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Giant personalities and big talent are set for a collision course when the World Tennis Challenge (WTC) hits Adelaide’s Memorial Drive later this month.
Over three-fiery days, this innovative new tennis tournament will see former superstars, including John McEnroe, partner today’s current champions.
In the second year of the event, Australasia will be represented by Davis Cup veteran Pat Cash and rising teenage superstar Bernard Tomic.
The pair will thrash it out against the Americas, Europe, an international team and wildcard entry, Iranian born Mansour Bahrami.
A latecomer to professional tennis, Bahrami is famous for his outrageous shot making and teaching himself to play the game using dustpans and broom handles.
For the younger tennis stars playing in the tournament the event will be their final warm-up before the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open.
Frenchman Gilles Simon and Czech Radek Stepanek are both ranked within the top ATP Tour Top 15 and will be hoping to advance into the grand slam’s finals at Melbourne Park.
They may be well served taking tips from the legends on show during January 12-14 including John McEnroe, who will represent the Americas in the challenge.
However while McEnroe won seven Grand Slam titles in his career, he never claimed an Australian Open title.
Instead he was disqualified in the fourth round of the tournament in 1990, for swearing at court officials.
This year the crowd will be keen to see if McEnroe’s infamous on-court behaviour is on show or if the years have mellowed the sports most badly behaved competitor.
McEnroe said he could not wait to play in Adelaide.
“I have fond memories of the city and the people and I think the combination of the legends and the current players competing against each other is a fantastic idea,” he said.
Last week organisers predicted a sell out crowd and WTC General Manager Alistair MacDonald is urging tennis lovers to get in quick.
“We have been really pleased with the number of people who are coming from interstate this year and we just hope people book in advance so as not to miss out,” he said.
“Obviously John McEnroe playing this year has really elevated the event, but we also have an outstanding field with two top 20 players, Bernard Tomic and US Open Semi-finalist Robby Ginepri representing the younger generation of players.”
Dates: January 12-14 2010. Start 7:00pm.
Where: Memorial Drive.
Tickets: Adult tickets $38.50 and children $16.50. Purchase by phoning (08) 8225 8888 or visiting Venue*Tix.
Facebook: World Tennis Challenge – Adelaide
For more information on the event or players visit this website.
