2013/05/25

Sampras, McEnroe, Lendl and Haas to Play in The Greenbrier Champions Tennis Classic

 

White Sulphur Springs, WV – April 23, 2013: The Greenbrier, the classic American resort in the foothills of West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains, will once again be host this fall to The Greenbrier Champions Tennis Classic, featuring exhibition matches with Tennis Hall of Fame legends Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and, for the first time ever, Ivan Lendl and Tommy Haas.

 

From September 21-22, 2013, The Greenbrier will host this second annual tennis classic featuring four of the greatest living tennis stars in the world, who, all together, hold 29 career Grand Slam men’s singles titles.  Following the overwhelming success of last year’s inaugural Greenbrier Champions Tennis Class (which was a one-day event), the 2013 Classic will span two days and include three marquee matches between these four tennis legends, along with a Pro-Am.

 

Last September, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras restarted the tradition of high-profile tennis events hosted by The Greenbrier when they played before an enthusiastic crowd of guests at

Pete Sampras

The Greenbrier’s tennis center.  The 2013 Greenbrier Champions Tennis Classic will have a new format, with last year’s competitors, McEnroe and Sampras, playing as teammates in a friendly challenge against former world #1 Ivan Lendl and Tommy Haas, who is currently ranked #14 in the world.  On Saturday, September 21, two singles matches will be played – McEnroe vs. Lendl and Sampras vs. Haas.  On Sunday, September 22, one doubles match will be played with the Americans (McEnroe and Sampras) competing against the Europeans (Lendl and Haas).

 

“We are so thrilled to continue to build the tradition of the fall Tennis Classic at The Greenbrier, and welcome Pete and John back to the resort,” says Jim Justice, owner of The Greenbrier.  “And we could not ask for better ambassadors for the resort and our extraordinary tennis facilities than four of the most talented players that have ever graced the court in international men’s tennis.”

 

“I am really looking forward to returning to The Greenbrier again this fall for some great tennis-and hopefully a little golf, too!” says Pete Sampras.  ”John and I had such a great time last year,

Ivan Lendl

and I’m psyched to join forces with him this year to take on the

‘new challengers’ at the tournament.”

 

“It’s really great to see the Greenbrier continue to bring tennis to the forefront at this great American resort” says John McEnroe.  “The crowd at last year’s event seemed to really enjoy the tennis and was very supportive of both Pete and myself.  I am sure the new expanded tournament format, with the Americans vs. Europeans competition, will encourage even more fans to come out for a great weekend.”

Tommy Haas
Tommy Haas

For more information about The Greenbrier Champions Tennis Classic, please visit: http://greenbrier.com/tennisclassic.   For more about The Greenbrier resort, please visit: www.greenbrier.com.  And follow The Greenbrier resort on Twitter at @The_Greenbrier and get the latest developments on #GBRTennisClassic.

 

Share
Filed Under: Events, Front Page News, tennis news Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Federer Downs Dodig to Move into Round of 16; Nadal Through on Walkover

Roger Federer

(March 11, 2013) It was ATP World Tour win number 890 for BNP Paribas Open defending champion Roger Federer when he defeated Ivan Dodig of Croatia 6-3, 6-1 on Monday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

The Swiss joins elite company with Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl and Guillermo Vilas, the only other men to have won at least 890 matches in their careers.

Federer appeared to tweak his back near the end of the match and he spoke about it to media.

“But it’s not the first time it’s happened in my career,” the Swiss said “so, I don’t know, I know how to deal with it.  I’m walking fine.  I have a day off tomorrow.  Everything is all right”

Federer notes that he’d be surprised if it kept him from playing his next match against the winner of Lleyton Hewitt versus Stan Wawwrinka.

Before Monday’s play, an earthquake struck at 9:55 a.m. near Indian Wells.

“Well, the one in New York I was in the car so I didn’t feel it, and then here today was literally the first time I ever felt one,  “ Federer said.  “For the first few seconds I wasn’t sure what was happening.

