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LOS ANGELES – Five top 30 players, including two former champions, are among the 20 players who are on the initial acceptance list for the 2010 Farmers Classic that will be held at the LA Tennis Center July 26 – August 1.
Andy Murray and Ryan Sweeting have received the final two wild cards into the 2010 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, at the LA Tennis Center on UCLA’s campus. Murray will be the #1 seed. Two players who were on the initial acceptance list were forced to withdraw from the event. World No. 2 Novak Djokovic pulled out for personal reasons while 2007 champion Radek Stepanek withdrew due to a knee injury.
"It’s certainly disappointing to lose players like Novak and Radek, however we are very excited that we’ve added these six players to the draw," said Tournament Director Bob Kramer. "We were looking forward to Novak making his debut in LA, but we’re very fortunate that Andy Murray, another top five player will be able to join us."
Also joining the field Friday were South African Kevin Anderson, who gained entrance by virtue of reaching the semifinals this week in Atlanta, along with the next direct acceptances of Illya Marchenko, Teimuraz Gabashvili and Karol Beck.
Two of the other projected top seeds are former champions of the event. This summer, Sam Querrey will be defending not only his Farmers Classic title, but also his crown from the Olympus US Open Series. Also in the draw is James Blake.
Other noteworthy players who are entered into the 2010 Farmers Classic include former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis, rising Latvian star Ernests Gulbis, Spanish Davis Cup champion Feliciano Lopez, former NCAA champion Benjamin Becker and Americans Robby Ginepri and Mardy Fish.
"The 2010 Farmers Classic player field is very strong," said tournament director Bob Kramer. "There will be Grand Slam champions, former Farmers Classic champions, American heroes and international stars. This strong lineup coupled with the special events we have added this year will give us an incredible 11 days of tennis and entertainment at the LA Tennis Center."
Juan Martin del Potro, the reigning US Open champion, had committed to this year’s tournament, but has withdrawn after a recent wrist surgery. However, the Argentine has already committed to the 2011 Farmers Classic.The 2008 Los Angeles champion underwent treatment recently, and expressed that his wrist problem might prevent him from defending his US Open title. It also means that he will miss the Olympus US Open Series summer season.
"I am very disappointed that I will not be able to play the Farmers Classic at UCLA," said Del Potro. "I was really looking forward to playing where I won my first American and hardcourt events, but unfortunately my wrist injury does not allow me to. I will be back, fully fit to play in Los Angeles next year."
Here’s a look at the first 20 entrants into the 28-player field for the 2010 Farmers Classic:
| Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) |
Santiago Giraldo (COL) |
Sam Querrey (USA) |
| Benjamin Becker (GER) |
Ernests Gulbis (LAT) |
Ranier Schuettler (GER) |
| James Blake (USA) |
Lukas Lacko (SVK) |
Dudi Sela (ISR) |
| Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
Feliciano Lopez (ESP) |
Radek Stepanek (CZE) |
| Alejandro Falla (COL) |
Xavier Malisse (BEL) |
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) |
| Mardy Fish (USA) |
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) |
Kristof Vliegen (BEL) |
| Robby Ginepri (USA) |
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Horacio Zeballos (ARG) |
In addition to these singles stars, the doubles field will be headlined by five-time Farmers Classic champions Bob and Mike Bryan. The Bryans are tied for the Open Era record with 61 career titles heading into Wimbledon.
ESPN2 will broadcast eight hours of live coverage of this year’s Farmers Classic, including singles quarterfinal, semifinal and championship matches. Tennis Channel will again provide significant additional broadcast coverage, including singles quarterfinal and doubles championship matches.
In addition to the 84th edition of the Farmers Classic, the LA Tennis Center will be very busy this summer with a series of special events.
Keith Urban and the Avett Brothers will perform at the LA Tennis Center on Friday, July 23, as part of the Starry Night Benefit Concert Presented by the GRAMMY Foundation.
