Sock Stops By Manhattan Plaza to Promote BNP Paribas Showdown
The number one ranked American male Jack Sock was in New York City on Monday, putting on a clinic for kids at Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club and promoting the 10th anniversary of the BNP Paribas Showdown, which is set to hit Madison Square Garden on March 10.
“It’s one of the most infamous places you can play an event at,” Sock said of Madison Square Garden. “I never thought tennis would bring me in to play there. I’ve heard amazing things about the event. I watched Roger [Federer] and Grigor [Dimitrov] play there. The crowd seemed really engaged and into it.
I love being in this city, it’s one of my favorites in the world. I don’t get to come here often outside of the U.S. Open, so to be able to come back here is great, and hopefully we can put on a show and have a good time. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Some local New York City kids were able to hit on the court with Sock at Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club, which is located a few blocks west of Times Square, and ask some questions in a Q&A session.
Photo courtesy of USTA/Twitter @USTA
Sock was in New York following a weekend where he helped push the United States past Switzerland in the Davis Cup in Birmingham, Alabama. The Americans will play Australia in the quarterfinals in April.
“We have four very good singles and doubles players and we’re confident in any spot we play in,” said Sock. “We feel very confident about our team. If we’re playing well and confident, I think we can do really well.”
At the BNP Paribas Showdown, Sock will play Australian Nick Kyrgios in one of four matches. Juan Martin del Potro will play Kei Nishikori, Venus Williams will take on Garbine Muguruza and Andy Roddick will face off with Lleyton Hewitt as there will be eight players for the first time in the event’s history.
“This year is going to be completely different than in years past,” BNP Paribas Showdown creator Jerry Solomon said. “We’re playing a team format, Americas versus the world. We’re going to be play no-ad scoring, a shorter form of tennis which we think we will add to the excitement, and have the players play in a format they don’t normally do. I think it will add something for the fans that have always seen great tennis and entertainment here.”
