2013/05/23

McEnroe: Serena Williams and Nadal Have to Beat Themselves to Lose at French Open

FM_MCENROE_TC_07_001

(May 20, 2013) – John McEnroe agrees with the vast majority of tennis prognosticators that Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal are heavy favorites to win the upcoming French Open.

McEnroe spoke to media on Monday, ahead of next weeks’ French Open on a Tennis Channel conference call. McEnroe has served as an analyst for the network’s French Open coverage since 2007.

Asked about the chances of Serena being upset, McEnroe said:”I mean it’s been done before.  I’ve done it myself, but you sort of have to beat yourself.  The level she’s at when she’s playing well, I don’t think anybody can beat her.  Anybody, no matter great they are, everybody has bad days.
“On clay, it’s her worst surface.  The odds would increase.  The pressure is greater obviously at the French because she’s only won it once.  I would say at some stage in the event, it would be likely that she won’t have one of her best days.  Depending on her opponent that day, someone might have a shot at her.”

McEnroe is impressed with Nadal’s comeback after being off the tour for seven months.

“It seems like he’s barely lost anything, if at all,” McEnroe said.  “Right now he seems to be finally, he says, playing the best he’s been playing the whole year, which is sort of frightening for the other players.
“Unless something happens that’s unforeseen, it would be pretty hard‑pressed to make an argument for anyone other than Djokovic to beat him.  It would have to be one of those swing‑for‑the‑fences type players like Soderling was that one year, and the conditions would have to be extremely heavy so his ball wouldn’t have the type of jump it normally does.”

Coming into the French Open, both Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal are on win streaks. World No. 1 Williams has won 24 straight matches which include Miami, Charleson, Madrid and Rome titles. Nadal, whose ranking has moved up to No. 4 this week, has captured his last three tournaments – Barcelona, Madrid and Rome.

The French Open begins on May 26.

 

Related story:

Tennis Channel Announces 2013 French Open Broadcast Schedule

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Tennis Hall Of Famers John McEnroe, Jim Courier To Compete In Mylan WTT Matchup July 22 To Benefit Johnny Mac Tennis Project

John McEnroe

John McEnroe

NEW YORK, May 16, 2013 – Former World No. 1 players, Davis Cup standouts and International Tennis Hall of Famers John McEnroe and Jim Courier will battle it out on the Sportime Stadium hard court on Monday, July 22nd, as the NY Sportimes take on the Texas Wild in a Mylan World TeamTennis matchup. The annual night benefiting the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP) will also feature fellow Hall of Famer and Mylan WTT Co-Founder Billie Jean King in celebration of the 40th anniversary year of her historic matchup with Bobby Riggs in the famed “Battle of the Sexes.” The match begins at 7:30 p.m. on Randall’s Island.

JMTP provides scholarships, coaching, transportation and other financial assistance to qualified young tennis players in the greater New York area. JMTP benefit nights in previous years have featured the likes of Bjorn Borg (2011) and Andre Agassi (2012). JMTP and SPORTIME Clubs, home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, have already provided over $1M in scholarships and no cost programming to young players in NYC and its communities.

JMTP scholarship recipients attend the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, which is completing its third year at Sportime Randall’s Island. Ticket prices for the July 22nd match will be $75, $150 and $300, with additional special VIP packages also available; please consult your tax advisor concerning the tax deductibility of ticket and package purchases. Tickets for the JMTP benefit night on July 22nd and for the NY Sportimes home match vs. the Washington Kastles at Randall’s Island on July 23rd can be purchased by calling 1-888-WTT-NYC1 or by visiting www.nysportimes.com. The July 23rd match is also benefiting JMTP and features former Sportime, and soon-to-be enshrined International Hall of Fame inductee, Martina Hingis, playing for Washington. Purchasers of tickets to the July 22nd match may elect to receive a ticket to the following night’s match for $1.00.

“Jim Courier has meant so much to American tennis, and we couldn’t be more pleased that he and the Texas Wild will be the opponent for this special night,” said Sportime Clubs and NY Sportimes CEO Claude Okin. “To have two of our country’s all-time premier players and tennis ambassadors in Jim and in our own Captain and leader, John McEnroe, will make for a very competitive and entertaining evening, but most importantly will ultimately help so many children in New York.”