“I ran outside.  I was at the house and I didn’t know how long it was going to last, if it was going to get worse from there, or if the worst was already past.

“Thank God family wasn’t in the house.  They were outside somewhere.  It was a very strange feeling to have, because you see the windows shaking and you look up and realize you’re under a structure.  It was quite scary for a second there.”

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal who received a walkover into the round of 16, when Leonardo Mayer withdrew was startled when the earthquake hit.

“I was very scared,” he said.

“I was on the massage table preparing for my warmup.  I think the massage table moves even worse more.”

Nadal said his legs were wobbling while he was experiencing his first earthquake and it took him  “probably a half-second” to realize what was actually happening.

On Sunday Nadal hit with tournament owner Larry Ellison, the co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corp. and one of the richest men in the world.

“Yeah, is great, no?,” said Nadal who was asked about the hit.  “I played with him last year.  I had the chance to play again yesterday a little bit with him.  Always it’s a really honor.

“He’s improving a lot.  His backhand improve especially a lot from last year, so that’s great.  He changed to Babolat racquet, so…

“It means a lot for me,” the Spaniard said about playing with Ellison, “and especially for the tennis, have somebody like Larry who is supporting like this our sport.  I think is very important.  He’s great, one of the most important person of the world.  He loves tennis and support one of the best tournaments of the world.”

Ernests Gulbis by Maria Noble

Nadal will face Ernests Gulbis in the round of 16. Gulbis moved past Andreas Seppi  5‑7, 6‑3, 6‑4.

Gulis who is 0-4  against the 11-time major  champion, says he can beat him.

“I believe that I can win,” Gulbis said. “Yeah, I said it already.”

“It doesn’t ‑‑ okay, it matters if I win or not, but I want to play as much as matches as possible against these top guys.

“Sooner or later I’m going to win something, you know, it’s gonna give me extra confidence, and then just to keep it there, you know.  I need to win the guys who are ranked 20 to, I don’t know, to 100 easier than I did let’s say today, and then I need to have enough shots against the big guys.”

Share
Filed Under: Features, Front Page News, news conference, tennis news, tournament coverage, tournaments Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

BNP Paribas Showdown Debuts in Hong Kong with Wozniacki, Radwanska, McEnroe and Lendl

Wozniacki Radwanska at BNP Paribas Showdown Hong Kong

By Natalie Ho

(March 4, 2013) HONG KONG – The BNP Paribas Showdown exhibition matches held at Madison Square Garden has a new sister event this year, held 13 time zones away in Hong Kong. While Hong Kong has the same amount of sky scrapers to match the Big Apple, Hong Kong’s tennis development is a long way behind, especially after losing the city’s men’s tour event some years ago. It is therefore to local tennis lovers’ great delight that a star-studded lineup had been confirmed to play the BNP Paribas Showdown Hong Kong that is part of a marathon of tennis events held across the world today to celebrate World Tennis Day.

 

World Tennis Day is an ambitious ITF grassroots campaign aimed at popularizing tennis. The main event here in Hong Kong was the exhibition between John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl, followed by Agniezka Radwanska taking on Caroline Wozniacki. Still sidelined Li Na was originally slated to play, but World No. 4  Radwanska is an equaly matched replacement in rankings. The two close friends Waozniacki and Radwanska said in the pre-match news conference that they hadn’t had a chance to see the city. Shame that the media couldn’t get in their favorite shopping question!

 

As for the matches, they were fun, lighthearted, and an opportunity for the players to try some flashy shot making.  Old rivals Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe met on court again after 17 years, with Lendl leading their head-t0-head record 21-15. This time it was McEnroe who won the pro set match 8-5. As usual he’s good money for any exhibitions, throwing his famous tantrums, questioning line calls, complaining about bad ball bounces that got the crowd into the match. Lendl responded in kind and the two together showed off some volleys, passes, dropshots and huge forehands that earned oohs and ahhhs from the audience.