On Saturday, July 24, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe will return to the LA Tennis Center as part of Stars Under the Stars, an evening of tennis and entertainment to benefit the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education.
Following the completion of the Farmers Classic, on Monday, August 2, the LA Tennis Center will play host to KLOS Rocking the Net Starring Bret Michaels to benefit the Southern California Tennis Association. Tesla will also perform as part of the concert that evening.
Tickets for Farmers Classic, Stars Under the Stars, Starry Night KLOS Rocking the Net Starring Bret Michaels are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Additional ticket information can be found at www.FarmersClassic.com or by calling 310-824-1010, ext. 251.
With a strong player field, the competition during the 84th annual Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, promises to be fierce. But the ATP World Tour and Olympus US Open Series tennis action is just the start of the activities on tap at the upcoming event at the LA Tennis Center on the campus of UCLA.
World No. 2 and Wimbledon semifinalist Novak Djokovic, the 2008 Australian Open champion, is joined by former event champions Sam Querrey and Radek Stepanek to headline the singles field for the tournament.
Joining them will be Americans James Blake, Robby Ginepri and Mardy Fish as well as international stars Marcos Baghdatis, Ernests Gulbis and Feliciano Lopez.
In addition to these marquee singles stars, the doubles field will be headlined by five-time Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, champions Bob and Mike Bryan. The Bryans are tied for the Open Era record with 61 career titles and look forward to breaking it in their hometown event.
There will be plenty of other action for fans during this year’s Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz. All the events kick off on Friday, July 24, and continue until Monday, August 2. Here’s a glimpse at the action that is on tap:
The tennis gets underway at noon on Friday, July 23 at the UCLA Sycamore Canyon Courts with the Wild Card Shootout. Eight players will take part in a double-elimination match tie-break competition with the winner earning a wild card into the 2010 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, main draw.
On Friday night, July 23, Keith Urban and the Avett Brothers will perform at the LA Tennis Center beginning at 8 p.m. as part of the Starry Night Benefit Concert, presented by the GRAMMY Foundation.
On Saturday, July 24, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe will return to the LA Tennis Center at 7:30 p.m. as part of Stars Under the Stars, presented by Grubb & Ellis, an evening of tennis and entertainment to benefit the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education. Joining Agassi and McEnroe will be fellow tennis legends Jim Courier, Michael Chang and Pam Shriver along with comedian Jon Lovitz and rock star Gavin Rossdale.
On Monday, July 26, the tournament begins in earnest at Straus Stadium at noon. Before play begins, defending champion Sam Querrey will appear at the Jackie Tatum / Harvard Recreation Center at 10 a.m. to announce the Center’s courts will be renovated as part of the Fresh Courts program from American Express and the USTA.
Opening night at the Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, on Monday will include a ceremony for the 2010 Tournament Honoree Jim Courier. The former world No. 1 and 1997 tournament champion will appropriately receive this honor on USTA Member Appreciation Night.
Kid’s Day returns on Tuesday, July 27. The event begins at 9:30 a.m., and will include clinics and tips from ATP World Tour players. Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz is also expected to attend this event.
Free tickets are available to the tennis action on Monday-Wednesday. On Monday and Tuesday, fans who bring a serviceable tennis racquet to donate to the VIP will call window will get one free ticket to that day’s session. On Wednesday, fans bringing a new K-12 book will get a free ticket.
The excitement of ESPN’s Game Day desk returns to the Tennis Center Friday-Sunday. ESPN talent and ATP World Tour players will appear at the desk at it’s new location on Bruin Walk as part of ESPN2‘s coverage of the Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz.
Following the completion of the tournament, on Monday, August 2, the LA Tennis Center will play host to KLOS Rocking the Net Starring Bret Michaels to benefit the Southern California Tennis Association. Tesla will also perform as part of the concert that evening.
ESPN2 will broadcast eight hours of live coverage of this year’s Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, including singles quarterfinal, semifinal and championship matches. Tennis Channel will again provide significant additional broadcast coverage, including singles quarterfinal and doubles championship matches.
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