville exhibition, which benefits the Andy Roddick Foundation, will be the third exhibition in a three-day tour called Rock-n-Rackets.

Williams, Roddick, Isner and Wozniacki are scheduled to play in Louisville, Ky., on Friday night and in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday night before playing in Knoxville.

The Andy Roddick Foundation benefits a number of charities, including Kids in Distress and the Food Bank for New York City.

"One thing, since Andy started playing, he's had his own charity (foundation)," Williams said. "I think that's admirable."

Williams won her ninth Grand Slam title at the 2008 U.S. Open and climbed to No. 1 in the world. She's now second behind Serbia's Jelena Jankovic.

Williams pulled out of the WTA Tour Championship this fall due to injury.

She's fine now.

"Physically I'm great," Williams said. "I'm really looking forward to coming and playing."

She has not played a WTA Tour match against Wozniacki, who won three Tour titles this year. Wozniacki, a striking blonde, may have some star power of her own.

"She's a good talent," Williams said. "She plays well. She has a bright, bright future."