TENNIS RETURNS TO WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS ARENA
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.
New York, NY- January 9, 2008 — The world’s top ranked male tennis player, Roger Federer, will take on the most decorated Grand Slam player ever, Pete Sampras in the NetJets Showdown presented in association with The Marquis Jet Card and Men’s Vogue magazine at Madison Square Garden on Monday, March 10.
“I have always wanted to play a match in Madison Square Garden,” said Federer. “To have a chance to take on Pete once again at the NetJets Showdown is very exciting.”
“I am extremely excited to compete against Roger in the United States,” said Sampras. “And to have it take place in New York at The Garden will make it an extra special night.”
The NetJets Showdown is a StarGames production in association with eight-time Grand Slam Champion Ivan Lendl and Madison Square Garden. This match will mark the first time since 2000 that tennis will be played at the World’s Most Famous Arena.
“Madison Square Garden is the worlds’ greatest stage, every top performer in every profession has performed here,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Sports. “We are excited to have Pete and Roger perform on this great stage in front of the greatest fans.”
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“NetJets is proud to sponsor this match where two of the greatest tennis players of all time will face off,” said NetJets Chairman and CEO Richard T. Santulli. “It was a natural fit for us. Pete and Roger are both NetJets owners and great friends, it is an historic occasion and it’s at the Garden.”
Both champions fly with NetJets. Pete Sampras has been a NetJets Owner since 1996 and Roger Federer since 2004.
Limited VIP tickets priced at $1,000.00 and additional tickets listed at $500.00, $250.00, $125.00, $75.00 and $50.00 will officially go on sale Thursday, January 10 at 12 noon and can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden box office and all Ticketmaster outlets.
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Roger Federer vs. Pete Sampras
Federer and Sampras, arguably the two best tennis players of all-time, crossed paths only once while active members of the men’s professional tour – it was the young up-and-coming Federer who beat the veteran Sampras in a fourth round match at Wimbledon in 2001.
Sampras, who began his professional career at the age of 16 in 1988, currently holds the most Grand Slam singles titles (14), the most Wimbledon titles (7), two Australian Open titles, five US Open singles titles, and also the record for the most number of weeks as World No. 1 with a total of 286 weeks.
After his victory over Andre Agassi in the 2002 U.S. Open, where he captured his record 14th Grand Slam, Sampras retired from the pro tour. Sampras walked away with a total of 64 singles titles and a World No. 1 ranking, which he held for a record six consecutive years from 1993 – 1998. Sampras was just recently inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Roger Federer, a Swiss born 26 year-old, is currently the No. 1 player in the world and is quickly approaching the numerous records that Sampras currently holds. Federer has held the No. 1 ranking since February 2, 2004 and has won 12 Grand Slam Titles (second only to Sampras), three Tennis Masters Cup titles, and 14 ATP Masters Series titles. He has appeared in eleven consecutive Grand Slam singles finals and is the only male player to play in the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments in two consecutive years.
Federer is also the only player to win both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in four consecutive years beginning back in 2004 and the only person to win three Grand Slam titles in a calendar year a record three times (2004, 2006 and 2007).
The NetJets Showdown in association with The Marquis Jet Card and Men’s Vogue magazine at Madison Square Garden will be the first time Federer and Sampras have ever faced each other in the United States. Additionally, this will mark Federer’s first time playing in Madison Square Garden and only the second time for Sampras. Sampras last played at The Garden on Dec. 20, 1996 in the Nike Cup.
MSG Sports Properties is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P., owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation, and includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the Beacon Theatre; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and FSN New York; fuse, the music television network; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.
Roger Federer vs. Pete Sampras
StarGames, LLC (www.stargamesinc.com) is a full service sports marketing and production company based outside of Boston, MA. Now in its 14th year, StarGames produces programming for television, broadband and DVD home distribution. In addition, StarGames creates and produces live sporting/entertainment events, represents professional athletes and operates its own broadband channels through affiliations with YouTube and TVUNetworks.
NetJets Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the worldwide leader in private aviation and provides the safest and most secure private aviation solutions. NetJets fractional aircraft ownership allows individuals and companies to buy a share of a private business jet at a fraction of the cost of whole aircraft ownership, and guarantees availability 365 days a year with just a few hours’ notice. The NetJets programs worldwide offer the largest and most diversified fleet in private aviation, which includes 15 of the most popular business jets in the world. Access to the NetJets fleet is also available in the form of a short-term lease, sold on an all-inclusive, pre-paid basis in 25-hour increments, through an exclusive alliance with Marquis Jet Partners. NetJets Inc. also offers aircraft management, charter management, and on-demand charter services through its subsidiary, Executive Jet Management. More information on NetJets, the Marquis Jet Program, and Executive Jet Management is available at www.netjets.com.
