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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, USA – Tony Trabert, President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, headquartered in Newport, R.I., today announced the names of the 12 ballot nominees for possible Hall of Fame induction in July 2010. Headlining the 2010 ballot are Recent Player nominees: the team of two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and 17 Grand Slam Title Holder Beatriz “Gigi” Fernandez and 18 Grand Slam Title Holder Natasha Zvereva; Doubles Legends Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde; and world ranked No. 1 doubles player for 110 weeks Anders Jarryd.

Named on the ballot in the Master Player category are: personal Grand Slam winner Owen Davidson, doubles superstars Peter Fleming and Bob Lutz. Named on the ballot in the Contributor category are four nominees: wheelchair tennis pioneer Brad Parks; one of tennis’ most influential coaching figures Nick Bollettieri; creator of open tennis as chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association Derek Hardwick; and Japan’s Eiichi Kawatei, for his exceptional leadership and dedication in the development and promotion of tennis in Asia.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Enshrinee Nominating Committee of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, I am honored to announce the ballot for 2010,” said Tony Trabert, ITHF President and 1970 Hall of Famer. “Quite coincidentally, we seem to have an ‘all-doubles’ Recent Player slate with Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva, ‘The Woodies’ Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, and Anders Jarryd. I can’t recall the last time doubles players dominated the ballot for nomination to the Hall of Fame. Also, well-deserved nominations were given to Owen Davidson, Peter Fleming and Bob Lutz in the Master Player category; while the contributions of Nick Bollettieri, Derek Hardwick, Brad Parks, and Eiichi Kawatei to the sport of tennis cannot go overlooked.”

Voting for the 2010 ballot will take place over the next several months leading to the announcement of the official 2010 induction class in January, 2010. The Class of 2010 Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, July 10 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

Recent Player Nominees (1) Eligibility criteria for the Recent Player category: Active as competitors in the sport within the last 20 years prior to consideration; not a significant factor on the ATP or WTA tour within five years prior to induction; a distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level, with consideration given to integrity, sportsmanship and character.

Beatriz “Gigi” Fernandez (San, Juan, Puerto Rico), age 44, was considered one of the world’s best doubles players, capturing 68 career titles in women’s doubles and attaining the No. 1 ranking several times in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1995. She won at least one Grand Slam title every year from 1988-1997, except 1989, and for three straight years won three of the four Grand Slam doubles titles in the same year (1992-94). Fernandez and partner Natasha Zvereva are the second most successful Grand Slam doubles team ever in the Open Era behind Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver. Over the course of her career, Fernandez won 17 major doubles titles, including five consecutive French Open titles (1991-1995), five US Open titles (1988, 1990, 1992, 1995-1996), four Wimbledon titles (1992-1994, 1997) and two at the Australian Open (1993-1994). A member of the U.S. Fed Cup Team, she helped lead her team to victory twice: in 1990 and 1996.

Natasha Zvereva (Minsk, Belarus), age 38, won more women’s doubles titles and Grand Slam women’s doubles championships with partner Gigi Fernandez, than any other team since Martina Navratilova / Pam Shriver. They won six consecutive Grand Slams from 1992 Roland Garros through 1993 Wimbledon (Navratilova/Shriver won eight consecutive Grand Slam titles from 1983 Wimbledon through 1985 Roland Garros).

In terms of Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, Zvereva’s 18 titles make her the fifth most prolific champion of all-time; her 20 Grand Slam titles overall ranks her equal 14th all-time. She won three of the four Grand Slams in doubles, in the same year, four times (1992-94, 1997) and won non-calendar year doubles Grand Slams in 1992-93 (six straight titles) and 1996-97 (four straight titles). She won the Australian Open mixed doubles twice with Jim Pugh (1990) and with Rick Leach (1995).

In her singles career, she won four titles and was ranked among the Top 10 players in the world 1988-89 and 1994-95, holding a career-high ranking of No. 5 (May 22, 1989).

