Grand Champions Brazil
- City:
- Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Dates:
- May 26-29, 2011
- Venue:
- Sociedade Harmonia de Ténis
- Director:
- Pedro Aguiar Frazao
- Surface:
- Clay (Outdoor)
- Website:
- www.grandchampionsbrasil.com.br
- 2009 Photo Gallery
- 2009 Results
- 2010 Results
- 2011 Results
Pete Sampras had not played a competitive tennis match since retiring from the sport after winning his 14th and final Grand Slam tournament at the 2002 US Open. The American chose Sao Paulo as the location for his ATP Champions Tour debut in 2008, and he did not regret his selection for a moment, beating Marcelo Rios in the final to win the title.
In 2009, it was Thomas Enqvist’s turn to make his mark on Sao Paulo. The Swede made his ATP Champions Tour debut there, winning the tournament and kicking off a 17-match winning streak. In 2010 Enqvist returned to Sao Paulo to retain his title, beating fellow Davis Cup Captain Guy Forget in the final. The 2009 Grand Champions Brazil was also the place that Marcelo Rios chose to publicly unveil his drastic new haircut. The Chilean had been famed for his flowing black locks tied back in a pony-tail, but arrived in Sao Paulo last year sporting a shaven buzz cut.
As well as hosting the season-ending Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo is also one of the candidates to host matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, for which Brazil is the host nation. Rio de Janeiro will also be the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games, the first time the Games have been held in South America. Sao Paulo is Brazil’s largest city and is also one of the five largest cities in the world.
Announced players for 2011: Carlos Moya, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Thomas Muster, Thomas Enqvist, Andres Gomez, Flavio Saretta.
