NAPLES, Fla., March 13, 2008 – John McEnroe began what could be his final year of competitive tournament tennis Thursday, defeating Jimmy Arias 7-6(4), 2-6, 10-6 (Champions Tie Break) in his opening round-robin match at the $150,000 The Oliver Group Champions Cup at the Players Club & Spa at Lely Resort. In the evening’s other match, Mikael Pernfors defeated fellow Swede Magnus Larsson 7-6 (8), 7-6 (5). The Oliver Group Champions Cup is the opening event on the Outback Champions Series, a collection of tennis events around the world featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30.
McEnroe, who turned 49 on February 16, has hinted that he would stop playing tournament tennis after he turns 50. He said earlier this week that he is “looking at my options” as he begins his 30th full year as a tennis professional. The four-time U.S. champion showed his high octane competitive juices were still overflowing against the 43-year-old Arias, grinding out a 10-6 Champions Tie Break, played in lieu of a third-set, against the 1983 U.S. Clay Court and Italian Open champion.
“When you get to the tie-break, it really is a roll of the dice,” said McEnroe.“Once you get ahead (5-1 in Champions Tie Break) like that, it is tough to come back.”
Said Arias of the match, “I was ripping ground strokes tonight. My backhand was really good for me. I was happy with how I played.”
Pernfors, the two-time NCAA champion at the University of Georgia and 1986 French Open runner-up, credited his serve in the upset of Larsson in the night session’s opening match.
“I served better than I ever had, not necessarily with speed but with placement hitting the balls on the lines,” said Pernfors. “I served as good as I can and by being able to put some pressure on him. I can’t play better in this part of my career. I feel good physically and am moving well, which hasn’t been the case for a while.”
Larsson, a late entry into the Naples field after defending champion Wayne Ferreira withdrew due to a right wrist injury, reached at least the singles final in two of his three previous two Outback Champions Series events. In 2006, he won the title in Memphis, defeating Ferreira in the final, while he lost to Ferreira in the final in Houston, also in 2006.
“I struggled the whole match and was never able to get up,” said Larsson. “Mikael was definitely the better player tonight. I made some good shots, but did not have control of the ball throughout the match.”
Round-robin play continues Friday as Larsson takes on Arias in the afternoon session’s opening match, followed by Todd Martin against Aaron Krickstein. In the Friday evening session, Jim Courier takes on Anders Jarryd followed by McEnroe against Pernfors.
The Oliver Group Champions Cup features an eight-man round-robin match format with the winner of each four-player division meeting in the title match while second place finishers in each division meet in the third-place match. The event features $150,000 in prize money with an undefeated winner taking home $54,000 as well as Stanford Champions ranking points that will determine the year-end champion and the winner of a $100,000 bonus. More information – including ticket information – is available by visiting http://www.championsseriestennis.com
About The Outback Champions Series
Founded in 2005, the Outback Champions Series features eight events where champion tennis players continue to exercise their competitive instincts in tournament formats that feature prize money and Champions Series ranking points that determine a year-end No. 1 player on the Stanford Champions Rankings. To be eligible to compete on the Outback Champions Series, players must have either; reached a Grand Slam singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team. Each event also has the right to choose a “wild card” entrant.
About InsideOut Sports & Entertainment
InsideOut Sports & Entertainment is a New York City-based independent producer of proprietary events and promotions founded in 2004 by former world No. 1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. In 2005, InsideOut launched its signature property, the Outback Champions Series, a collection of tennis events featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. In addition, InsideOut produces many other successful events including one-night “Legendary Night” exhibitions as well as corporate outings, charity events and tennis fantasy camps, including the annual Ultimate Fantasy Camp. For more information, please log on to www.InsideOutSE.com or www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com
About C & H Events
C & H Events, Inc. is a full-service event management and marketing company based in Boca Raton, Fla. Among the tennis events C & H Events manages in addition to The Oliver Group Champions Cup is Swingtime Benefiting the Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation, Mardy’s Tennis and Jake’s Music Fest to benefit the Mardy Fish Foundation, the Bank of the West Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic and Couples Resorts Tennis Fantasy Camp. Please visit www.chevents.com for further details about C & H Events.
