CINCINNATI - May 5, 2006 - A new tennis fantasy camp will provide recreational players with an unprecedented chance to compete with tennis legends, watch contemporary stars and break bread with them during Cincinnati's historic Western & Southern Financial Group Masters.
"Tennis Fantasies with The Legends" takes place August 17-20, 2006, during the Cincinnati ATP Masters event.
This men's-only event includes a complete range of instruction, fantasy doubles matches, competitive team play and exhibitions. The quartet of tennis legends hosting the event features International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Guillermo Vilas, Australian Grand Slam doubles titlists Mark Woodforde and Ross Case, and American Davis Cupper Dick Stockton.
Campers attending the Cincinnati fantasy camp will split their time between the host club (The Club at Harper's Point), and the tournament site (the Lindner Family Tennis Center).
At Harper's, campers will play on eight Har-Tru and, in the event of rain, four indoor courts. At the Tennis Center, they will be given special credentials that provide access to the player dining area, as well as tickets to the tournament's Friday night quarterfinals, Saturday semifinals and Sunday finals matches.
Attendees will also have the chance to play at the event site and stay at the Cincinnati Marriott Northeast, the tournament's official player hotel.
The new Cincinnati event is the brainchild of Steve Contardi, co-founder with Hall of Famer John Newcombe of the original tennis fantasy camp that has been operating at Newcombe's ranch in Texas since 1988.
Says Contardi, "We're delighted to create an opportunity to host a camp like this in conjunction with a legendary pro tournament. Tennis players love being able to play and watch tennis during the same day, so why not give them the chance to do so with the game's very best?"
The W&SFG Masters is the oldest tournament in the U.S. played in its original city. The tournament began on September 18, 1899, and has been won by a galaxy of tennis stars, most recently Roger Federer, Lindsay Davenport, Andre Agassi, Patty Schnyder and Andy Roddick, to name only a few.
Costs to participate range from $1,900-$2,595. Those who wish merely to watch the action as a player guest can take part for as little as $700. For more information, contact Contardi at 1-800-874-7788 or e-mail him at stevec@tp1.com.
About the 2006 Tournaments
The 2006 W&SFG Women's Open will be held July 15-23, the W&SFG Seniors Championship is August 11-12, and the W&SFG Masters will be August 12-20. The nine ATP Masters Series events and the four Grand Slams form the 13 "major" events in men's tennis. The W&SFG Women's Open is a Tier III event on the international Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and the only WTA event in the Midwest. For tickets or information visit the tournament's website (www.cincytennis.com), or call 513-651-0303 or TicketMaster at 513-562-4949.
About Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a leading medical research and teaching hospital consistently ranked among the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation. Also it is the third-highest ranking recipient of research grants from the National Institutes of Health among pediatric institutions. For more information, go to www.cincinnatichildrens.org.
About the Charles M. Barrett Cancer Center
The Charles M. Barrett Cancer Center has a long-standing reputation for providing the most advanced and complete range of cancer services available in the region. It is a unique facility offering screening, diagnosis and treatment for all types of cancer at one central, convenient location. It has been ranked among the best in the US News and World Report guide to "America's Best Hospitals". It is located at University Hospital and is the cornerstone of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. For more information, go to www.health-alliance.com/cancer/hospital/university.html.
About Tennis for City Youth
The Seniors tournament is played for the benefit of "Tennis for City Youth," a program which funds lessons, clinics, and leagues and provides equipment for area youngsters who normally could not afford to learn to play tennis. To this end, donations are made to the Cincinnati Recreation Commission to further the cause of Cincinnati's National Junior Tennis League chapter. These donations are part of a joint program by the United States Tennis Association and the ATP tour to promote grassroots tennis.