“The JMTP Benefit night is a highlight of the year for me and for the Johnny Mac Tennis Project,” said McEnroe. “My commitment is stronger than ever to the youth of New York, and just as Bjorn and Andre helped make the evening special in years past, getting to compete against Jim again will, I hope, pump people up about American tennis – past and future.”

“I am honored and excited to be participating in this benefit, and to help John do what he is doing in his home town of New York City,” said Courier. “I live in NYC and I practice at SPORTIME so I see what John and his Academy are accomplishing there. I wanted to do my part to support John’s efforts in furthering the development of American tennis and young players in NYC.”

The night will also be part of a year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of the “Battle of the Sexes” match between King and Riggs, which took place in Houston on Sept. 20, 1973. The spectacle, won by King in straight sets, is often cited as a turning point towards females earning equality in many aspects of American life.

The Sportimes open their Mylan World TeamTennis home schedule on July 9 vs. Springfield (featuring Andy Roddick for Springfield) at SEFCU Arena in Albany, N.Y. New York will play four other matches in Albany, on July 12, 15 (featuring Sloane Stephens for Philadelphia), 16 and 18 (featuring McEnroe vs. Orange County) and the aforementioned two at Sportime Stadium (July 22nd vs. Texas, July 23rd vs. Washington, featuring former Sportimes star Martina Hingis).

Conference championships are scheduled for Thursday, July 25th, at the higher of the top two seeds in each conference, and the season concludes with the Mylan WTT Finals presented by GEICO, on Sunday, July 28th, at the site of the Eastern Conference champion.

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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.

 

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McEnroe To Return To Sportimes for 2013 WTT Season

NEW YORK, March 11, 2013 – Five home dates at SEFCU Arena in Albany, N.Y., and two at Sportime Stadium at Randall’s Island, Manhattan, highlight the New York Sportimes 2013 Mylan WTT Pro League match schedule, league and team officials announced today. Team captain and Tennis Hall of Famer John McEnroe will compete in three matches for the Sportimes, including one each in Albany and at Randall’s Island. U.S. Open Champion, Andy Roddick is added to the premier players that will compete against the Sportimes at Albany’s SEFCU arena.

The regular season runs July 7-24, with conference championships scheduled for Thursday, July 25, and concludes with the Mylan WTT Finals presented by GEICO, on Sunday, July 28.

The five home dates in Albany are Thursday, July 9 vs. Springfield (featuring Andy Roddick); Friday, July 12 vs Philadelphia; Monday, July 15 vs. Philadelphia (featuring Sloane Stephens); Tuesday, July 16 vs. Boston; and Thursday, July 18 vs. Orange County (featuring McEnroe for the Sportimes). The two Randall’s Island matches are scheduled for Monday, July 22 vs. Texas and Tuesday, July 23 vs. Washington. McEnroe will be playing at Randall’s Island on one of those nights, which will be a special night to raise funds for the Johnny Mac Tennis Project. Additional special guests are expected to be announced along with the final date for McEnroe’s NYC appearance in the coming days.

The Sportimes will also play seven road matches during the season. McEnroe is scheduled to compete at Philadelphia on July 24. The Sportimes will complete their player lineup when the Mylan WTT Roster Draft is held March 12 in Indian Wells, Calif. In 2012, the Sportimes had another outstanding 2012 Mylan WTT season, qualifying for the playoffs by finishing second in the Eastern Conference.

The Sportimes’ 2013 partners include Adecco, DecoTurf, Geico, Mylan, USTA, Wilson, Price Chopper, Times Union, GE, UB Group, Northeast Orthopaedics, Copeland, Albany ENT, Clearly Yours, 15-Love, Ophthalmic Con., NAI Platform, USTA Northern, University of Albany Foundation, Albany Massage, Hilton Garden Inn and Lang Media.

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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.”

 

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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.

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Andy Roddick, Sloane Stephens Lead World TeamTennis Player Draft

AndyRoddick

(February 12, 2013) NEW YORK, N.Y. – Andy Roddick is returning to the tennis
courts this summer.

The former world number one was the top pick in Tuesday’s World
TeamTennis Marquee Draft. Roddick, who first started with Mylan WTT in
2000, will play for the Springfield Lasers. This will be Roddick’s 7th
Mylan WTT season and his first since 2010.

“I first played World TeamTennis when I was just starting out and have
played throughout my career so I’m excited to be back,” said Roddick. “I’ve
always liked the competition and the fan energy. I love being on a team and
am looking forward to playing for the Springfield Lasers this July.”

