Tennis Legend John McEnroe To Take On Andy Roddick In World TeamTennis NY Sportimes Match July 14

May 6, 2010 - PRLog -- NEW YORK – The New York Sportimes today announced a surprise inter-generational match-up of U.S. tennis greats, along with a host of significant  fan-friendly promotions for their seven July 2010 WTT home match dates at the new, $18 million state-of-the-art SPORTIME at Randall’s Island Tennis Center, featuring the 2,000 seat Sportimes Stadium.  Just included in the Sportimes’ 2010 schedule will be an added treat for NYC tennis fans, as tennis legend and Sportimes’ captain, John McEnroe, faces current American #1 and 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick for the first time ever in New York City, as part of the Sportimes’ July 14 matchup with the Philadelphia Freedoms.  

“The NY Sportimes World TeamTennis season is all about bringing world-class tennis and stars from three generations to the people of New York City, close to where they live and at a price they can afford.  WTT action provides something for everyone,” said Sportimes’ General Manager John Dato. “We want everyone to come out this July, so we are offering free shuttle buses from Manhattan and even reimbursing tolls on the RFK Bridge.  We want to make sure that all tennis fans have a great experience from the minute they decide to come to a NY Sportimes’ match until the minute they leave, and that they will come back to see more great tennis and tennis stars at NYC’s newest facility.”

The Sportimes will provide free shuttle bus service from several stops on the East Side of Manhattan, starting two hours prior to each match and returning to the same locations following the conclusion of each night’s events.  For the matches on July 5th, 11th and 12th, the team will also reimburse Sportimes ticket holders who drive to Randall’s Island for these Sportimes matches for their RFK bridge toll.  Ticket holders who submit a paid toll receipt, or who show an EZ-Pass badge, will have the cost of the toll subtracted from their ticket price and those who purchase tickets in advance will have the cost of the toll reimbursed on site.

The Sportimes will honor all New York, New Jersey and Connecticut individual and team 2009-10 high school tennis champions with a special on court ceremony and promotion prior to the team’s matchup with James Blake and the Boston Lobsters on Wednesday, July 7.  They will also host Family Day and Indian Heritage Day July 11, when Prakash Amritraj will be in town, as well as staging “Moms Night Out 1 and 2” on July 5 against the Washington Kastles and on July 19 against the New York Buzz.  The season opener July 5 will feature a host of special giveaways and a meet and greet with new mom and Sportimes’ star Ashley Harkleroad, mother of Charles.  And on July 19 tennis loving moms will get a chance to participate in a special event with 2009 US Open champion and new mom Kim Clijsters, mother of Jada.  

On July 14, McEnroe and the Sportimes will host Roddick and the Philadelphia Freedoms on Brooklyn-Queens Night, an evening inspired by Roddick’s better half, model Brooklyn Decker, as well as by the borough where captain McEnroe first hit a tennis ball in Douglaston.  Anyone named for any of NYC’ s five boroughs, first or last name, or anyone showing up in a swimsuit, will be admitted free.  Also anyone proving they are a resident of Brooklyn or Queens will get a 20 pct. discount on team merchandise.  If the Sportimes win the match, all Queens residents will leave with a special giveaway item;  if the Freedoms win, all Brooklyn residents will get a special giveaway.  On July 12, Foley’s New York will present Irish Tennis Night, with a special on court ceremony honoring the McEnroe family as the first inductees into the Foley’s New York Tennis Wall of Fame.

Sportimes’ captain McEnroe is playing in his 10th WTT season.  The July 19 matchup will feature Kim Clijsters, playing for the Sportimes with captain McEnroe in her only New York pre-US Open appearance, and facing off against former No. 1 Martina Hingis and her New York Buzz team.  

Other highlights of the Sportimes’ home schedule include New York native James Blake’s visit with his Boston Lobsters team on Wednesday, July 7, and a return match with the Kastles and their star, world No. 1 Serena Williams, on July 15.
Tickets are available by calling 888-WTT-NYC1 or by visiting www.nysportimes.com.

New York Sportimes 2010 Home Schedule At Randalls Island
Monday, July 5   Washington Kastles
(Mom’s Night Out w Ashley Harkleroad)

Wednesday, July 7   Boston Lobsters (with James Blake)
High School Champions Night

Sunday, July 11   Philadelphia Freedoms - 4:00 p.m. start
Tennis Family Day, Junior TeamTennis Day, Indian Heritage Day
   
Monday, July 12   Springfield Lasers (USTA Eastern Sectional @ Sportimes RI)
Foley’s New York Irish Tennis Night

Wednesday, July 14   Philadelphia Freedoms (John McEnroe vs. Andy Roddick)
   “Brooklyn-Queens Night”*

Thursday, July 15   Washington Kastles (with Serena Williams)
Monday, July 19   New York Buzz (with Martina Hingis) – (John McEnroe and Kim Clijsters will be playing for the Sportimes)*
   Mom’s Night Out 2      

All Matches Begin at 7 p.m. except July 11 at 4 p.m.
*To be televised on The Tennis Channel

New York Sportimes 2010 Away Schedule
Tuesday, July 6   @ NY Buzz (with Martina Hingis)
Thursday, July 8   @ Boston (with James Blake)
Friday, July 9      @ Philadelphia
Tuesday, July 13   @ NY Buzz (with John McEnroe for NYS and Martina Hingis for NY Buzz)
Saturday, July 17   @ Boston
Tuesday, July 20   @ Washington (John McEnroe for NYS)
Thursday, July 22   @ Newport Beach (John McEnroe for NYS)