NEW YORK, N.Y., February 5, 2008 – InsideOut Sports & Entertainment and C & H Events, Inc. today announced that Swedes Mikael Pernfors and Anders Jarryd and Americans Jimmy Arias and Aaron Krickstein will complete the eight-player field at the 2008 The Oliver Group Champions Cup in Naples, Fla., March 12-16 at The Players Club & Spa at Lely Resort.
The Oliver Group Champions Cup will kick off the 2008 Outback Champions Series, a collection of tennis events around the world featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. Pernfors, Jarryd, Arias and Krickstein join the field that also includes former world No. 1 players John McEnroe and Jim Courier, defending champion Wayne Ferreira and former U.S. and Australian Open finalist Todd Martin.
McEnroe, Ferreria, Pernfors and Arias compose Round Robin Group A with Courier, Martin, Krickstein and Jarryd in round robin Group B.The first-place finishers in each group will advance to Sunday’s championship match with the second place finishers advancing into the third-place playoff. The full schedule of play is as follows;
SCHEDULE FOR 2008 THE OLIVER GROUP CHAMPIONS CUP
Wednesday, March 12
Beginning at 7 pm
Todd Martin vs. Anders Jarryd
Followed by
Jim Courier vs. Aaron Krickstein
Thursday, March 13
Beginning at 7 pm
Wayne Ferreira vs. Mikael Pernfors
Followed by
John McEnroe vs. Jimmy Arias
Friday, March 14
Beginning at 2 pm
Wayne Ferreira vs. Jimmy Arias
Followed by
Todd Martin vs. Aaron Krickstein
Beginning at 7 pm
Jim Courier vs. Anders Jarryd
Followed by
John McEnroe vs. Mikael Pernfors
Saturday, March 15
Beginning at 1:30 pm
Aaron Krickstein vs. Anders Jarryd
Followed by
Todd Martin vs. Jim Courier
Beginning at 6:30 pm
Mikael Pernfors vs. Jimmy Arias
Followed by
John McEnroe vs. Wayne Ferreira
Sunday, March 16
Beginning at 1:30 pm
Third-place Match
Followed by
Championship Match
Krickstein was a finalist at The Oliver Group Champions Cup in 2007, losing to Ferreira in the final. He finished the 2007 season on the Outback Champions Series with a No. 7 ranking. He reached a career-high ATP ranking of No. 6 and helped the United States to victory in the Davis Cup in 1990, with epic wins over Milan Srejber and Petr Korda of Czechoslovakia in the quarterfinals. Krickstein was a semifinalist at the U.S. Open in 1990 and the Australian Open in 1995 and won nine singles titles during his career. In 1983, at the age of 16 years, two months, he became the youngest male to win an ATP singles tournament when he won the title in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Pernfors, a fourth-place finisher in Naples in 2006, is best known for his run to the singles final at the 1986 French Open, where he defeated Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker before losing to Ivan Lendl in the final. Pernfors won three ATP singles titles including the Canadian Open in 1993 where he came from 2-5 down in the third set to defeat Martin in the final. Pernfors helped Sweden to the Davis Cup final in 1986 and won back-to-back NCAA singles titles for the University of Georgia in 1984 and 1985.
Jarryd reached a career high ranking of No. 5 in 1985 when he reached the semifinals of Wimbledon. He won eight career titles and 59 doubles titles during his ATP career, including three French Open titles, two Wimbledon titles, two US Open titles and one Australian Open title. Jarryd was also a stalwart on the Swedish Davis Cup, helping his nation to titles in 1984, 1985 and 1987.
Arias, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 5 in 1984, was a semifinalist at the 1983 US Open where he defeated French Open champion Yannick Noah en route. Arias won five singles titles during his career, including the Italian Open and the U.S. Clay Court Championships. Arias represented the United States in Davis Cup play for three years in 1984, 1986 and 1987.
The Oliver Group Champions Cup features $150,000 in prize money with an undefeated winner taking home $54,000. Players also will compete for Champions Series points that will determine the Stanford Champions Rankings year-end No. 1 on the Outback Champions Series and the winner of a $100,000 year-end bonus.
All Champions Series events feature eight-man round-robin match formats 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.
Tickets begin at just $15 and can be purchased by calling 877-332-TIXX (8499) or 954-241-7936.
Founded in 2005, the 2007 Outback Champions Series featured seven 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. 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.
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
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.

