Background
World Tennis Challenge is a unique and innovative concept presented by a consortium of high profile tennis players. Jim Courier, Darren Cahill, Mark Woodforde and Roger Rasheed are some of the people involved in presenting the future of tennis entertainment to the public.
This world first was born and developed in Adelaide. In 2009 the public responded with full Corporate Hospitality and great crowds over the three nights, including a sell out on Friday night.
The concept was developed from a need for tennis to showcase its ‘star power’ in a festive but competitive environment. Embracing the nostalgia of the legend players and the aggression displayed by today’s greats, WTC brings a unique team atmosphere to one of the most popular participation sports in the world.
Played over three nights at the iconic Memorial Drive, we aim to deliver a premier sporting experience.
Four countries/regions will compete against each other over three nights at Memorial Drive. Each team consists of one current player and one tennis legend. The format will see the two current players compete, followed by the past players and then all players will take the court for a doubles showdown.
World Tennis Challenge delivers matches on two courts simultaneously, with all teams and players in action each night. This will provide a unique, festival atmosphere which encourages the crowd to get involved. This is one of the few events where you are close enough to the players to feel a part of the action!
Match Formats
1st match:
Two current players compete in a best of two sets singles with a super tiebreak for the third set if required.
2nd match:
Two past players compete in a pro-set. First to 8 games, tiebreak at 7 games all.
3rd match:
Doubles match between the two pairs (current and past player) in a one set doubles shootout with a super tiebreak if required. There will be no-advantage scoring in the doubles.
Quotes from the public
It seems everyone is talking about WTC:
"WOW - Just want to congratulate everyone on a superb event. It was unique and so entertaining to watch (bring these guys back next year!!) and was a great advertisement for Adelaide and tennis Australia. Well done!! It was fabulous!!! I look forward to 2010"
Cheers
Michele
"I had the good fortune to be channel hopping last Thursday night and happened to land on Fox Sports and the last half hour of your tournament. I so enjoyed it that I watched the whole night on Friday.I had not really heard or read anything about this series, but am so glad I discovered it. It was the most entertaining TV I have seen for months. We got some excellent tennis from the old and new pros and also some great laughs - Henri Leconte should be on the stage! It was terrific to see some volleying tennis instead of the current baseline prominence. Lets hope that this is just the beginning to a long and successful event. Congratulations to the guys behind the event and good luck for the future"
Regards
Helen from Melbourne
