SURPRISE, Ariz., Oct. 9, 2009 – Andre Agassi made a triumphant debut on the Outback Champions Series tennis circuit Friday night, defeating Mikael Pernfors of Sweden 6-2, 7-5 in the opening round of the $150,000 Cancer Treatment Centers of America Tennis Championships at Surprise. Todd Martin also won his opening round match Friday to advance into the semifinals, defeating fellow American Jimmy Arias 6-1, 6-4.
Agassi’s appearance in Surprise marked his first professional tournament since he ended his ATP career at the 2006 U.S. Open. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America Tennis Championships at Surprise is the seventh and final event on the 2009 Outback Champions Series, the global tennis circuit for champion tennis players age 30 and over.
Agassi opened the match belting a forehand winner off Pernfors’ first serve in a return-of-serve that some observers described as the biggest they have ever seen. Agassi went on to break Pernfors in the first game, but, with uncharacteristic backhand unforced errors, was broken back in the second game. Agassi then broke Pernfors again in the third game of the match and ran away with the first set 6-2. In the second set, Pernfors implemented more off-pace backhand slices and drop shots and broke Agassi for a quick 2-0 lead. Agassi then broke back at love with two return winners and a Pernfors forehand error on break point. Pernfors then broke back again to take a 3-1 lead, but Agassi then regained control of the set, breaking Pernfors again in the fifth and 11th games. Serving for the match, Agassi belted three aces in the final game and launched an explosive match-ending forehand winner to close out the match.
“I was pretty nervous surprisingly when I got out there,” admitted Agassi of his debut match. “I didn’t know how I was going to play. But I just stayed inside myself and got more comfortable out there. I pressed for a few shots when I could and took advantage.”
With his appearance in Surprise, Agassi became the eighth former world No. 1 to compete on the Outback Champions Series, joining Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Pat Rafter, Stefan Edberg, Mats Wilander, Thomas Muster and John McEnroe.
“This was a blast for me tonight,” said Agassi. “It’s just great being around the guys and having their support. It’s a lot of fun.”
Said Pernfors of Agassi, “He still hits the ball great. I think it is awesome for the tour to have Andre back.”
Agassi is one of only six men in the history of tennis to win all four major singles titles in a career, joining Rod Laver, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Fred Perry and Roger Federer. He won Wimbledon in 1992, the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1999, the Australian Open in 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2003, and the French Open in 1999. Ranked No. 1 in the world for 101 weeks during his career, Agassi helped the United States win the Davis Cup in 1990, 1992 and 1995 and won 60 career singles titles.
In Saturday’s semifinals, Agassi will face Wayne Ferreira of South Africa during the noon day session. During their ATP careers, Agassi held an 11-0 career record against Ferreira, while losing only one set in their 11 meetings. In the other semifinal Saturday, Martin will face Aaron Krickstein during the 5 pm evening session.
Thursday night, Krickstein registered one of the biggest upsets of the year on the Outback Champions Series, upsetting the top-ranked Courier 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 10-5 (Champions Tie-Breaker). The win marked Krickstein’s first professional win over Courier.
“We play similar styles and I was able to get off to a good start with strong serving in the first set,” said Krickstein of his win over Courier. “I knew I was hitting the ball well early and I knew it could be a good night especially if I kept serving well.”
Krickstein said he has been playing some great tennis of late and nearly upset Martin in the first round of Charlotte two weeks ago, falling 2-6, 7-6(3), 11-9 (Champions Tie-Breaker). He also attributed his strong play against Courier to the high-elevation conditions of Surprise, which is 1,175 feet above sea level.
“I guess my game is just suited to altitude,” he said. “I always played well in Scottsdale and I had a win on the ATP Tour in Johannesburg so I’ve always been able to deal with it.”
Said Martin of playing Krickstein, “(It) will be tough. Aaron doesn’t play a lot out here (on the Outback Champions Series) but his rhythm isn’t disturbed. He has short strokes and is moving really well. Not that Aaron wasn’t a great mover but he really seems to be moving well these days.”
The order of play and schedule for the remainder of the tournament is as follows;
Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Session #3 – 12:00pm
Men’s Doubles
Followed by
Semifinal #1 – Andre Agassi vs. Wayne Ferreira
Session #4 – 5:00pm
Men’s Doubles
Followed by
Semifinal #2 – Todd Martin vs. Aaron Krickstein
Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Session #5 – 12pm
Third Place Match
Followed by
Championship Match
John McEnroe won the inaugural event in 2008 in Surprise defeating Martin in the final. Ticket, travel and tournament information can be found by visiting www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com.
Pete Sampras won the opening event on the 2009 Outback Champions Series, defeating McEnroe in the final of the Champions Cup Boston in February. McEnroe won the second event of the year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, defeating Courier in the final. Sampras won his second title of the year at the Del Mar Development Champions Cup in Los Cabos, Mexico, defeating Patrick Rafter in the final. Courier won his first title of the 2009 season in April at the Cayman Islands, defeating Arias in the final. Pat Cash successfully defended his title on the grass courts at the Hall of Fame Champions Cup in Newport, R.I. in August, defeating Courier in the final. Courier won his second title of the season in Charlotte in September, defeating Sampras in the final.
Founded in 2005, the Outback Champions Series features some of the biggest names in tennis over the last 25 years, including Agassi, Sampras, McEnroe, Courier and others. To be eligible to compete on the Outback 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. The Outback Champions Series features seven events on its 2009 schedule with each event featuring $150,000 in prize money as well as Champions Series points that will determine the year-end Champions Rankings No. 1.
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 Outback Champions Series, a collection of tennis events 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 2008, 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.