NEW YORK, N.Y., January 8, 2008 – InsideOut Sports & Entertainment today announced that The Residences at The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman will host a new Outback Champions Series tennis tournament, April 16-20, 2008 as the U.S.-based champions tennis circuit continues its international expansion. The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships becomes the latest event outside of the United States on the Outback Champions Series, the international tennis circuit featuring the greatest names in tennis age 30 and over.

Photo © Courtesy of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment

“The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is a stunning venue for the latest addition to the Outback Champions Series,” said Jon Venison, co-founding partner of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment and the Outback Champions Series. “This event will be the marquee tennis event in the Caribbean and is a great opportunity for fans to visit the Cayman Islands for an exciting tennis-themed vacation. The popularity and interest in the Outback Champions Series continues to grow and we are excited that The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships is the latest in our expanding portfolio of events.”
“The Outback Champions Series and The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships reinforces our commitment to making Grand Cayman the premier tennis destination in the Caribbean,” said Michael Ryan, owner and developer of The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and event title sponsor. “We’re looking forward to hosting many of the best tennis players in the world and welcoming athletes and visitors alike with our relaxed Caymanian hospitality.”
Jim Courier, two-time French and Australian Open champion and the Outback Champions Series No. 1 player in 2006, is among the early committed players to the field. Wayne Ferriera, a 1992 Olympic bronze medalist, and former U.S. Davis Cup standout Jimmy Arias have also committed to participate in the event.
“I am thrilled to get the opportunity to play in this event,” said Courier. “I have visited the Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and the resort is truly extraordinary. The field will surely be tough but I will be coming to win.”
The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships will feature $150,000 in prize money with an undefeated winner taking home $54,000. Players also will compete for Champions Series points that will determine the Stanford Champions Rankings year-end champion on the Outback Champions Series and the winner of a $100,000 year-end bonus. The event will be played on clay in an intimate stadium setting at the resort.
All Champions Series events feature eight-man round-robin match formats 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. To be eligible to compete on the Champions Series, players must have reached at least a Grand Slam singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team.
The complete player field as well as the entire 2008 Outback Champions Series schedule will be announced in the near future. More information can be obtained by visiting www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com . Tickets begin at just $15 and destination packages (including accommodations) are available. For more information on tickets and packages, call 877-332-TIXX (8499) or 954-241-7936.
Todd Martin, a singles finalist at the 1994 Australian Open and the 1999 US Open, finished 2007 as the No. 1 ranked player in the Stanford Champions Rankings that determine the year-end champion on the Outback Champions Series. Martin was followed at No. 2 by Courier, No. 1 on the 2006 Stanford Champions Points rankings, and 14-time Grand Slam tournament champion Pete Sampras at No. 3.
The 2007 Outback Champions Series kicked off March 7-11 in Naples, Fla.., at The Oliver Group Champions Cup where Wayne Ferreira of South Africa defeated Aaron Krickstein in the final. Sampras returned to tournament tennis for the first time since the 2002 US Open at the Champions Cup – Boston and won the title, defeating Martin in the final.Sampras also won the third event on the 2007 Outback Champions Series, the Champions Cup – Athens, in his first ever visit to Greece, the homeland of his father Sam and mother Georgia. Martin won the Gibson Guitar Champions Cup in August in Newport, R.I., defeating John McEnroe in the final. Sampras won The Championships at The Palisades – in September in Charlotte, N.C., defeating Martin in the final. Ferreira won his second title of 2007 at The Stanford Championships in Dallas, defeating Courier in the final. Newcomer Paul Haarhuis won the final event of the Series in Dubai in November, defeating Courier in the final.
The 2008 Outback Champions Series will kick off March 12-16 with The Oliver Group Champions Cup in Naples, Fla.
About The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Stretching ocean to ocean from the acclaimed Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman have set a lavish new standard of living on the Caribbean’s most prosperous, cosmopolitan and safe islands. Comprised of an original offering of 69 elegant oceanfront homes and 7 South, an exclusive 20,000 square-foot penthouse, all anchored by the hotel itself, as well as the newest phases, The DeckHouses and Secret Harbour, The Residences are distinguished by an unparalleled lifestyle experience enhanced with the unique Endless Service program, which includes a fleet of luxury automobiles and intrepid 36-foot motor yachts available for use when in residence. Owners also have access to the legendary service and amenities of the $500 million Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman resort, including Silver Rain, the first La Prairie Spa in the Caribbean; five dining venues including Blue by Eric Ripert of top-ranking New York restaurant Le Bernardin; a tennis center by Nick Bollettieri; the Ambassadors of the Environment by Jean-Michel Cousteau children’s program; and Blue Tip, a Greg Norman-designed golf course. For more information, visit www.residences-cayman.com
About The Outback Champions Series
Founded in 2005, the 2007 Outback Champions Series featured seven 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. 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 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

