News
Yes We're Serious: McEnroe Headlines WTC 2010
John McEnroe, a 17-time Grand Slam winner, will headline the player list at the World Tennis Challenge 2010, to be held in Adelaide from 12 to 14 January.
Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says it’s a coup for South Australia and Australian tennis.
McEnroe, representing the Americas, will be joined at the event by past legends and current champions including Australasia’s Pat Cash and Europe’s Henri Leconte.
“The World Tennis Challenge is the perfect addition to South Australia’s sporting events line-up and reinforces Adelaide’s reputation for hosting outstanding sporting events.
“This is the second year the World Tennis Challenge will be staged in Adelaide and for the second year we will see an absolutely stellar player line-up, combining the charisma of former champions such as John McEnroe and Pat Cash with the energy and competitive spirit of today’s up and coming players.
“With competitors of this standard, the 2010 World Tennis Challenge promises to be an outstanding tournament.
“However, the event not only provides plenty of world class action for spectators, it’s also the motivation behind the associated Be Active Challenge, which last year attracted more than 2,100 amateurs into a community based tennis challenge of their own.”
John McEnroe, arguably the game’s biggest personality, will be playing exclusively in Adelaide during his visit to Australia.
“World Tennis Challenge was a huge success last year and I can’t wait to play for the Americas team in 2010,” he says.
“I can't wait to play in Adelaide. I have fond memories of the city and the people and I think the
combination of the legends and current players competing against each other is a fantastic idea.
“The concept of World Tennis Challenge and the amateur tennis festival that plays around it is a great idea and one that I can’t wait to be a part of.”
Today, five of the team players as well as the wildcard player were announced at Memorial Drive.
McEnroe will partner Robby Ginepri, a former top 15 player and three-time ATP singles title winner, representing the Americas region.
In another coup for the event Radek Stepanek, currently ranked 14 in the world, has signed on for his first World Tennis Challenge. With the new alignment of regions he will represent the International team, with the legend player still to be announced.
Tournament Co-Director Mark Woodforde thanked the South Australian Government for its continuing support of the World Tennis Challenge.
“The assistance of the South Australian Government and the South Australian Tourism Commission has been absolutely crucial to bringing John McEnroe to Adelaide for the 2010 World Tennis Challenge and to the ongoing success of the event.
“I am also thrilled that Radek Stepanek has agreed to play in the event in Adelaide.
“Radek is a world class player who has consistently been in the top 20 over many years. It is great to have someone of his calibre in the event and we look forward to naming his partner in the coming weeks.”
The Australasia region will again feature legendary Australian Pat Cash. The former Wimbledon Champion loved the first World Tennis Challenge and did not hesitate to sign up again for 2010.
The European team named flamboyant Frenchman Henri Leconte earlier this year as its tennis legend. Leconte was a fan favourite in 2009 entertaining the crowd with his flair and skills.
The World Tennis Challenge will be staged at Adelaide’s Memorial Drive courts from January 12 to 14, 2010.
The WTC is a team competition between four international regions featuring one legend and one current player from each zone.
The four teams for 2010 will represent: Australasia, Europe, the Americas and an International zone.