Sloane Stephens, a young American who is currently ranked No. 17 on the WTA
Tour, was selected by the Philadelphia Freedoms with their first-round pick.
The 20-year-old Stephens first played Mylan World TeamTennis in 2009 as part
of an all-amateur USTA team.

The newest Mylan WTT franchise, Texas Wild, will bring the world’s best
doubles team to their new home court in Irving, Texas. The Wild, who
relocated to Texas this year after 20 seasons in Kansas City, protected the
rights to Bob and Mike Bryan who are back for their 11th season.

Venus Williams, who led the Washington Kastles to their second straight
undefeated season and championship title in 2012, returns to the nation’s
capital for her 10th Mylan WTT season. The three-time champion Kastles will
be taking a 32-match win streak into their 2013 season opener.

Two of the top Americans on the ATP Tour will once again play for the
Sacramento Capitals. The Caps protected their rights to Sam Querrey and
Mardy Fish. Querrey is ranked No. 20 on the ATP Tour and Fish is No. 32.

In a trade completed prior to Tuesday’s draft, the Boston Lobsters acquired
the rights to Mark Philippoussis from the Philadelphia Freedoms.

Teams will complete their lineups next month when the Mylan WTT Roster Draft
is held March 12 in Indian Wells, Calif. Dates for all Mylan WTT matches
will be announced during the week of March 4 when the 2013 schedule is
released.

Each of the eight teams will play 14 matches – seven home, seven away.
Eastern Conference teams are the Boston Lobsters, New York Sportimes,
Philadelphia Freedoms and Washington Kastles. Western Conference teams are
Orange County Breakers, Sacramento Capitals, Springfield Lasers and Texas
Wild.

The eight teams will compete in two conferences during the regular season
which concludes on Wednesday, July 24. The top two teams from both the
Western and Eastern Conference advance to the 2013 Mylan WTT Conference
Championships which will be hosted on Thursday, July 25 by the top-seeded
team in each Conference. The 2013 Mylan WTT Finals will be contested on the
home court of the Eastern Conference Champions.

Mylan WTT Marquee Draft Selections (in Draft order)
1. SPRINGFIELD LASERS: Andy Roddick (1st round selection)
2. TEXAS WILD: Bob and Mike Bryan (1st round protection)
3. BOSTON LOBSTERS: Mark Philippoussis (1st round protection -
acquired rights via pre-Draft trade with Philadelphia Freedoms)
4. PHILADELPHIA FREEDOMS: Sloane Stephens (1st round selection)
5. ORANGE COUNTY BREAKERS: no Marquee Player selection
6. NEW YORK SPORTIMES: no Marquee Player selection
7. SACRAMENTO CAPITALS: Mardy Fish (1st round protection); Sam Querrey
(2nd round protection)
8. WASHINGTON KASTLES: Venus Williams (2nd round protection)

Marquee Player Matches (dates TBD when schedule is released in early March;
additional visits could be added before season):

BOSTON LOBSTERS: Mark Philippoussis (3 matches).

NEW YORK SPORTIMES: Visiting players are Andy Roddick (Springfield Lasers)
and Sloane Stephens (Philadelphia Freedoms) for one match each in Albany,
N.Y.

ORANGE COUNTY BREAKERS: Visiting players are Bob and Mike Bryan (Texas
Wild), and Andy Roddick (Springfield Lasers)
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOMS: Sloane Stephens (2 home matches). Visiting players
are Bob and Mike Bryan (Texas Wild) and Andy Roddick (Springfield Lasers).
SACRAMENTO CAPITALS: Mardy Fish (2-3 home matches); Sam Querrey (3rd week

of season). Visiting players are Bob and Mike Bryan (Texas Wild).
SPRINGFIELD LASERS: Andy Roddick (1 home match). Visiting player is Sloane
Stephens (Philadelphia Freedoms).
TEXAS WILD: Bob and Mike Bryan (1 home match). Visiting player is Venus
Williams (Washington Kastles).
WASHINGTON KASTLES: Venus Williams (1 home match). Visiting player is Andy
Roddick (Springfield Lasers).

