LA Tennis Challenge at UCLA featuring Djokovic, Sampras, The Bryan Brothers, Haas and Blake on March 4, 2013 (Preview, Tickets & Results))

February 21, 2013 Todd Elliot/Photos by Forrest Graef

34 yr old Tommy Haas beat Blake in a pro-set match after a long delay with the net breaking. #1 Men’s player in the world Djokovic took out Mardy Fish in a tie-breaker, who was playing for the first time in 6 months in the second pro set match. Lastly, the Bryan Brothers beat Djokovic and Sampras in doubles in a fun filled match.

Tommy Haas, James Blake Added to Loaded

LA Tennis Challenge Field on March 4th

Justin Gimelstob and Mardy Fish-Hosted Exhibition at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion

Will Feature World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Pete Sampras and Bryan Brothers

Westwood, Calif., (Feb. 20, 2013) – It would be unfair to say that Tommy Haas’ best tennis is still ahead of him, but there’s no denying the fact that the 34-year-old ATP World Tour veteran is still managing to play some of the best tennis of his career having reached the final of last week’s SAP Open in San Jose.

The current world-ranked No. 18-player Haas and former world-ranked No. 4 James Blake have been added to the already stacked lineup card for the inaugural Los Angeles Tennis Challenge featuring World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Mardy Fish, Pete Sampras and Bob and Mike Bryan to be played March 4 at newly renovated Pauley Pavilion.

On Sunday, the former world No. 2 and Olympics silver medalist Haas was beaten by Canadian Milos Raonic, 6-4, 6-3. “I have always loved playing in L.A. and have had some of my best results there winning the LA Open in 2004 and 2006,” Haas said. “It is sad that the LA ATP event is leaving but I am ecstatic that the LA Tennis Challenge can help showcase professional tennis in one of the most important markets in the world.”

The LA Tennis Challenge is being promoted by Tennis Channel broadcaster Justin Gimelstob and ATP World Tour star Mardy Fish. Sponsors include Audi, Esurance, K-Swiss, 10sBalls.com and the Los Angeles Daily News.

Middle-level general admission tickets and reserved seating are now available starting at $35 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310-825-2101 Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by calling the event directly at 310-824-1010, ext. 251.

“Tommy and James are two of the most talented tennis players of this generation,” Gimelstob said. “Their shot-making and variety will surely entertain the fans at Pauley Pavilion on March 4th. We feel adding Tommy and James will complement an already exceptional field.

“The buzz is certainly building for the first LA Tennis Challenge, and we are confident this is shaping up to be a premiere event on both the sports and social calendar in the years to come.”

Haas has won one singles title since 2009, beating Roger Federer in Halle last year. Blake is a former world-ranked No. 4.

“I’m excited to join the already incredible field at the LA Tennis Challenge,” Blake said. “I’ve been spending a lot more time in LA, and as an American tennis player the loss of the ATP World Tour event is a huge disappointment. We need to start building a new event in Los Angeles and the LA Tennis Challenge is a positive step in that direction. This is a tremendous opportunity to watch some competitive and entertaining tennis, while raising some important funds for great causes. I am really looking forward to both being there and to participating.”

Added Haas: “Justin Gimelstob and Mardy Fish are two of my best friends, and when they asked me to support the event I jumped at the opportunity to help raise money for their foundations. In addition, being able to compete and get some intense match practice against one of my friends and rivals, James Blake, leading into one of my favorite events, the BNP Paribas Open, is ideal.

Three exhibition pro-set matches will take place beginning at 7 p.m. Haas will face Blake in the opening singles match while Djokovic will take on Los Angeles resident Fish in singles followed by a doubles match pitting Djokovic and his childhood idol Sampras against Southern California natives Bob and Mike Bryan.

“The field for a first-year event is incredible,” Haas concluded. “With guys like Djokovic and Sampras and the Bryan Brothers, and now adding James and me, we will make Pauley Pavilion the place to be the night of March 4th. I can’t wait to be there.”

It has also been announced that longtime and respected Southern California Tennis Association Executive Director Henry Talbert will be honored March 4 with the Gussy Moran Humanitarian Award that has been named for the 2007 SCTA Hall of Fame inductee who recently passed away.

To learn more about the LA Tennis Challenge go to www.LATennisChallenge.com. Like the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LATennisChallenge and follow on Twitter at @LA10sChallenge. For more information you can email: [email protected].