Radwanska versus Wozniacki had more intense rallies but the mood was equally flamboyant. The good friends were uninhibited when it came to trying out fancy shots. A long groundstrokes and volley exchange in practice mode drew huge applause, and the ladies offered great entertainment with their exchange, dancing and inviting an former Hong Kong  player to play. In the final game Wozniacki requested coaching from her dad. It turned out to be futile as Radwanska closed it out 6-4, 6-4.

 

Again it was all smiles at the post-match news conference. McEnroe joked that this was the most memorable match in his rivalry with Lendl, who said he hoped his pupil  Andy Murray didn’t watch this match as it was 3:30am in California. The ladies were happy to be in Hong Kong despite their short stay. So that wrapped up the Hong Kong leg of World Tennis Day’s BNP Paribas Showdown, only to be continued immediately with the activities in New York City!

This is an exhibition but it’s still interesting to hear what the ladies had to say about playing friends on court as this pretty much happens week in, week out. To this Wozniacki said, “once you’re on court it’s a fight, and you fight for your life basically, and then when you’re off the court you’re friends agains and probably an hour or two after the match you just want to cool down, but then it’s a toss.”

 

Radwanska agreed, “We’re good friends because I think we can separate our private life and tennis and when we go on court, we both focus and we both want to win and then we shake hands and we’re friends again. We’ve been friends for 15 years!”

 

Naturally there were a lot of questions for Lendl about coaching strategies for Andy Murray. In typical Lendl manner he kept it tight-lipped. “My job is to coach Andy not to assess him in public. If I have something we need to work on, or I think Andy needs to work on, we do that. I never discuss it with anyone other than Andy.”

 

World Tennis Day is about helping tennis reach a bigger audience so as to ultimately benefit the sport. On trying to find the next big thing in America, McEnroe said, “Everyone in America, as well as many other countries, are looking for that next great player and the more that the game becomes accessible to youngsters and hopefully sexy in the way for kids to want to play in America. I can’t speak for every country, but it’s not that affordable.”

 

Share
Filed Under: Contributors, Features, Front Page News, interviews, news conference, tennis news Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Radwanska Replaces an Injured Li Na in Hong Kong BNP Paribas Showdown

WTD_Logo

(February 27, 2013) HONG KONG – Wimbledon finalist and current World No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska has been announced to join the field March 4 at the BNP Paribas Showdown at Asia-World Arena in Hong Kong on World Tennis Day. Radwanska will play two-time year-end No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki following a men’s match featuring long-time rivals Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe.

 

Radwanska will replace China’s Li Na who has been forced to withdraw due to the ankle injury she sustained in last month’s Australian Open final.

 

“It is very unfortunate that Na has to pull out of the event and I know no one is more disappointed than she is, but I am very pleased to be able to welcome Agnieszka to the BNP Paribas Showdown line-up” said Jerry Solomon, Promoter of the BNP Paribas Showdown. “The very painful injury Na incurred in the final of the Australian Open last month has not responded enough to intense treatment.

 

“We send Na our best wishes for a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her next year but in the meantime we look forward to welcoming Agnieszka to Hong Kong for the Showdown.”

 

The Chinese star expressed her disappointment and said she would be back in Hong Kong to play the 2014 BNP Paribas Showdown.

 

“I am very sad to announce that I won’t be able to play in the BNP Showdown in Hong Kong,” said Li. “Unfortunately, the ankle injury I had in the Australian Open final is still not ready for me to compete. I know I have some of the best fans who live in Hong Kong and I was looking forward to playing for them. I promise I will be back next year.”

 

Radwanska owns 12 career titles, including wins already this season in Auckland and Sydney as well as a quarterfinal finish at the Australian Open.

 

“Li Na is a great ambassador for our sport in Asia and across the world so I’m very honored to be invited to Hong Kong to be her replacement,” Radwanska said. “We are both very evenly matched in the world rankings right now so I’m confident the standard of tennis will be just as high.

“Caroline and I are great friends but also long-standing rivals, so I expect a hard fought contest. I’m also looking forward to catching up with my Asian fans who are always good to me. I am really excited to get to Hong Kong and take part in the BNP Paribas Showdown.”

