McEnroe Headlines New Delray Beach, Fla., 2010 Senior Tennis

Posted on August 22, 2009

The biggest star at next year's ATP event in Delray Beach, Fla., could very well be John McEnroe. The former No. 1 was announced as a headliner for a new ATP Champions Tour senior event that will be held in conjunction with the ATP World Tour Delray Beach stop.

McEnroe will be joined among the field by fellow former No. 1 Mats Wilander and Wimbledon champ Pat Cash next February at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships for the 2010 event. The two events will form a nine-day tennis festival from Feb. 20-28, 2009, with five other senior players to be named for the field.

Delray Beach joins Zurich, Switzerland as new senior tour events on the 2010 calendar. The 50+ McEnroe, who threatens his retirement from senior tennis each year, will apparently play on in 2010. The U.S. has traditionally been the exclusive stomping ground for the Jim Courier-run Outback Champions Series senior tour, but the European ATP senior tour will now have an inroad in the U.S.

"I work hard to stay in shape off the court so that I can still play well when I get out there," McEnroe said. "To be able to play an ATP Champions Tour event in Delray Beach -- a tournament in the U.S. -- is an extra incentive to stay fit. I'm looking forward to it and I want to win."

Jan Felgate is CEO of the ATP Champions Tour.

"As soon as our players heard about the event they were queuing up to take part, and we believe it will be a big success," she said. "It's great for the ATP Champions Tour to have a tournament in the United States and we are delighted to be working with the organizers of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships."

McEnroe is currently third behind the No. 1 Courier and No. 2 Pete Sampras on the 2009 Outback standings.