Audi, Esurance, K-Swiss and 10sBalls.com

Sign On As Sponsors For LA Tennis Challenge on March 4

Justin Gimelstob and Mardy Fish-Hosted Exhibition at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion

Will Feature World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Pete Sampras and Bryan Brothers

Westwood, Calif., (Feb. 15, 2013) – Audi, Esurance, K-Swiss and the popular tennis website www.10sBalls.com have each signed on as sponsors for the inaugural Los Angeles Tennis Challenge featuring World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Mardy Fish, Pete Sampras and Bob and Mike Bryan to be played March 4 at newly renovated Pauley Pavilion.

“The LA Tennis Challenge is proud to partner with one of the world’s leading carmakers in the premium and supercar segment,” Gimelstob said. “We look forward to building and growing the LA Tennis Challenge into one of the best sporting and social events in Los Angeles.”

Added Fish: “Having Audi, Esurance, K-Swiss and 10sBalls.com as sponsors is a major step in achieving our goals.”

Three exhibition pro-set matches will take place beginning at 7 p.m. Djokovic will take on Los Angeles resident Mardy Fish in singles followed by a doubles match pitting Djokovic and his childhood idol Sampras against Southern California natives Bob and Mike Bryan. An opening singles match between two marquee players will be announced shortly.

Both Djokovic and the Bryan Brothers are coming off huge wins last month in Melbourne Park solidifying each as No. 1 in the world in singles and doubles. Djokovic won his fourth Australian Open singles title while the Bryans captured their all-time best 13^th doubles Grand Slam.

“They’re going to be tough,” Mike said of facing the team of Djokovic and Sampras in a first to eight –game pro-set. “Winning a Grand Slam is great, but we have to win in our hometown of L.A. We have to prove to our friends and family that we’re the best.”

Watch this quick Bryan twins interview by Tennis Channel broadcaster and event host Justin Gimelstob by clicking on the image and the CTRL key. Or copy and paste this link:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=404381902983533&notif_t=video_processed

“We hope to make the LA Tennis Challenge an annual event, which brings together the community, celebrities and tennis fans to raise money for some very worthy charities and foundations,” Fish said. “It will also grow and promote the sport in Southern California. We hope to establish the LA Tennis Challenge as one of the most important social and sporting events of the year.”

Players will be playing for charity with proceeds from the event benefiting the Justin Gimelstob Children’s Fund, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, the Novak Djokovic Foundation, Call to Cure and the Southern California Tennis Association’s community tennis initiatives.

Three exhibition pro-set matches will take place beginning at 7 p.m. Djokovic will take on Los Angeles resident Fish in singles followed by a doubles match pitting Djokovic and his childhood idol Sampras against Southern California natives Bob and Mike Bryan. An opening singles match between two marquee players will be announced shortly.

Djokovic of Serbia is a winner of six Grand Slam titles and the current No. 1 player in the world. Sampras is considered the greatest American champion ever with 14 career Grand Slam singles titles, including seven Wimbledon crowns. Fish has six career ATP World Tour titles to his name and is an Olympic silver medalist. The 34-year-old Bryan twins won gold at the 2012 London Olympics and have won an all-time record 84 ATP World Tour doubles titles.

Australian Open Champions Novak Djokovic

and Bryan Brothers to Share Spotlight During

Los Angeles Tennis Challenge on March 4

World’s Top Singles Player and Doubles Team Will Square Off In

Justin Gimelstob and Mardy Fish-Hosted Exhibition at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion

Westwood, Calif., (Feb. 1, 2013) – Victorious at the season’s first Grand Slam, Australian Open singles champion Novak Djokovic and doubles winners Bob and Mike Bryan will surely swap stories about all things winning at Melbourne Park as the three continued their dynasties Down Under.

Djokovic became the first man in the Open era to win three consecutive Australian titles when he beat Andy Murray in four sets last Sunday for his fourth career Aussie championship. Meanwhile, Bob and Mike Bryan continued to add to their trophy case as the all-time winningest doubles team captured their sixth Australian Open title and record 13^th career Grand Slam.

The trio will be joined by 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras, who won Australian Open titles in 1994 and 1997, and former ATP World Tour Top 10 player Mardy Fish on Monday, March 4, at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion in a night of tennis celebration and exhibitions in the inaugural LA Tennis Challenge.

Competing for the U.S. in the Davis Cup against Brazil, Mike Bryan knows it’s going to be a highly competitive night of tennis on March 4.

Watch this quick Bryan Twins interview by Tennis Channel broadcaster and event host Justin Gimelstob by clicking on the image and the CTRL key. Or copy and paste this link:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=404381902983533&notif_t=video_processed

The LA Tennis Challenge will be broadcast by Tennis Channel in the United States.