 

Wozniacki has a 5-4 edge in the nine career meetings between the two players, however Radwanska has won their last three matches, including earlier this month in the quarterfinals in Doha.

 

On the same night tennis legends and Hall of Famers John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl will rekindle their historic rivalry which will no doubt provide fans with plenty more thrilling tennis. Lendl won 21 of their 36 pro career meetings.

 

The BNP Paribas Showdown Hong Kong is the start of World Tennis Day, www.worldtennisday.com, which is held in conjunction with the International Tennis Federation to promote Tennis10s, which tailors the game to its youngest players with smaller racquets, lighter balls and modified scoring. The cornerstones of World Tennis Day are grassroots opportunities for young players to participate in the sport at the local level.

 

The HKTA will be hosting special clinics to introduce kids to the sport. Among the many nations participating in World Tennis Day are USA, Canada, Argentina, China P.R., Czech Republic and South Africa.

Share
Filed Under: Events, Front Page News, tennis news Tagged With: , , , , ,

Azarenka is Ready for Melbourne, Looking Forward to Madison Square Garden

Victoria Azarenka serving china Open

( January 10, 2013) MELBOURNE/NEW YORK -  Prior to her participation in the Australian Open draw in Melbourne on Friday morning, No. 1 Victoria Azarenka took time out for an international conference call to promote taking part in the BNP Paribas Showdown on March 4, 2013 in Madison Square Garden where she’ll take on Serena Williams.

Azarenka who pulled out of the Brisbane International last week due to a big toe injury says she ready to go in Melbourne: “I’m feeling really good. If you’re asking about my foot, it’s feeling much better … the last couple of days. The scary part is in the past as it happened in Brisbane. I’m really glad … I can practice full time right now.”

This will be the sixth annual BNP Paribas Showdown as part of Tennis Night in America on World Tennis Day. In the opening match, Victoria Azarenka will take on Serena Williams followed by Rafael Nadal’s return to action in the US after an injury layoff as he plays Juan Martin del Potro.

For Azarenka this will be her first time playing in “the world’s most famous arena. ” I’m very excited and once I heard about this opportunity I said yes right away, Said Azarenka. “It’s something really magical to be a part of this event and play at such an amazing facility.”

Coming into the Australian Open as the defending champion and into the 2013 season in general, is she under the pressure of expectation?

“My approach to this year is the same as every year,” said Azarenka.  “I try to do my best; you set up priorities and goals for the tournaments. I don’t really want to defend anything I’m here to try and win another title. That’s how I look at it…and at the end of the year try and get to the championships because that is the point we all know that you we are being pretty consistent throughout the whole year. My main focus and attention will be on the Grand Slams.”

“The season has started already and the Grand Slam season starts here right now. I think women’s tennis is great, competitive atmosphere right now… There are a lot of girls who can show some great tennis. For me personally, I’m very excited to be a part of this competition. As for who I have my eyes on, I’m not sure. I’ll have my eyes on the ball (laughs) and on me. The top ten and the rest of the players are the ones to watch for. I’ll be looking forward to whoever I play.

The most I’m looking forward to is having a great match and I hope the crowd enjoys it and I can’t wait to be a part of this match, Azarenka said about he future BNP Paribas Showdown match versus Serena Williams. “I visited Madison Square Garden during the US Open and it was under construction and I was absolutely amazed. As a kid you watch all those events coming up – concerts and the games and you dream about it. I have it locked in my mind and for me to actually be there will be an honor.”

The BNP Paribas Showdown is part of Tennis Night in America and the inaugural World Tennis Day.  More information about World Tennis Day events and the BNP Paribas Showdown matches in New York and Hong Kong can be found online at www.WorldTennisDay.com. The Hong Kong event will feature John McEnroe against Ivan Lendl and Caroline Wozniacki against Li Na.

Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News

Share
Filed Under: Features, Front Page News, On The Call, tennis news Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chef Pierrick Boyer Serving Taste of Tennis Down Under

Pierrick Boyer

(January 4, 2013) The Australian Open is less than two weeks away and with the anticipation of an upcoming major, Melbourne will play host many pre-tournament soirees. One of the very special events will be the Swisse Taste of Tennis – where the culinary world meets the tennis world to raise funds for charity. This is the sister event to the Taste of Tennis in New York which has kicked off the US Open for the past 13 years.

Some of the tennis players scheduled to participate in the event include Lleyton Hewitt, Max Myrni, Tamira Paszek, Ivan Lendl, Lucia Safarova, Casey Dellacqua, Anastasia and Arina Rodionova, Yaraslava Shvedova and Chanelle Scheepers.

Tennis Panorama News caught up with award-winning international pastry chef, Melbourne resident Pierrick Boyer, who will be one of the featured chefs at Taste of Tennis. Boyer has 21 years in the field working with some of the industry’s most internationally renowned chefs.

Boyer has participated in the event four times. “Let’s not forget it’s a charity event and it is one of my favorite events of the year,” Boyer emphasized. “It is fun, there is beautiful food, we talk about sports and there are great people who want to make a difference. I love giving my time for charities, tennis, food and promoting Melbourne.” Boyer is the Head Pastry Chef of Le Petit Gâteau in Melbourne.

“Yes, I am a big (tennis) fan,” Boyer said. “I’ve been to the Indian Wells Tournament, because I lived nearby for five years and, of course, the Australian Open where, luckily, I did some cooking classes for the tennis players. I had the pleasure to meet Aleksandra Wozniak, Arina and Anastasia Rodionova, Gael Monfils and Henri Leconte, Mansour Bahrami, who are fantastic to see on the court. And I used to play years ago,” Boyer said with a smile.

I asked Boyer if he thought there was a similarity between chefs and tennis players, since both have intense training and travel all over the globe. Also many of players seem to be “foodies.”

“I agree,” said Boyer.” We have this in common with some chefs who travel the world and I am lucky I can do this as well, several countries are already scheduled for my desserts making workshops overseas. But the life of a tennis player is hard as well, loads of traveling and that’s a lot of time away from home.”

As far as which tennis players he thinks would be good pastry chefs, he tips Arina Rodionova and Aleksandra Wozniak. “With a bit of practice Arina Rodionova could be because I know she enjoys my pear and almond tart. She had this for her birthday.”

“Aleksandra Wozniak really enjoyed my signature cake, the brownie passion chocolate crunch, at a previous Taste of Tennis event,” Boyer added.

So what inspired him to launch a career in the world of pastry? “At four or five years old, we were living next to a pastry shop at Croissy Sur Seine, near Saint Germain en Laye! And every time my parents were looking for me, I was next door sampling ice creams, cakes, croissants… hahaha.”

photo(5)

As far as what special dish he will be preparing for Taste of Tennis, he said “It’s a gluten free, dairy free, very healthy dessert.”

It’s a Coconut Quinoa organic blueberry, raspberry, coconut crumble. Boyer told me to enjoy it with Gold Label 2011 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay.

The Swisse Taste of Tennis takes place on January 10, 2013 at Grand Hyatt Melbourne from 7pm-10pm with an after party at Silk Road Melbourne. Tickets for the event can be purchased at http://www.swisseactivetasteoftennis.com.au

The event benefits the charities Diabetes Australia-Victoria and National Institute of Integrated Medicine (NIIM), which will receive 100% of the proceeds raised.

Follow @tasteoftennisau for more information and follow Pierrick Boyer on twitter @PierrickBoyer or his website http://www.pierrickboyer.com/.

 

Karen Pestaina is the woman behind Tennis Panorama News

Share
Filed Under: Approach Shots, Events, Features, Front Page News, tennis news Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Third Season of “World of Tennis” to Debut on Tennis Channel December 5

(November 29, 2012) NEW YORK, N.Y. – StarGames and MSG Sports have announced that the third season of “World of Tennis Presented by BNP Paribas” will debut next week. The first of seven episodes of the bi-weekly series will premiere on Tennis Channel at 7:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, December 5.