NEW YORK, N.Y., January 3, 2008 – InsideOut Sports & Entertainment and C & H Events, Inc. today announced that Todd Martin will join the field of tennis champions at The Oliver Group Champions Cup, the first event on the 2008 Outback Champions Series, held March 12-16 at The Players Club & Spa at Lely Resort. Martin, a finalist at the 1994 Australian Open and the 1999 US Open, will be making his debut at The Oliver Group Champions Cup, a third-year event on the Outback Champions Series, the international tennis circuit for champion tennis players age 30 and older.

 Photo © Courtesy of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment

Martin joins Jim Courier and Wayne Ferreira – the event’s champions from the last two years – in the eight player field. Martin finished 2007 as the No. 1 ranked player in the Stanford Champions Rankings, the rankings that determine the year-end champion on the Outback Champions Series. Martin won the title in Newport, R.I. at the Gibson Guitar Champions Cup and posted runner-up finishes in Boston, Athens (Greece) and Charlotte. During his ATP Tour career, Martin won eight career singles titles and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 4. At the Australian Open in 1994, he reached the first major final of his career, upsetting Stefan Edberg in the semifinals before losing to Pete Sampras. At the US Open in 1999, he led Andre Agassi two-sets-to-one before falling in five sets in the final. Martin was also a stalwart on the U.S. Davis Cup team from 1994 to 2002, helping the team to the 1995 title and to the final round in 1997.
“Todd Martin finished first among an incredibly strong group of champions in the Stanford Champions Rankings in ‘07 so there is little doubt he is the man to beat as the Series kicks off in Naples,” said Jon Venison, co-founding partner of the Outback Champions Series. “Todd has played some dramatic matches on the biggest stages in tennis in the world and it will be a treat for fans in Naples to see him battle against his long-time rivals in some high-level competitive and entertaining tournament tennis.”
Tickets for the event are also now on sale and can purchased by calling (877) 332-TIXX (8499) or by visiting Championship Series Tennis . Courier won the inaugural Outback Champions Series event in Naples in 2006, defeating 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash 6-4, 7-6 (8) in the final. Ferreira won last year’s title, defeating former U.S. Davis Cup standout Aaron Krickstein 6-3, 6-3 in the final.
All Champions Series events feature eight-man round-robin match formats 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. Each Outback Champions Series event features $150,000 in prize money with an undefeated winner taking home $54,000 as well as Stanford Champions Rankings points that will contribute to determine the year-end champion and a $100,000 bonus.
Martin finished 2007 as the No. 1 ranked player in the Stanford Champions Rankings that determine the year-end champion on the Outback Champions Series. Martin was followed at No. 2 by Courier, No. 1 on the 2006 Stanford Champions Rankings, and Sampras at No. 3.
Founded in 2005, the 2007 Outback Champions Series featured seven events where champion tennis players continue to exercise their competitive instincts in tournament formats that feature prize money and Stanford Champions Series ranking points that determine a year-end No. 1 player. 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.
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 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
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 http://www.chevents.com for further details about C & H Events.

