Borg to Play Seniors Boston Tennis
Posted on January 12, 2010Bjorn Borg, the iconic five-time Wimbledon champion from Sweden, will play his first tournament in the United States since 2000 when he competes at the $150,000 Staples Champions Cup, April 29-May 2 at the Agganis Arena in Boston.
Borg will be joined in the elite eight-player field by his legendary rival John McEnroe as well as other former world No. 1 players Jim Courier and Mats Wilander as well as Mark Philippoussis, Wayne Ferreira, Jimmy Arias and Mikael Pernfors. The event has been played in Boston since 2006 and will be title-sponsored for the first time by Staples, the world's largest office products company based in Framingham, Mass.
“Bjorn playing in the United States is a very rare occurrence so it makes the Staples Champions Cup that much more special this year,” said Courier. “He's one of our sport's greatest champions and to have him play on the Champions Series is a highlight for the circuit.”
Borg will play his opening match against fellow Swede Pernfors on Thursday, April 29 at 7 pm and will face the winner of the Friday evening quarterfinal match between McEnroe and Wilander on Saturday evening, May 1. Courier will face Arias in his opening match on Friday at 7 pm and will face the winner of the Philippoussis-Ferreira match on Saturday afternoon.
Borg last competed in a tournament in the United States in 2000, but has competed in numerous events and exhibitions elsewhere around the world. He is best known for his five consecutive Wimbledon titles from 1976-1980 and his six French Open titles won from 1974 to 1981. In 2010, tennis fans will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his epic duels with McEnroe in the finals of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, the Wimbledon final being regarded by some observers as the greatest match of all-time. Borg was able to win his fifth-straight title at the All England Club and stave off McEnroe, playing in his first Wimbledon final, by a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (16-18), 8-6 margin, highlighted by the famous 18-16 fourth-set tie-breaker.
Staples has been a supporting sponsor of the Boston event since the first event in Boston in 2006.
“We are very excited to have Staples assume the title sponsorship of our Boston event,” said Jon Venison, co-founding partner of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment. “Staples has been a loyal supporting sponsor of our Boston event since its inception in 2006 and we are proud that they have seen such value in our event platform in Boston to have increased their involvement in this marquee event.”
“Staples Champions Cup provides us with an exciting opportunity to raise awareness of Staples among a wide audience of tennis fans,” said Don LeBlanc, senior vice president of retail marketing for Staples. “The elite caliber of this year’s competitors will make it a memorable event for all participants.”
McEnroe was a singles finalist in Boston in 2009, losing to Pete Sampras 7-6 (10), 6-4 one day before his 50th birthday. He won the title in 2008, defeating Aaron Krickstein in the final, and was a finalist in the inaugural event in 2006, losing to Todd Martin. Sampras also won the title in 2007, defeating Martin in the final.
Borg will be joined in the elite eight-player field by his legendary rival John McEnroe as well as other former world No. 1 players Jim Courier and Mats Wilander as well as Mark Philippoussis, Wayne Ferreira, Jimmy Arias and Mikael Pernfors. The event has been played in Boston since 2006 and will be title-sponsored for the first time by Staples, the world's largest office products company based in Framingham, Mass.
“Bjorn playing in the United States is a very rare occurrence so it makes the Staples Champions Cup that much more special this year,” said Courier. “He's one of our sport's greatest champions and to have him play on the Champions Series is a highlight for the circuit.”
Borg will play his opening match against fellow Swede Pernfors on Thursday, April 29 at 7 pm and will face the winner of the Friday evening quarterfinal match between McEnroe and Wilander on Saturday evening, May 1. Courier will face Arias in his opening match on Friday at 7 pm and will face the winner of the Philippoussis-Ferreira match on Saturday afternoon.
Borg last competed in a tournament in the United States in 2000, but has competed in numerous events and exhibitions elsewhere around the world. He is best known for his five consecutive Wimbledon titles from 1976-1980 and his six French Open titles won from 1974 to 1981. In 2010, tennis fans will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his epic duels with McEnroe in the finals of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, the Wimbledon final being regarded by some observers as the greatest match of all-time. Borg was able to win his fifth-straight title at the All England Club and stave off McEnroe, playing in his first Wimbledon final, by a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (16-18), 8-6 margin, highlighted by the famous 18-16 fourth-set tie-breaker.
Staples has been a supporting sponsor of the Boston event since the first event in Boston in 2006.
“We are very excited to have Staples assume the title sponsorship of our Boston event,” said Jon Venison, co-founding partner of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment. “Staples has been a loyal supporting sponsor of our Boston event since its inception in 2006 and we are proud that they have seen such value in our event platform in Boston to have increased their involvement in this marquee event.”
“Staples Champions Cup provides us with an exciting opportunity to raise awareness of Staples among a wide audience of tennis fans,” said Don LeBlanc, senior vice president of retail marketing for Staples. “The elite caliber of this year’s competitors will make it a memorable event for all participants.”
McEnroe was a singles finalist in Boston in 2009, losing to Pete Sampras 7-6 (10), 6-4 one day before his 50th birthday. He won the title in 2008, defeating Aaron Krickstein in the final, and was a finalist in the inaugural event in 2006, losing to Todd Martin. Sampras also won the title in 2007, defeating Martin in the final.