The 30-minute show will feature “Holding Court,” a profile segment hosted by Justin Gimelstob that this year will include interviews with tennis legends Jimmy Connors and Boris Becker as well as Olympic gold medal skier and tennis fan Lindsay Vonn. In the first two years of the show, Gimelstob’s guests included Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick and “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson.

The hot topics of tennis will also be covered on each episode during a round table discussion with Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Jon Wertheim and the editorial staff at Tennis.com.

Tennis Channel will debut a new episode of the magazine show every other Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. EST, until February 27. Each show will then re-air on Tennis Channel.

“We’re happy to have the new season of World of Tennis back on Tennis Channel again,” said David Scott, vice president, programming, Tennis Channel. “Since its inception the series has allowed our viewers to get an insider’s look at some of the most exciting players and pressing issues in the sport today.”

The season finale on February 27 will be a preview of World Tennis Day, which includes BNP Paribas Showdown events in New York City and Hong Kong on March 4. The sixth annual event in New York at Madison Square Garden is part of Tennis Night in America (TNIA) and will feature Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams, Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal. TNIA is an annual celebration of the sport in the United States which encourages 10-and-under tennis.

The BNP Paribas Showdown at AsiaWorld-Arena will mark the event’s first year in Hong Kong and will feature Li Na, Caroline Wozniacki, Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe.

“There is a lot of tennis on television, but I think ‘World of Tennis’ separates itself as a unique look at the personalities and stories in the game,” said Jerry Solomon, executive producer and president of StarGames. “It is only possible to present this show with the help of our partners at MSG and BNP Paribas. Collectively, we want to present tennis to the widest possible audience, and this show is a chance to not only showcase tennis but also to give fans a real inside look at the stories and personalities that make the game so compelling.”

Long-time tennis producer Jennie Silverstein will produce “World of Tennis Presented by BNP Paribas” for StarGames and MSG Sports. BNP Paribas, a leader in banking and financial services and the world No. 1 tennis partner, will be presenting sponsor, with additional support being provided by Tennis Magazine, Wilson, Getty Images, USTA, Tennis Night in America and the BNP Paribas Showdown.

Video highlights and uncut versions of the interviews from “World of Tennis Presented by BNP Paribas” are found on www.stargamesinc.com.

More information on the BNP Paribas Showdown events in New York and Hong Kong can be found on www.worldtennisday.com.

Share
Filed Under: Events, Front Page News, tennis news Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Li Na, Wozniacki Featured as Hong Kong Plays Host BNP Paribas Showdown on World Tennis Day

(November 21, 2012) HONG KONG – Li Na, Asia’s first Grand Slam champion, will take on two-time year-end world No. 1 and Grand Slam finalist Caroline Wozniacki while eight-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl will renew his rivalry with John McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, during the BNP Paribas Showdown on March 4 at the AsiaWorld-Arena in Hong Kong.

The BNP Paribas Showdown will be produced by StarGames, Inc., in conjunction with the Hong Kong Tennis Association. It marks the first time the AsiaWorld-Arena has played host to such an international tennis event.

“Once more, BNP Paribas is proud to bring the best of tennis to Asia by supporting this outstanding sporting event, as it does with the same acclaimed tennis event in New York. We are excited to share our passion and enthusiasm for tennis with the fans in Hong Kong” said Paul Yang, Chief Executive Officer for BNP Paribas Hong Kong. “The BNP Paribas Showdown gives the bank a perfect opportunity to accelerate the growing awareness of our brand in Asia and it reaffirms our commitment and loyalty to this region and to this sport”.

The matches will take place the same night as an event with the same name is held at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of the first annual “World Tennis Day.” Serena Williams will play Victoria Azarenka in the first match in New York, followed by Rafael Nadal against Juan Martin del Potro.