NEW YORK, N.Y., December 13, 2007 – InsideOut Sports & Entertainment and C &H Events, Inc. today announced that former champions Jim Courier and Wayne Ferreira will return to compete at the 2008 The Oliver Group Champions Cup, the first event on the 2008 Outback Champions Series, held March 12-16 at The Players Club & Spa at Lely Resort. The Oliver Group Champions Cup – a third-year event on the Outback Champions Series, the international tenniscircuit for champion tennis players age 30 and older – will feature eight players competing for $150,000 in prize money.
Tickets for the event are also now on sale – with special holiday discount pricing – and can purchased by calling (877) 332-TIXX (8499) or by visiting http://www.championsseriestennis.com/

  Photo © Courtesy of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment

Courier won the inaugural Outback Champions Series event in Naples in 2006, defeating 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash 6-4, 7-6 (8) in the final. Ferreira won last year’s title, defeating former U.S. Davis Cup standout Aaron Krickstein 6-3, 6-3 in the final.
“Jim and Wayne are two of the most successful players ever on the Outback Champions Series,” said Jon Venison, co-founding partner of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment and the Outback Champions Series. “They have both played some of their best tennis in Naples and will both be among the favorites to win at The Players Club & Spa at Lely Resort again this year.”
“The Oliver Group Champions Cup has grown tremendously over the last two years and we are looking forward to our best Naples event to date in March,” said Venison. “We will be announcing more star players in the field in the coming weeks as well as our full 2008 Outback Champions Series schedule that will continue to highlight the rapid expansion of the Series.”
Courier and Ferreira have each won a record three Outback Champions Series events since the circuit began in 2005 – tying them with Pete Sampras. Courier won the first ever event in Houston in 2005, as well as 2006 titles in Naples and Charlotte. Ferreira posted a win in Houston in 2006 as well as tournament victories in Naples and Dallas in 2007.
Courier, a two-time French and Australian Open champion, was ranked No. 1 in the world for 58 weeks and helped the United States to Davis Cup titles in 1992 and 1995. Ferreira was a silver medalist in doubles for South Africa at the 1992 Olympic Games and was a two-time semifinalist at the Australian Open – 11 years apart (1992 and 2003). Ferreira also played a record 56
consecutive Grand Slam tournaments from 1991 to 2004.
All Champions Series events feature eight-man round-robin match formats 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. Each Outback Champions Series event features $150,000 in prize money with an undefeated winner taking home $54,000 as well as Stanford Champions Rankings points that will contribute to determine the year-end champion and a $100,000 bonus.

 Photo © Courtesy of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment

Todd Martin, a singles finalist at the 1994 Australian Open and the 1999 US Open, finished 2007 as the No. 1 ranked player in the Stanford Champions Rankings that determine the year-end champion on the Outback Champions Series. Martin was followed at No. 2 by two-time French and Australian Open champion Jim Courier, No. 1 on the 2006 Stanford Champions Rankings, and 14-time Grand Slam tournament champion Pete Sampras at No. 3.
Founded in 2005, the 2007 Outback Champions Series featured seven events where champion tennis players continue to exercise their competitive instincts in tournament formats that feature prize money and Stanford Champions Series ranking points that determine a year-end No. 1 player. 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.
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 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
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 http://www.chevents.com/ for further details about C & H Events.