Todd Woodbridge (Sydney, Australia), age 38, currently holds the ATP record for most doubles titles (83) in Open Era history. He spent 204 weeks at No. 1 throughout his career. His partnership with Mark Woodforde, where they were known as “The Woodies”, resulted in a record 61 ATP doubles titles, including 11 Grand Slams. The duo was named ATP Top Doubles Team five times (1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000). They were the first team in the 20th century to win five straight Wimbledon titles, and the only team in Open Era to win at least one Grand Slam Doubles title for six consecutive years.

With a career doubles record of 782-260, Woodbridge reached the doubles finals of 31 professional tournaments. He holds the Australian Davis Cup record for the most years played (14 years); most doubles wins (25); and “Best Doubles Team” with Mark Woodforde (14-2), and was a member of the winning team in 1999 and 2003.

Teaming up with Woodforde, the pair won two Olympic Medals – Doubles Gold (1996) and Doubles Silver (2000).

Mark Woodforde (Adelaide, Australia), age 43, holds 67 doubles titles and 4 singles titles, and held the No. 1 ranking for 84 weeks during his career. Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge, known as “The Woodies”, were the first team to win five straight Wimbledon titles, and the only team in Open Era to win at least one Grand Slam doubles title in six consecutive years. Their 11 Grand Slam titles as a team are an Open Era success story (second only to John Newcombe / Tony Roche’s record of 12). The Woodies, together, hold a record of 61 doubles titles, and were named ATP Top Doubles Team five times (1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000).

As a member of the Australian Davis Cup team (1988, 1989, 1993 – 2000), he helped his team take the title in 1999. Teaming up with Woodbridge, the pair won two Olympic Medals – Doubles Gold (1996) and Doubles Silver (2000).

Anders Jarryd (Bastad, Sweden), age 47, is known as one of the greatest doubles players in the sport of tennis. He was ranked No. 1 in the world in doubles for a total of 110 weeks, second only to John McEnroe’s 270, winning at least one title every year with the exception of 1990. Attaining a career-high singles rank of 5 in the world (July 22, 1985) with a win-loss record of 396-260, Jarryd collected over $US5 million dollars in prize money.

He turned pro in 1981 with help from Swedish coach Jan-Anders Sjogren. Over the course of his outstanding 16-year career, Jarryd won titles with 19 different partners from eight countries for a total 59 Doubles titles. He won every Grand Slam in Doubles at least once: Australian Open (1987); French Open three times (1983, 1987, 1991); Wimbledon twice (1989, 1991); and US Open twice (1987, 1991). In 1991, Jarryd and John Fitzgerald became the first team to win three Grand Slam events in the same year since John Newcombe/Tony Roche in 1967, by capturing the title at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. When he retired, he was ranked No. 1 in Doubles on the ATP Tour in 1988-89.

Master Player Nominees (1) Eligibility criteria for the Master Player category: Competitors in the sport who have been retired for at least 20 years prior to consideration; a distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level, with consideration given to integrity, sportsmanship and character.

In the history of tennis, only 12 people have won a personal Grand Slam. Australian Owen Davidson, age 65 (Melbourne, Australia) is one of them. His 15 year career is highlighted by 12 Grand Slam titles. His partnerships with Lesley Turner Bowrey and Billie Jean King produced a personal Grand Slam in 1967, as Davidson captured the Australian, French, US Open and Wimbledon championships. “Davo”, as he is known, went on to win the Australian Open Doubles with Ken Rosewall in 1972, and the US Open doubles with John Newcombe in 1973. Davidson won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon and the US Open four times at each tournament. His four Wimbledon conquests made him the male player who won the most mixed doubles crowns at the All England Club. He is one of five men who have won the US Open mixed doubles four times.

Davidson was a valued member of five championship Australian Davis Cup teams from 1962-1967. A career singles highlight came in 1966 at the Wimbledon semi-finals, when he narrowly lost a thrilling five-set match to eventual champion Manolo Santana. With his whipping southpaw serve, Davidson, age 65, is an active competitor on the senior tour.

Peter Fleming, age 54, (Summit, New York) holds a very impressive doubles career record of 505-176 with 59 titles taking 57 of those titles with John McEnroe. They are listed as the second best winning doubles team on the ATP Record (behind Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde), and were named Doubles Team of the Year four times (1979, 1981, 1983, 1984). Fleming, age 54, is listed on the Top 50 All-Time Open Era Title Leaders with his combined 66 wins that include four Wimbledon titles (1979, 1981, 1983, 1984) and three US Open titles (1979, 1981, 1983).

