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Andre Agassi to Play John McEnroe
at LA Tennis Open To Benefit
Andre Agassi Foundation for Education
July 24 Exhibition Match to Raise Funds for Foundation’s Signature Project,
The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2010
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LOS ANGELES – The LA Tennis Open Presented by Farmers Insurance Group today announced a new partnership with the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education (AAFE). To mark the beginning of the partnership, and support the Foundation’s efforts to transform education, Andre Agassi will play John McEnroe in a special one-night exhibition at the LA Tennis Center on Saturday, July 24.
Proceeds from the match between Agassi and McEnroe will benefit the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education. The Foundation operates the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, a K-12 public charter school that strives to provide children with a first-class education, while also advocating increased investment in, and accountability for, public schools nationwide.
"I am excited about and thankful for our ongoing partnership with the LA Tennis Open. They’ve been extremely generous and now with the help of my friend John McEnroe, the Foundation can continue to provide the students at Agassi Prep with all that they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond," Agassi said.
McEnroe is happy to support Agassi’s initiatives, and is looking forward to playing him again. "I am thrilled about the opportunity to help contribute to education and return to UCLA to play Andre," he said. "Malibu is my second home, so I know I will have a lot of friends there who will be ready to support me. Playing a match against Agassi is not only exciting but also a big challenge for me. I am working very hard to be ready as this could be the last time I play an event like this in Los Angeles."
The match between Agassi and McEnroe will be just one part of the evening that will celebrate tennis and entertainment. A full line up of other special guest appearances will be announced in the coming weeks.
Agassi, a four-time LA Tennis Open champion, boasts a 36-7 record all-time at the event, and McEnroe won two titles while compiling a 20-2 record. They played four times on the ATP World Tour, and split those meetings. However, Agassi holds and edge in LA, having won their only match there in 1988 by a score of 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 in the semifinals.
Agassi’s 60th and final career title came in Los Angeles in 2005. He also won the title in 1998, 2001 and 2002, and he is the last player to successfully defend his LA title. He is an eight-time champion at Grand Slam events.
McEnroe claimed the LA Tennis Open title in 1981 and 1986. During his career, he won 77 singles and 78 doubles titles, including seven singles and nine doubles championships at Grand Slam events.
"Andre and John are among the greatest champions not only of our event, but in the history of the sport," said Tournament Director Bob Kramer. "We look forward to them both returning to a place where they had great success during their careers and helping us begin what promises to be a great partnership between the LA Tennis Open and the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education.
Main draw play for the 84th annual LA Tennis Open Presented by Farmers Insurance Group will begin on Monday, July 26, and conclude with the singles final on the afternoon of Sunday, August 1. The 2010 tournament has commitments from World No. 2 Novak Djokovic, reigning US Open champion and World No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro and defending LA champions Sam Querrey, who also won the 2009 Olympus US Open Series, and the Bryan Brothers.
Ticket pricing information as well as the on-sale date for the Agassi-McEnroe match will be announced soon. LA Tennis Open Presented by Farmers Insurance Group season and mini-plan ticket holders will have an exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets to the July 24 event before tickets go on sale to the public.
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ABOUT THE ANDRE AGASSI FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION
The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education seeks to transform public education in two ways. Through its signature project, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, the Foundation works to provide underserved children in Las Vegas with a quality K-12 education to prepare them for excellence in college and beyond. Through state and national advocacy, the Foundation strives to increase investment in, and accountability for, public schools.
Jim Courier Named Farmers Classic Tournament Honoree
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2010
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| LOS ANGELES – Jim Courier will be introduced as Tournament Honoree for the 2010 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, during a special ceremony on opening night, Monday, July 26, of the Olympus US Open Series and ATP World Tour 250 tournament at the LA Tennis Center. Courier will also be participating in the Stars Under the Stars gala featuring Andre Agassi vs John McEnroe on Saturday, July 24 at UCLA.
The distinguished award of Tournament Honoree has been given annually since 1985 to a person who has greatly influenced the growth of tennis through their playing career and other contributions to the sport.
Courier, a 2005 inductee at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, spent 58 weeks ranked No. 1 on the ATP World Tour. He owns four career titles in Majors, winning the Australian Open in 1992 and 1993 and the French Open in 1991 and 1992. In addition, Courier was finalist at the French Open and Wimbledon in 1993 and at the US Open in 1991.
The champion of the 1997 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, Courier is one of only three players to win the tournament title without dropping a set since 1995 (Juan Martin del Potro in 2008 and Andre Agassi in 1998 are the others). He was 7-3 in Los Angeles in his career.
"I have had the privilege of participating in the Farmers Classic for many years, and I am humbled to be this year’s Tournament Honoree," Courier said. "I look forward to spending time with my many Southern California tennis friends and accepting this honor."
Since retiring as a player, Courier has remained very active in the sport. He works as a promoter through Inside Out Sports & Entertainment producing tennis tournaments around the world featuring legendary players. This includes the creation and operation of the Champions Series.
"Jim was a true champion who had great success as a player," said Tournament Director Bob Kramer. "His achievements did not end when his playing career did. Since retiring Jim has been among the most tireless promoters of tennis in the United States. His contributions to growing the game are as significant as his results as a player." |
ABOUT THE LA TENNIS OPEN PRESENTED BY FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP
The LA Tennis Open Presented by Farmers Insurance Group has been played every year since 1927, making it the longest-running annual professional sporting event in Los Angeles. Played since 1984 at the LA Tennis Center on the campus of UCLA, the tournament is part of the Olympus US Open Series, the six-week summer tennis season linking 10 ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour events to the US Open. Proceeds from the LA Tennis Open benefit the grassroots programs of the non-profit Southern California Tennis Association (SCTA) and UCLA. The SCTA offers programs, leagues, and tournaments involving 300,000 juniors and 50,000 adults and seniors. Information on tickets and the tournament can be found at www.LATennisOpen.com or by calling 310-824-1010. |
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