Bank Of The West Classic To Host Meet and Greets With Tennis Legends

Written by: Staff on 12th June 2012

Bank Of The West Classic To Host Meet and Greets With Tennis Legends

epa03098039 US Davis Cup team captain Jim Courier during the team's training session in the Forum Arena in Fribourg, Switzerland, 09 February 2012. Switzerland will faces the USA in the Davis Cup World Group first round. EPA/PETER KLAUNZER |

For over 40 years the Bank of the West Classic has brought the best women’s players in the world to the Bay area. This year, in addition to seeing the likes of Serena Williams, Marian Bartoli and Jelena Jankovic, fans will also be able to see three of the greatest men’s players in tennis history.

On the evenings of July 11th-13th, tennis greats Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, and Michael Chang will relive old rivalries and friendships in a series of exhibition matches during the 2012 Bank of the West Classic.

For those people looking for a once in a lifetime experience, the Bank of the West Classic, taking place July 9th- 15th at the Taube Family Stadium at Stanford University, is offering special meet and greet opportunities with these tennis legends. With options for private and semi-private group experiences, these packages are a great opportunity for fans to meet their favorite players of the past.

The two options available include a “private” hospitality space for 50 guests, or a “semi-private” space for 25 guests. Each package includes, tickets to the evening session located in a prime location, a player visit which includes a Q&A and autograph/photo session, parking passes in premier lots, and an open bar serving beer and wine.

Sampras, Courier, and Chang were part of an era in which young American stars dominated the game of the tennis. And for many years, these three men were rivals on the ATP circuit, constantly competing for singles titles and championships.

Sampras, a 14-time Grand Slam champion, currently holds the record for the number of year-end word No. 1 rankings with six. He is most known for dominating the grass court, holding the record for most number of championships at Wimbledon with seven.

Courier is also a former world No. 1 with four Grand Slam titles, two each at the French and Australian Opens. He also holds the record for the youngest player ever to reach the finals of all four major Grand Slam events, achieving this by the age of 22.

In addition, Michael Chang is the youngest-ever male singles player to win a Grand Slam title, winning the French Open in 1989 at the age of 17. He also became the youngest player to be ranked in the Top 5 and won 34 singles titles throughout his career.

The schedule of the 2012 Bank of the West Classic exhibitions matches is as follows:

Wednesday July 11th, Sampras vs Chang, 7:00 pm

Thursday July 12th, Sampras vs Courier, 7:00 pm

Friday July 13th, Courier vs Chang, NB 8:00 pm

Topics: 2012 Bank of the West Classic tennis, and Michael Chang, Jelena Jankovic, Jim Courier, Marian Bartoli, Pete Sampras, Serena Williams, Sports, tennis legends