A member of the U.S. Davis Cup team from 1979-1984, he helped lead his team to victory three times (1979, 1981, 1982) with an overall record of 14-1.

Bob Lutz, age 62, (San Clemente, Calif.) was one of the leading players of the 1970s and one of the greatest doubles players of all time. Lutz won 43 doubles titles, many with doubles partner Stan Smith, a 1987 Hall of Fame Member, and reached the final in 30 other tournaments. His doubles titles include the US Open (1968, 1974, 1978, 1980) – each won with Smith and the Australian Open (1970).

A member of five winning Davis Cup teams for the United States. In addition to his success in doubles, Lutz won nine singles titles during his career on the pro tour. An All-American at the University of Southern California, Lutz is a member of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s second Hall of Fame class (1984), and in 2005 was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame.

Contributor Nominees (3) Eligibility criteria for the Contributor category: Exceptional contributions that have furthered the growth, reputation and character of the sport, in categories such as administration, media, coaching and officiating. Contributor candidates do not need to be retired from their activities related to the sport to be considered.

Nick Bollettieri (North Pelham, NY), age 78,is one of the most influential people in the world of tennis with a track record unparalleled in the world of coaching. In 1978, he founded the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy (NBTA), the first full-time tennis boarding school that combined intense training on the court with academic curriculum. Bollettieri has coached nine No. 1 players in the world including Boris Becker, Andre Agassi and Monica Seles. Two of his players have been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame – with more to follow. No other coach has been responsible for the development of junior talent and world class professionals or trained more recreational tennis players in the last four decades.

In 1987, Bollettieri expanded his vision by partnering with IMG to turn the academy into a multi-sport training facility, now known as the IMG Academies. Bollettieri continues to play an active role in the development of the tennis academy and ancillary programs.

A well-known and respected developer of talent and a supreme motivator, Bollettieri has devoted his life to growing the game of tennis, and providing talented players an environment to reach their very best. For every top pro NBTA produces, hundreds of Bollettieri’s students go on to college with some type of tennis scholarship assistance. Since the beginning of the NBTA, countless talented, deserving youngsters from all over the world, without the financial means to pursue their dreams, have been allowed to attend NBTA for free.

Bollettieri’s continued dedication to the growth of the sport of tennis can be seen in some of the organizations with which he is involved: USPTA Player Development Program Advisory Council (2004-present); Board Member, Nicolett Tennis Center (2004-present); USTA Advisory Committee; USA Tennis Coaching Education Program (2000); Board of Directors, Arthur Ashe Safe Passage Foundation (1991-1995); Honorary Co-chair, USPTA Tennis Across America (1999); and Honorary Chair, USPTA Tennis Across America (1996).

Derek Hardwick (London, England, 1921-1987) was instrumental in one of the most important developments in tennis history with the creation of Open tennis in 1968. Two Englishmen – Herman David, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998, and Hardwick,along with the American Robert J. Kelleher, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000, joined in achieving this goal over the opposition of the President of the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) and of the entrenched tennis establishment of Europe and America.

A Dorset farmer and former British doubles champion, Hardwick rose to the position of Chairman of the British Lawn Tennis Association in 1968. As chairman, he took the bold step forward by voting affirmatively to make Wimbledon, and all other British tournaments, “Open” in 1968, against the will of the ILTF. Hardwick and Kelleher banded together in their respective nations to ultimately force the ILTF to change its policies on “amateur” and “professional” tennis so that all nations would benefit. In an emergency meeting held in Paris in 1968, the ILTF finally agreed. Hardwick also served the game as chairman of the Men’s International Professional Tennis Council (1974-1977), the governing body of men’s tennis prior to the advent of the ATP Tour, as well as the president of the International Tennis Federation (1975-1977).

