NEW YORK, N.Y. – John McEnroe will return to the scene of one of his most memorable tournament victories of his Champions Series tennis career this week at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Tennis Championships in Surprise, Ariz.
McEnroe, 51, will be seeking a second title in the suburban Phoenix enclave two years after a dramatic final-round win over Todd Martin. Played in severe desert winds of up to 35 miles per hour that knocked over courtside umbrellas and chairs, McEnroe saved three match points and defeated Martin 3-6, 7-6 (3), 11-9 (Champions Tie-Breaker).
We had some incredible winds that day, said McEnroe of his 2008 final. Watching the US Open brought back some memories from my final-round match in Surprise in terms of the windy conditions. I have never experienced something or watched something as difficult as it was. It actually helped me, although I am not suggesting that I would want it again. It just goes to show you that you never know what could happen.
McEnroe will open round-robin play this year on Thursday, October 21 against Wayne Ferreira, followed by a Friday night grudge match against Jeff Tarango on October 22 and a Saturday show-down against former U.S. Davis Cup teammate Jim Courier on October 23. McEnroe was not in the field last year in Surprise as Martin won the title, defeating Andre Agassi in the championship match.
Michael Chang, the 1989 French Open champion, and Mark Philippoussis, the 2003 Wimbledon finalist, headline the other round-robin grouping this week 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 also 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.