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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

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Agassi Claims Final PowerShares Series Event of Year; Courier Wins Year-End Points Title

(November 30, 2012) ANAHEIM, CA – Andre Agassi won his third PowerShares Series event of the season when he dispatched hometown favorite and Orange County’s own Michael Chang, 8-4 in the championship match of the Acura Champions Cup at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

 

“It’s a real blessing for all of us guys that grew up together to be playing out here on this platform, and to give back to the game that has given us so much,” said Agassi, in front of an adoring Southern California crowd. “Regardless of how we finish, we all have a great time competing against one another, and I really enjoyed the PowerShares Series again this season. I look forward to coming back in 2013.”

 

Agassi closed out the evening and the 2012 Series in dramatic style, as he and Chang waged a ferocious battle with Agassi leading 7-4, and on the verge of winning the event. With Chang serving, Agassi failed to convert 10 match points, as Chang did everything he could to stay alive. But on the 11th attempt, Agassi secured the victory when he forced Chang into a backhand error.

 

In the evening’s first semifinal, Chang played inspired tennis in front of his friends and family, as he beat Courier, 6-4. In the second semifinal, Agassi was in control from the beginning and spoiled John McEnroe’s chance at winning the overall points title, with a 6-2 triumph. Had McEnroe won the event tonight, he would have secured the #1 ranking for the season and the $500,000 first prize, which went to Courier.

 

For all news, scores, and stories regarding the entire 2012 PowerShares Series, log on to www.powersharesseries.com.

TONIGHT’S SCORES
Semifinal 1: Chang def. Courier, 6-4
Semifinal 2: Agassi def. McEnroe, 6-2
Final: Agassi def. Chang, 8-4

FINAL 2012 POWERSHARES SERIES RANKINGS
1. Courier 1500
2. *Agassi 1400
3. McEnroe 1400
4. Sampras 1100
5. Rafter 800
6. Chang 700
7. Lendl 400
8. Martin 200
Wilander 200
* Agassi wins tiebreaker on head-to-head record

 

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McEnroe Grabs Second PowerShares Series Title of Season in Denver

(November 29, 2012) DENVER – John McEnroe rose to the occasion and played some of his best tennis of the 2012 PowerShares Series season when he fought back from a 6-5 deficit to win the last three games to beat Michael Chang, 8-6 in the finals of the Jeep Championships, presented by Cancer Treatment Centers of America at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO.

 

McEnroe’s victory allowed him to gain 200 points and move within 100 of Series leader Jim Courier, heading into the final event of the year Friday night in Anaheim. McEnroe will need to win again in order to steal the title from Courier.

 

“I had some great crowd support tonight, and that really fired me up,” said McEnroe. “The ball bounces a little differently here in Denver’s thin air, but it’s really big for me to get this win. I’ll be pretty pumped to play again tomorrow night, with the whole season on the line.”

 

In the evening’s first semifinal, McEnroe got off to a great start by breaking Jim Courier’s serve and survived a grinding back and forth tussle to advance with a 6-4 triumph. For McEnroe, it was just his second victory over Courier in six tries on the 2012 PowerShares Series.

 

In the second semifinal, Michael Chang played the spoiler role by erasing any chance that Andre Agassi had of winning the year-end points title, when he managed to get past Agassi in a tense tiebreaker, 7-6 (9-7). The two players waged a fierce, back-and-forth battle en route to the breaker, and Agassi was able to hold off three match points, before the fourth finally got him. It was Chang’s first trip to the finals of the 2012 season.

 

The 2012 PowerShares Series reaches its conclusion Friday night, November 30 with the same four players in action, when they take the court for the Acura Champions Cup at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. Agassi will need to win his semifinal match against John McEnroe, in order to pass Pete Sampras and finish among the top three of the point standings and receive a share of the $1,000,000 PowerShares Series purse. McEnroe can take the year end title with another win in Anaheim but if he is unable to grab the title, Courier will finish the season as the #1 ranked player and collect the $500,000 first prize.

 

For news, scores, and stories regarding the entire 2012 PowerShares Series, log on to www.powersharesseries.com.

TONIGHT’S SCORES
Semifinal 1: McEnroe def. Courier, 6-4
Semifinal 2: Chang def. Agassi, 7-6 (9-7)
Final: McEnroe def. Chang, 8-6

UPDATED 2012 POWERSHARES SERIES RANKINGS
1. Courier 1500
2. McEnroe 1400
3. Sampras 1100
4. Agassi 1000
5. Rafter 800
6. Chang 600
7. Lendl 400
8. Martin 200
Wilander 200

On the Web

www.powersharesseries.com

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