At 4:33 am local time Sunday morning in Melbourne, Lleyton Hewitt outlasted Marcos Baghdatis 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6- 7(4), 6-3 in the latest recorded finish of a match in the history of tennis – soon to be documented in the book THE BUD COLLINS HISTORY OF TENNIS ( www.newchapterpressmedia.com) The previous latest finish of a match was at the 2007 Australian Open, when Italy’s Andreas Seppi defeated American Bobby Reynolds 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-3 at 3:34 am (play delayed during the day due to excessive heat, causing for the match to start at 11:45 pm local time).

The Hewit-Baghdatis match lasted 4:45 – just 14 minutes shy of the epic four hour, 59 minute Andy Roddick victory over Younes El Aynaoui, 6-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 4-6, 21-19 in the 2003 quarterfinals and 26 minutes shy of the five-hour, 11 minute third round match (an Aussie record for longest singles match) in 1991 where Boris Becker beat Omar Camporese, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5), 0-6, 4-6, 14-12.
Hewitt lead 5-1 in the fourth set and held a match point at 5-2, before Baghdatis rallied.
The Hewitt-Baghdatis match began at 11:47 pm local time Saturday night – incorrectly reported on ESPN2 here in the United States as the latest ever start to a match at a major championship. There was a post-midnight start at the US Open back in 1987 when Gabriela Sabatini and Bev Bowes started their first round match just after midnight, following the four-hour plus epic between Boris Becker and Tim Wilkison (Becker winning 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2). Sabatini won the match 6-3, 6-3 in a match concluded at 1:30 am. Asked in the post-match press conference if she felt worried starting her match just after midnight, Sabatini said, “I wasn’t worried when I saw Beverly sleeping in the players’ lounge.”
In another late night match in 2006 in Tokyo, Benjamin Becker defeated Jiri Novak 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (4) in a round of 16 match that ended at 3:24 am (the third latest finish on record).
Said Bobby Reynolds, a former Vanderbilt University standout, of his 2007 late night finish, ”It felt like one of those late-nighters you have in college when you’ve got a paper to write and you need to drink a couple Cokes and get it done.”
Wrote Chris Clarey of The New York Times of the Reynolds-Seppi match, “Though tennis matches have certainly finished at that hour or later in some all-night, full-moon strain of the recreational game, there is no record of one having finished that late in a Grand Slam event or, for that matter, a regular tour event….The latest match at the United States Open was Mats Wilander’s victory against his fellow Swede Mikael Pernfors in the second round in 1993. That finished at 2:26 a.m., which still made the Swedes look like early birds in comparison.”
In that post-match press conference back in Flushing Meadows in 1993, Wilander was asked if he had ever played so late. Wilander dead-panned, “Played what?”

The New York Times (the paper of record some say) documented the historic Wilander-Pernfors match. Quoting the Times, “It began at 10:26 P.M. as a contest between two old friends blasting backhands and forehands past one another from 10 feet behind the baseline….As the fourth set progressed in the wee hours of Saturday morning, everyone present knew they were witnessing something special….And by the end of Mats Wilander’s miraculous 3-hour-59-minute, come-from-behind 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 victory over his fellow Swede Mikael Pernfors in the second round of the United States Open, the thousand or so die-hard fans scattered about Stadium Court were on their feet, applauding one of the best Open matches in recent memory.” (For the record, the official scorecard of the match, recorded the end time of the match at 2:26 am – all exact times of matches and times of day/night when matches start and finish are only official when taken from the scorecard, as with reports from the Hewitt-Baghdatis match, which need to be 100 percent officially confirmed).In 2002 at the US Open, Younes El Aynaoui and Wayne Ferreira finished a round of 16 men’s match on Court No. 4 at 2:14 am – the Moroccan winning 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, 7-6 (3) in the second-latest finish at the US Open. Back in my USTA days, when I presented Younes with the information that he and Wayne were 13 minutes shy of US Open history, Younes laughed and said that he and Wayne should have agreed to go five sets to break the record.
Another late one came at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, when Nicolas Massu and Fernando Gonzalez of Chile won the doubles gold medal in a four-hour and 43-minute final-round 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 win over Nicolas Kiefer and Rainer Schuettler of Germany that concluded at 2:51 am local time in Greece. Even more remarkable, is that Massu turned around the next night and beat Mardy Fish 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the gold medal singles match.
Said Massu, “I didn’t sleep (after the doubles match). I sleep like four hours yesterday (actually the same day!), and I play a long match. I go to the bed like 6:30 a.m., because I arrive to the village at 4:35, then I eat, I get a massage, and then I wake up today at 12. I didn’t sleep like normal.”
Hewitt can use Massu as some inspiration as he next has to play No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic in the fourth round – probably scheduled for Monday night Melbourne time.

