Liverpool International Tennis Tournament Set for June
One of the biggest names in tennis of the past decade is set to play at the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament this summer.
Richard Krajicek, 32, who became the first Dutchman to win Wimbledon in 1996, is the latest grand slam great to sign up for the Calderstones Park event – June 9-13.
Krajicek who is also the only top ranked player to have a better one-on-one record with Pete Sampras, will play in two exhibition matches as the curtain raiser for a Legends event featuring stars such as Illie Nastase.
The Liverpool International is the only event in Europe in 2004, outside Wimbledon, which boasts a tournament for ATP players and a Legends event.
Tournament Organiser Anders Borg, of Northern Vision Limited, also announced the first two ATP players for the eight-man round robin tournament, at a press conference today in Liverpool. They are:
24-year-old Robert Kendrick, USA. A right hander and avid surfer (the 6’ 3′ pin up has been dubbed ‘the Beckham of Tennis’) Kendrick is currently 55 in the ATP race. One of America’s brightest tennis prospects and coached by Scott McCain Kendrick, Kendrick was a semi-finalist at this February’s San Jose Tournament losing to World No 2 Andy Roddick
Vincent Spadea, 29, of Chicago, USA. The top 30 player has accumulated $3m dollars in his career. With three doubles titles to his name, the 6’ right hander is no stranger to Liverpool having competed in the inaugural year which was won by the 2004 Australian Open Runner-Up Marat Safin.
Anders Borg said: ‘’I want the Liverpool International to be known for bringing new and up and coming stars to people’s attention and give fans a tennis treat from yesteryear. Liverpool is an amazing city and Calderstones Park is a fantastic setting. Thanks to the support of the city council and local business we now have a tournament that can attract the best of the past, present and future. With players this year, like Krajicek, Nastase and Kendrick I think we are well on track for a great week of tennis.’’
Councillor Warren Bradley, Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, said: ‘’Securing the signature of greats such as Krajicek and Nastasie is great news for tennis fans.
‘’The fact that the tournament will be showcasing players of the past, present and future should help cement the Liverpool International as one of the premier tennis event in Britain.’’
The format of the Liverpool International will be thus:
The ATP players event is a two groups of four round robin format. Starts Wednesday, June 9th. There will be four matches a day on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The winner and runner-up of each group will play in Semi-Finals on Saturday with the Final on Sunday.
There will also be a qualifying competition for local players to earn a wild card to the Tournament.
The Legends event is a double only format – starts Friday, June 11th. The Legends: Illie Nastase, Mansour Bahrami, Peter McNamara and Guillermo Vilas will play Friday, Saturday and Sunday with alternate partners each day. The winner will be the one who won the most sets.
Richard Krajicek will play two exhibition games on Wednesday and Thursday. His opponents will be named closer to the tournament.
The legends will also team up to support Liverpool International designate charities Habitat For Humanity and the Liverpool ECHO Sunrise Fund. The charities involved will receive a contribution from the tournament, money will also be raised by auctions with memorabilia and signed items by the Legends.
A 5,000 seater stadium, with tented village, will be erected for the 2004 Liverpool International. Liverpool city council has been preparing the courts, with the assistance of professional agronomists, at Calderstones Park since 2001.
For further information please contact:
Mike Doran on 0151 225 5582 or 0780 145 3918 or Hege Tollerud on 07808 764 668 Media Co-ordinator Northern Vision Limited or log on to www.liverpooltennis.co.uk