Eiichi Kawatei was born December 10, 1933 in Ashiya City, Japan and has been nominated for his contributions to tennis as a leader in the development and promotion of the sport in Asia. For more than 25 years, he has supported national associations (44 in 2003), players, officials, coaches and many official international events (juniors through the pros). He is the former Tournament Director for the Japan Open and Asian Open (both 1977-1986) and founder of the International Club of Japan (1978). In working with the International Tennis Federation (ITF), he has served as a member of the Committee of Management (1981-1997), a member of the ITF Board of Directors (1997-2003) and Vice President (1991-1999). He also served as ITF Representative on Satellite and Challenger Joint Committee (1993-2001), member of the Olympic Committee (1981-2001), and Chairman of the Junior Competitions Committee (1995-2003). He served as ITF Technical Delegate for the Olympic Games (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008) and has been officially designated an ITF Honorary Life Vice President. He remains the Japanese Olympic Committee’s Asian Council Representative, a member of their Executive Committee (1991-2003) and Vice President (2003-05).

Kawatei was President of the Asian Tennis Federation 1989-2003, and Secretary General from 1978-1989. With the Japanese Tennis Association, he served as Executive Board Member (1977-1993) and since 1993 has been Vice President. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Olympic Ring Award (presented by the IOC), the Chinese National Sports Federation Honorable Award, and the 2005 Golden Achievement Award presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Kawatei has been an active member of the international tennis media, as an international tennis photographer (1968-1981), as a tennis commentator on Japanese TV (1972-1990), and has contributed to numerous books and magazines as a journalist. As a player, Kawatei was a nationally ranked junior and played for Doshisha University (1954-55), where he returned as coach (1960-68, 1990-94).

Brad Parks (Orange, Calif.), age 52, is the pioneer of wheelchair tennis, not only in the United States, but also throughout the world. During an amateur freestyle skiing competition, he suffered a disabling injury when he was 18. As recreational therapy, he began experimenting with tennis and in 1976, wheelchair tennis was born. Parks and several other disabled athletes began playing and promoting wheelchair tennis in numerous exhibitions and clinics in the U.S. They visited rehabilitation hospitals to encourage the newly injured to play.

The sport quickly grew as a result of this high exposure level and, in 1977, the first wheelchair tennis tournaments were held. This success motivated Parks to found the National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis (NFWT) as the organizing body for the sport. The purpose of the NFWT was to promote physical and psychological well being among the disabled regardless of age, sex, creed, or disability extent. This was accomplished through the presentation of instructional clinics, exhibitions and competitive tournaments and sports camps. As more athletes became involved, the Wheelchair Tennis Players Association (WTPA) was formed, giving players more of a say in the governance of tournaments, clinics and expansion of the game.

Parks started the first international wheelchair tennis event, the US Open, held in Irvine, California. He was the Tournament Director for 13 years, and it set the standard for others to follow and today the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour comprises of 126 tournaments in 35 countries, exceeding a total of $500,000 in prize money. In 1985, as a result of increased international presence at the US Open, the World Team Cup was started with five nations, not including women or quad players. Today this prestigious Fed Cup/Davis Cup-style team event holds qualifying rounds for the 32 available spots, and boasts men, women, quads and junior competitions.

Parks is also credited with spreading the sport internationally by holding clinics throughout Europe, Asia and the Pacific. In 1989 the International Wheelchair Tennis Federation (IWTF) was formed to govern this growing international sport with Parks as the inaugural president. He served on the Board of Directors for many years and was a driving force of international wheelchair tennis. In 1998, the IWTF was fully integrated into the International Tennis Federation, making it the first disabled sport to achieve such a union on the international level.

Today almost 100 countries offer wheelchair tennis programs, and 58 countries are officially registered with the ITF.

A panel of International Tennis Media will vote on the Recent Player nominees. A 75% favorable vote is required for induction. The International Masters Panel, which consists of Hall of Fame inductees and individuals who are highly knowledgeable of the sport and its history, vote on the Master Player and Contributor nominees. To be inducted as a Master Player or a Contributor, an affirmative vote of 75% is required.

The date for the Class of 2010 Induction Ceremony is slated for Saturday, July 10th, in conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships (July 5-11) in Newport, Rhode Island. The International Tennis Hall of Fame has inducted 211 people representing 18 countries since its establishment in 1954. The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of tennis and its champions. For more information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum call 401-849-3990 or visit us online at www.tennisfame.com.