McEnroe to Face Courier in World TeamTennis Action Tonight at Sportime Stadium

July 22, 2013 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff

On July 22, former world number ones, Davis Cup standouts and International Tennis Hall of Famers John McEnroe and Jim Courier will battle it out on the Sportime Stadium hard court on as the New York Sportimes take on the Texas Wild in a World TeamTennis (WTT) matchup. The annual night benefiting the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP) will also feature fellow Hall of Famer and Mylan WTT Co-Founder Billie Jean King in celebration of the 40th anniversary year of her historic matchup with Bobby Riggs in the famed "Battle of the Sexes."

"Jim Courier has meant so much to American tennis, and we couldn’t be more pleased that he and the Texas Wild will be the opponent for this special night," said Sportime Clubs and New York Sportimes CEO Claude Okin. "To have two of our country’s all-time premier players and tennis ambassadors in Jim and in our own Captain and leader, John McEnroe, will make for a very competitive and entertaining evening, but most importantly will ultimately help so many children in New York."

JMTP scholarship recipients attend the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, which is completing its third year at Sportime Randall’s Island.

"The JMTP Benefit night is a highlight of the year for me and for the Johnny Mac Tennis Project," said McEnroe. "My commitment is stronger than ever to the youth of New York, and just as Bjorn and Andre helped make the evening special in years past, getting to compete against Jim again will, I hope, pump people up about American tennis—past and future."

The night will also be part of a year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of the "Battle of the Sexes" match between King and Riggs, which took place in Houston on Sept. 20, 1973. The spectacle, won by King in straight sets, is often cited as a turning point towards females earning equality in many aspects of American life.

"I am honored and excited to be participating in this benefit, and to help John do what he is doing in his home town of New York City," said Courier. "I live in NYC and I practice at Sportime so I see what John and his Academy are accomplishing there. I wanted to do my part to support John’s efforts in furthering the development of American tennis and young players in NYC."


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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