Liverpool Event Hosts Krajicek's Comeback
Photo By Susan Mullane By Tennis Week
02/18/2004
Richard Krajicek is ready to make a comeback — for one event anyway. The 1996
Wimbledon winner — who officially retired from tournament tennis last year, bu
t stays active in the sport as the Rotterdam tournament director — will play a
pair of exhibitions to launch the Liverpool International Tennis tournament in
June.
The 32-year-old Dutchman, whose 6-4 career record against Pete Sampras makes hi
m one of the only players in history to hold a winning record against the 14-ti
me Grand Slam champion, will face an opponent to be named closer to the event.
Scheduled for June 9-13th at Calderstone Park, the Liverpool International is b
eing billed as the only European event, aside from Wimbledon, to feature both a
singles field for ATP players and a doubles draw featuring tennis legends incl
uding Ilie Nastase, Mansour Bahrami, Peter McNamara and Guillermo Vilas.
At a press conference conducted in Liverpool today, tournament organizer Anders
Borg announced Americans Robert Kendrick and Vince Spadea are the first two AT
P players to commit to playing the eight-man, round-robin singles events.
The 24-year-old Kendrick reached the San Jose semifinals last week before falli
ng to compatriot Andy Roddick. Kendrick's fellow Floridian, Spadea, is currentl
y ranked No. 28.
The 29-year-old Spadea competed in the inaugural year of the event, which was w
on by former No. 1 and 2004 Australian Open finalist Marat Safin.
"I want the Liverpool International to be known for bringing new and up and com
ing stars to people’s attention and give fans a tennis treat from yesteryear,"
said Borg, who is no relation to the five-time Wimbledon winner though he repo
rtedly boasts a potent two-handed backhand. "Liverpool is an amazing city and C
alderstones Park is a fantastic setting. Thanks to the support of the city coun
cil and local business we now have a tournament that can attract the best of th
e past, present and future. With players this year, like Krajicek, Nastase and
Kendrick I think we are well on track for a great week of tennis.’’
The ATP players event consists of two groups of four players competing in a rou
nd-robin format. Opening day of play starts Wednesday, June 9th. There will be
four matches a day on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The winner and runner-up
of each group will play in Saturday's semifinals with the final staged on Sunda
y.
The Legends event is a double only format that gets underway on Friday, June 11
th. Nastase, Bahrami, McNamara and Vilas will play Friday, Saturday and Sunday
with alternate partners each day. The player who wins the most sets will be Leg
ends champion.
A 5,000 seat stadium, with tented village, will be erected for the 2004 Liverpo
ol International. Tickets are now on sale at the Liverpool Tennis web site or b
y calling the tournament box office at 0151 227 5940 or ticketmaster at 0870 16
9 0107 (24 hours).
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