STATOIL MASTERS TENNIS
THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
ATP CHAMPIONS TOUR
3-7 DECEMBER
LONDON
STATOIL MASTERS TENNIS – RODDICK TO RETURN TO LONDON FOR ROYAL ALBERT HALL DEBUT
Three-time Wimbledon runner-up Andy Roddick is to return to London to make his debut at the Statoil Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall, 3-7 December.
Roddick, who won the hearts of British tennis fans when he lost a heart-breaking 16-14 final set to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2009, is excited to return.
“I love London, I love playing in front of British fans, and I’m really looking forward to playing in the Statoil Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time,” said Roddick. “After the 2009 Wimbledon final I felt that people really understood me in Britain, and I’ll never forget the response. It’s exciting to be able to come back post-career and play in another special arena against so many of my contemporaries.”
Greg Rusedski, the 1997 US Open runner-up and former World No.4, has also announced that he will return to the popular ATP Champions Tour event. Roddick and Rusedski will compete against four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman and two-time Grand Slam runner-up Mark Philippoussis in round-robin action, with other yet-to-be-announced stars.
As well as competing in the ATP Champions Tour event, Roddick will join Henman, John McEnroe, Kim Clijsters and Sabine Lisicki for the Mylan World TeamTennis Smash Hits tennis charity event co-hosted by Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King, which will be held in the evening session on finals day – Sunday December 7th. It is the first time that the event will be held outside the United States, and will raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. For more information on Mylan WTT Smash Hits, visit www.WTTSmashHits.com.
McEnroe will also feature in an exhibition legends competition throughout the week with players of his generation, while in doubles action, the ever-popular Mansour Bahrami will also return to the Royal Albert Hall.
Roddick burst on the scene as a teenager, winning the US Open in 2003 and reaching World No.1. He narrowly lost out to Federer in the 2004 Wimbledon final, and again the following year. He broke the record for the world’s fastest service on a number of occasions, including a 155mph missile in Davis Cup jn 2004. Since retiring at the US Open in 2012, Roddick has joined Fox Sports, appearing nightly on a live sports panel show, as well as the Fox Sports Live podcast. He made his ATP Champions Tour debut in Delray Beach, Florida, in February.
Rusedski, like Roddick, also held the record for the world’s fastest serve when he hit a 149mph delivery in Indian Wells in 1998. He vied with Tim Henman for the British No.1 spot for a decade, and they were a formidable doubles force in Davis Cup.
The Statoil Masters Tennis, and IMG event, has enjoyed record ticket-sales so far in 2014, and fans can be part of the showpiece event of the ATP Champions Tour, with prices from £18.50, at http://www.statoilmasterstennis.com/tickets/ or by calling the Royal Albert Hall box office on: +44 (0) 20 7070 4404.
Hospitality packages are also available via www.statoilmasterstennis.com
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 30 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include College, Media, IMG Academy, Events and Federations, Golf, Tennis, Fashion, Models, Clients, Consulting, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; world-class partnerships with sponsors, brands and broadcasters; and marquee assets across entertainment, events and fashion.
About Statoil (UK) Ltd
Statoil is an international energy company with operations in 36 countries. Building on 40 years of experience from oil and gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf, we are committed to accommodating the world’s energy needs in a responsible manner, applying technology and creating innovative business solutions. We are headquartered in Stavanger, Norway with approx. 23,000 employees worldwide, and are listed on the New York and Oslo stock exchanges. More information is available at www.Statoil.com.
Topics: Andy Roddick, Greg Rusedski, John Mcenroe, London, Royal Albert Hall, Statoil Masters, Tennis, Tim Henman
#STATOILMASTERS – @andyroddick JOINS TIM #HENMAN & @GregRusedski1 & THE GREAT #BAHRAMI- http://t.co/394wUTmAxL #tennis