Some things we know about Senator Barack Obama, democratic candidate for President of the United States – Oprah Winfrey loves him, he is probably the best public orator among Presidential candidates since John and Robert Kennedy, he is for national health care, securing our borders with additional immigration agents and ending the war in Iraq. You should also know that he is a fan of James Blake and tennis.
My former girlfriend (who works in a high profile job) had the opportunity to speak to Sen. Obama this summer on a private conference call with her very high profile boss. When my ex-girlfriend was to give Obama instructions about a particular project, she told me there was a pause in the conversation as she scrambled to find the information to give to him. Wanting to bring up some small talk to kill the silence, she brought up tennis. She was still reeling from our fun outing from the previous night, watching the thrilling James Blake – Fabrice Santoro five-set second round US Open match. She asked the Senator if he watched the match. She told me that Obama enthusiastically responded and told her how exciting a match it was and he was glued to the TV until the conclusion at nearly 1 am. He proceeded to tell my ex-girlfriend in great detail and acumen how great a player Blake was, how much he admired him and how he had overcome so much (Santoro’s great shotmaking, Blake’s 0-for-9 five-set match record at the time and a difficulty of closing out a player who was cramping, but still able to compete at a high-level.) This is not to mention Blake’s comeback from his well-documented neck injury and zoster that resulted from the stress of dealing with the death of his father.
Blake, I recall from a short “Bag Check” segment on Tennis Channel, pulled out a copy of Obama’s book Dreams From My Father from his tennis bag, so I think there is some mutual respect and admiration.
If Obama does win the presidency, at least we won’t have to worry about a presidential double-fault like President Richard Nixon performed in 1969 when hosting the United States and Romanian Davis Cup teams at the White House prior to the Davis Cup Challenge Round (Final). The following excerpt from THE BUD COLLINS HISTORY OF TENNIS (www.newchapterpressmedia.com ), due out later this year, describes what happened.
President Richard M. Nixon, a bowler and golfer who secretly despised tennis, hosted both final-round teams at a White House reception. This was a nice gesture, but the Chief Executive caused a few awkward stares when, as a memento of the occasion, he presented each player with a golf ball. Perhaps these were left over, some speculated, from the golf-happy Eisenhower administration. “I’m a Republican, but I’ll never vote for him again,” grumbled (Cliff) Richey. “Why he do this?” said a puzzled (Ion) Tiriac. “No golf courses in Romania.”

It is a little ironic that Chris Evert and Greg Norman announced their engagement in South Africa at the South African Open golf championships where Norman was competing.
Back in 1973, shortly after both Evert and beau Jimmy Connors returned from South Africa after sweeping the women’s and men’s singles title at the South African Open tennis tournament, Evert announced her first engagement to Connors.
In his soon to be released book THE BUD COLLINS HISTORY OF TENNIS (www.newchapterpressmedia.com), Collins notes that upon returning from the South African Open, Evert was “flashing a South African diamond.” Evert and Connors were to be married on November 8, 1974, but the marriage was called off.
Evert later married British tennis player John Lloyd in 1979. That marriage ended in divorce in 1987. Evert then married Olympic skier Andy Mill in 1988. The couple had three boys before divorcing on November 13, 2006. Evert won 18 major singles titles, including a record seven French Open titles, six US Open titles, three Wimbledon titles and two Australian Open titles.