AZCENTRAL: NAVRATILOVA, AUSTIN JOIN MEN AT CANCER TREATMENT CENTERS OF AMERICA’S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SURPRISE
The bleachers are up. In just six days, six of the greatest players in tennis will take center court in Surprise for the fifth annual Cancer Treatment Centers of America’s Tennis Championships.
More than 1,600 tennis fans come to Surprise to watch the competitive circuit of retired pros, and this year organizers added more star power. The tournament will include a special doubles match-up. Surprise is the only stop on the circuit that has an extra day of non-tournament play featuring women players. For the first time, the legendary Martina Navratilova will join the championships for a mixed-doubles match with Jim Courier, Tracy Austin and John McEnroe on Oct. 12.
Ticket holders for Saturday’s tournament action will see matches between Courier, McEnroe, Michael Chang and Todd Martin.
Among them, the players at the tournament have earned 32 Grand Slam singles titles.
Surprise hosts the first tournament in the 10-city National PowerShares Series at the city’s Tennis and Racquet Complex, just off Bullard Avenue on 14469 W. Paradise Lane. The circuit, for tennis champions over 30, moves on to Detroit; Boston; Philadelphia; New York; Tampa; Atlanta; San Jose, Calif.; Las Vegas; and Denver. The top three finishers will split a $1 million prize at the end of the season.
The event this year includes the return of the full-size Carrabba’s Champions Club, a catered dining facility, along with practice clinics and question-and-answer sessions with the players for VIP ticket holders.
MEET THE PLAYERS (Tracy Austin, Michael Chang, Jim Courier, Todd Martin, John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova): Follow this link for player bios and fun facts!