“With five successful years of the BNP Paribas Showdown in New York, the time is right to expand this to a global event with the World Tennis Day platform,” said Jerry Solomon, executive producer and president of StarGames. “The popularity of tennis in Asia made it natural for us to pursue an event in this region. Hong Kong is proving to be a fantastic partner, and BNP Paribas, as the world’s biggest sponsor of tennis, is the perfect title sponsor.

“I am excited to see this group of four players who will put on a great show. Lendl, McEnroe and Wozniacki have each played for us at the BNP Paribas Showdown in New York in front of crowds of over 17,000 at Madison Square Garden and we now welcome Li Na to the group for the first time. The AsiaWorld-Arena will be the place to be on March 4.”

Li finished 2012 ranked No. 7 on the WTA Tour. The 30-year-old from China owns six career titles, highlighted by her historic victory at the 2011 French Open. She reached the final at four WTA Premier events in 2012, winning the title in Cincinnati.

“For me it is always exciting to play in Asia,” said Li. “I hope to have the crowd support in this match. It will be a great night for tennis, and hopefully it gets more people playing the game.”

Wozniacki is second among active players for weeks ranked No. 1 with 67, including year-end finishes as No. 1 in 2010 and 2011. She finished 2012 ranked No. 10, her fourth straight Top 10 season. The 22-year-old from Denmark is fourth among active players with 20 career titles, including 2012 wins in Seoul and Moscow.

“It’s great to have the chance to play in Hong Kong again,” said Wozniacki. “It’s also exciting to be part of the first World Tennis Day. I hope it’s successful in getting more kids playing around the world.”

Li has a 3-2 head-to-head edge in their series, though Wozniacki won their only 2012 meeting, which came in Tokyo in October. In 2011, Wozniacki was a straight set winner over Li in the Hong Kong Tennis Classic. They will play a best-of-three set match at the BNP Paribas Showdown.

Lendl won 94 titles in his career and was the No. 1 ranked ATP player for 270 weeks. He reached the final at 19 Grand Slam tournaments in his career, winning a total of eight titles. He had 13 Top 10 seasons. At the ATP tournament in Hong Kong, Lendl won the title in 1980. He then won consecutive Marlboro Championship titles from 1990-92.

“I have always enjoyed playing in Hong Kong. It is a place with a lot of good memories including one of my first ever wins on the pro tour. I will look forward to playing John in the BNP Paribas Showdown which has been a great event in New York and I am sure will be just as popular in Hong Kong.”

McEnroe, who played in the 2011 Hong Kong Tennis Classic, spent 170 weeks ranked No. 1 while winning 77 career singles titles. He reached the final at 11 Grand Slam tournaments, winning seven titles. In his career, he had 10 seasons with Top 10 finishes.

“I’m happy be a part of an event like World Tennis Day that gets juniors playing our sport,” McEnroe said. “The Tennis 10s programmes with 10-and-under rules that are now in place make it easier than ever for kids to participate.”

Lendl and McEnroe played 36 times over 12 years on the ATP circuit, with Lendl holding a 21-15 advantage in the series. Both Lendl and McEnroe have been enshrined at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. They will play an eight-game pro-set at the BNP Paribas Showdown.

World Tennis Day is held in conjunction with the International Tennis Federation to promote Tennis10s, which tailors the game to its youngest players with smaller racquets, lighter balls and modified scoring. The cornerstones of World Tennis Day are grassroots opportunities for young players to participate in the sport at the local level. The day is highlighted by the BNP Paribas Showdown events in New York and Hong Kong.

“World Tennis Day and the BNP Paribas Showdown will bring more attention to Tennis Play and Stay and Tennis10s, two programmes with proven success in growing participation,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. “World Tennis Day will give the ITF and our member nations an opportunity to showcase their efforts to grow tennis, while fans can also enjoy some of the game’s brightest stars playing in events like the BNP Paribas Showdown.”

The BNP Paribas Showdown in Hong Kong will be broadcast internationally. Details of the telecasts will be announced at a later date.

