NEW YORK, N.Y. – John McEnroe will have to get by Jim Courier, Wayne Ferreira and Jeff Tarango if he wants to play for a second title at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Tennis Championships in Surprise, Ariz., as tournament officials have released the round-robin groupings and schedule of play.
McEnroe, who defeated Todd Martin in 2008 final in Surprise, will open round round-robin play on Thursday, October 21 against Ferreira. On Friday, October 22, he will take on Tarango in a Friday night grudge match, while on Saturday, Oct. 23 he will face against former U.S. Davis Cup teammate Courier.
Michael Chang, the 1989 French Open champion, and Mark Philippoussis, the 2003 Wimbledon finalist, headline the other round-robin grouping in Surprise. Philippoussis will open up play at the event on Wednesday October 20 against former top 10 star Aaron Krickstein. Chang will kick off play on Thursday, October 21 against former U.S. Davis Cupper Jimmy Arias.
Former Wimbledon semifinalist Anna Kournikova and former U.S. Fed Cup standout Ashley Harkleroad will participate in special mixed doubles matches during the tournament. The full schedule of play is as follows:
Wednesday, October 20
Starting at 7 pm
Mark Philippoussis vs. Aaron Krickstein
Followed by
Jim Courier vs. Jeff Tarango
Thursday, October 21
Starting at 7 pm
Michael Chang vs. Jimmy Arias
Followed by
John McEnroe vs. Wayne Ferreira
Friday, October 22
Starting at 2 pm
Mark Philippoussis vs. Jimmy Arias
Followed by
Michael Chang vs. Aaron Krickstein
Starting at 7 pm
Jim Courier vs. Wayne Ferreira
Followed by
John McEnroe vs. Jeff Tarango
Saturday, October 23
Starting at Noon
Jimmy Arias vs. Aaron Krickstein
Followed by
Anna Kournikova/Jeff Tarango vs. Ashley Harkleroad/Wayne Ferreira
Followed by
Michael Chang vs. Mark Philippoussis
Starting at 7 pm
John McEnroe vs. Jim Courier
Followed by
Anna Kournikova/Jimmy Arias vs. Ashley Harkleroad/Aaron Krickstein
Followed by
Wayne Ferreira vs. Jeff Tarango
Sunday, October 24
Starting at Noon
Third Place Match
Followed by
Championship Match
The Cancer Treatment Centers of America Tennis Championships is a third-year event on the Champions Series tennis circuit, the New York-based global tennis circuit for champion tennis players age 30 and over. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex, 14469 W. Paradise Lane and also online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
To be eligible to compete on the Champions Series, players must have reached at least a major singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team. Each event features $150,000 in prize money – with the tournament champion earning $60,000 – and ranking points that determine the year-end No. 1. Courier finished the 2009 season as the top-ranked player on the Champions Series, followed by Pete Sampras and Todd Martin.
Former U.S. and Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis defeated John McEnroe to win the Staples Champions Cup in Boston in May and take over the No. 1 Champions Series ranking. Former French Open semifinalist Fernando Meligeni of Brazil was the surprise winner of the opening event on the 2010 Champions Series, winning the title in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil by defeating Philippoussis in the final.
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InsideOut Sports + Entertainment is a New York City-based independent producer of proprietary events and promotions founded in 2004 by former world No. 1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. In 2005, InsideOut launched its signature property, the Champions Series tennis circuit, a collection of tournaments featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. In addition, InsideOut produces many other successful events including “Legendary Night” exhibitions, charity events, corporate outings and tennis fantasy camps such as the annual “Ultimate Fantasy Camp”. Through 2009, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment events have raised over $4 million for charity. For more information, please log on to www.InsideOutSE.com or www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
About Cancer Treatment Centers of America®
Founded in 1988, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) provides a comprehensive, patient-centered treatment model that fully integrates traditional, state-of-the-art medical treatments with scientifically supported complementary therapies such as nutrition, naturopathic medicine, psychological counseling, physical therapy, chiropractic care and spiritual support to meet the special, whole-person needs of advanced stage cancer patients. With a network of cancer treatment hospitals and community oncology programs in Arizona, Illinois, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Washington, CTCA encourages patients and their families to participate in treatment decisions with its Patient Empowerment MedicineSM model. For more information about Cancer Treatment Centers of America, go to cancercenter.com.