Champions Meet Juniors in Unique Event in Zurich in 2010
The ATP Champions Tour has unveiled a new and unique addition to its 2010 calender, the BNP Paribas Zurich Open. The event, to be held at Zurich’s Saalsporthalle from the 9th to the 13th of March 2010, will bring the likes of John McEnroe and Stefan Edberg together with eight of the world’s best junior players in what is set to be an unprecedented celebration of tennis’ past and future champions.
The ATP Champions Tour event will follow the usual format, with eight past World Number Ones, Grand Slam Champions and Davis Cup winners competing for the title over four days. The twist is that, alongside these champions, eight of the world’s best junior players will compete in their own parallel tournament. Then, on the final day of the event, tennis’ past and future champions will unite to play side by side in a doubles tournament where teams formed of one legend and one junior will do battle against one another. The event is being billed as 'Where Champions Meet Talents'.
Swedish legend Stefan Edberg and seven-time Grand Slam Champion John McEnroe have already confirmed their participation in the BNP Paribas Zurich Open, and six more of tennis’ greatest Champions will be added to the field over the coming weeks and months.
As for the juniors, three of the eight competitors will qualify directly for the tournament by virtue of their ITF ranking, while a further four players will earn their place through a qualifying event to be held in the Autumn of this year. The eighth and final place in the field will be a wildcard, invited by the tournament.
The Swiss capital will be a new stop on the ATP Champions Tour, and Tour CEO Jan Felgate believes the BNP Paribas Zurich Open will be an exciting addition for 2010.
“We are delighted to be working in collaboration with the organisers of the Zurich Open next year and we believe that this event will be a big success,” she said.
With its pioneering format and exciting line-up of players, not only will the BNP Paribas Open firmly establish the city of Zurich onto the world map of tennis, but it is also sure to be one of the biggest attractions of the year on the ATP Champions Tour in 2010.