Share
Filed Under: Events, Front Page News, tennis news Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ivan Lendl Honored with Davis Cup Award of Excellence

(November 18, 2012) NEWPORT, R.I.  - The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) are pleased to announce that Ivan Lendl, who was an integral member of the Czechoslovakian Davis Cup team before becoming an American citizen, is the recipient of the 2012 Davis Cup Award of Excellence. The award was presented today in Prague, in a special ceremony at the 2012 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Final between Czech Republic and Spain. The award was presented by ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti and Geoff Pollard, a member of the Board of Directors of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum and the former president and chairman of Tennis Australia.

“The Czech Republic has been one of the most successful teams in Davis Cup World Group history, and Ivan Lendl is undoubtedly one of its most influential and inspiring team members. We are pleased to recognize Ivan’s contributions to the competition by honoring him with the 2012 Davis Cup Award of Excellence,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti.

Each year since 2001, the ITF and the Hall of Fame have presented the Davis Cup Award of Excellence to a person who represents the ideals and spirit of the Davis Cup competition. It is presented to a person who has been an active member of a past or present Davis Cup team.

 

Lendl competed for eight consecutive years on the Czechoslovakian team, from 1978 – 1985. In 1980, he led the team to its only Davis Cup title, defeating Italy in the final in Prague after a major upset over Argentina in the semifinals. He also helped his country reach the semifinals in 1984 and 1985. During his Davis Cup years, Lendl was always a key component of the Czech team and he recorded a winning record of 22-15 overall, winning 18 singles matches and 4 doubles matches.

 

Often regarded among the greatest tennis players in the history of the game, Lendl was ranked world No. 1 for 270 weeks. He won eight Grand Slam titles over the course of his career, and an incredible total of 94 singles titles. He was known for his discipline and drive, and he brought a higher level of awareness for the importance of fitness to the sport. Lendl was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2001.

 

Past recipients of the Davis Cup Award of Excellence have been Emilio Sanchez of Spain in 2011; Slobodan Zivojinovic of Serbia in 2010; Manuel Orantes of Spain in 2009; Guillermo Vilas of Argentina in 2008; Stan Smith of the United States in 2007; Alex Metreveli of Georgia in 2006; Miloslav Mecir of Slovak Republic and Goran Ivanisevic of Croatia in 2005; Manolo Santana of Spain in 2004; John Newcombe of Australia in 2003; Pierre Darmon of France in 2002; and Neale Fraser of Australia in 2001.

 

Share
Filed Under: Features, Front Page News, tennis news Tagged With: , , , ,

Martin to Replace Lendl PowerShares Sereis Event in San Jose

NEW YORK, NY (November 8, 2012) — The PowerShares Series has announced that Todd Martin will replace an injured Ivan Lendl in the BILT Champions Showdown to be held at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California on Friday, November 16, 2012.

Martin, a former Davis Cup Champion, will join John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, and Jim Courier in the four-man showdown event. Martin will take on McEnroe in the first semifinal while Agassi and Courier will square off in the second semifinal, with the winners meeting in the championship match.

“I am excited to have the chance to compete in San Jose,” said Martin. “I really enjoy the PowerShares Series and hopefully – just like last season in Minneapolis – I can step in and win one of these events.”

Lendl is suffering from a shoulder injury that will prevent him from competing in San Jose. “I was really looking forward to returning to play in Northern California,” said Lendl. “I have some great memories from playing there at Barry Mackay’s events. I am sure this will be another great night on the PowerShares Series tour and I hope to return to play there in 2013.”

The 2012 PowerShares Series is in action Friday night in Tampa, Florida with the Champions Challenge at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, and will continue in Atlanta, Georgia Saturday night with the Champions Shootout at the Gwinnett Center. of 30, created in 2005 by InsideOut Sports + Entertainment, the New York based firm which is co-owned and operated by former SFX executive Jon Venison and former world No. 1 Jim Courier.

Share
Filed Under: Events, Front Page News, tennis news Tagged With: , , , ,
«Older Posts