Cayman Islands To Host New Outback Champions Series Tennis Event
NEW YORK, N.Y., January 8, 2008 - InsideOut Sports & Entertainment today announced that The Residences at The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman will host a new Outback Champions Series tennis tournament, April 16-20, 2008 as the U.S.-based champions tennis circuit continues its international expansion. The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships becomes the latest event outside of the United States on the Outback Champions Series, the international tennis circuit featuring the greatest names in tennis age 30 and over.

Photo © Courtesy of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment
“The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is a stunning venue for the latest addition to the Outback Champions Series,” said Jon Venison, co-founding partner of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment and the Outback Champions Series. “This event will be the marquee tennis event in the Caribbean and is a great opportunity for fans to visit the Cayman Islands for an exciting tennis-themed vacation. The popularity and interest in the Outback Champions Series continues to grow and we are excited that The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships is the latest in our expanding portfolio of events.”
“The Outback Champions Series and The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships reinforces our commitment to making Grand Cayman the premier tennis destination in the Caribbean,” said Michael Ryan, owner and developer of The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and event title sponsor. “We’re looking forward to hosting many of the best tennis players in the world and welcoming athletes and visitors alike with our relaxed Caymanian hospitality.”
Jim Courier, two-time French and Australian Open champion and the Outback Champions Series No. 1 player in 2006, is among the early committed players to the field. Wayne Ferriera, a 1992 Olympic bronze medalist, and former U.S. Davis Cup standout Jimmy Arias have also committed to participate in the event.
“I am thrilled to get the opportunity to play in this event,” said Courier. “I have visited the Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and the resort is truly extraordinary. The field will surely be tough but I will be coming to win.”
The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships will feature $150,000 in prize money with an undefeated winner taking home $54,000. Players also will compete for Champions Series points that will determine the Stanford Champions Rankings year-end champion on the Outback Champions Series and the winner of a $100,000 year-end bonus. The event will be played on clay in an intimate stadium setting at the resort.
All Champions Series events feature eight-man round-robin match formats with the winner of each four-player division meeting in the title match while second place finishers in each division meet in the third-place match. To be eligible to compete on the Champions Series, players must have reached at least a Grand Slam singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team.
The complete player field as well as the entire 2008 Outback Champions Series schedule will be announced in the near future. More information can be obtained by visiting www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com . Tickets begin at just $15 and destination packages (including accommodations) are available. For more information on tickets and packages, call 877-332-TIXX (8499) or 954-241-7936.
Todd Martin, a singles finalist at the 1994 Australian Open and the 1999 US Open, finished 2007 as the No. 1 ranked player in the Stanford Champions Rankings that determine the year-end champion on the Outback Champions Series. Martin was followed at No. 2 by Courier, No. 1 on the 2006 Stanford Champions Points rankings, and 14-time Grand Slam tournament champion Pete Sampras at No. 3.
The 2007 Outback Champions Series kicked off March 7-11 in Naples, Fla.., at The Oliver Group Champions Cup where Wayne Ferreira of South Africa defeated Aaron Krickstein in the final. Sampras returned to tournament tennis for the first time since the 2002 US Open at the Champions Cup - Boston and won the title, defeating Martin in the final.Sampras also won the third event on the 2007 Outback Champions Series, the Champions Cup – Athens, in his first ever visit to Greece, the homeland of his father Sam and mother Georgia. Martin won the Gibson Guitar Champions Cup in August in Newport, R.I., defeating John McEnroe in the final. Sampras won The Championships at The Palisades – in September in Charlotte, N.C., defeating Martin in the final. Ferreira won his second title of 2007 at The Stanford Championships in Dallas, defeating Courier in the final. Newcomer Paul Haarhuis won the final event of the Series in Dubai in November, defeating Courier in the final.
The 2008 Outback Champions Series will kick off March 12-16 with The Oliver Group Champions Cup in Naples, Fla.
About The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Stretching ocean to ocean from the acclaimed Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman have set a lavish new standard of living on the Caribbean’s most prosperous, cosmopolitan and safe islands. Comprised of an original offering of 69 elegant oceanfront homes and 7 South, an exclusive 20,000 square-foot penthouse, all anchored by the hotel itself, as well as the newest phases, The DeckHouses and Secret Harbour, The Residences are distinguished by an unparalleled lifestyle experience enhanced with the unique Endless Service program, which includes a fleet of luxury automobiles and intrepid 36-foot motor yachts available for use when in residence. Owners also have access to the legendary service and amenities of the $500 million Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman resort, including Silver Rain, the first La Prairie Spa in the Caribbean; five dining venues including Blue by Eric Ripert of top-ranking New York restaurant Le Bernardin; a tennis center by Nick Bollettieri; the Ambassadors of the Environment by Jean-Michel Cousteau children’s program; and Blue Tip, a Greg Norman-designed golf course. For more information, visit www.residences-cayman.com
About The Outback Champions Series
Founded in 2005, the 2007 Outback Champions Series featured seven events where champion tennis players continue to exercise their competitive instincts in tournament formats that feature prize money and Champions Series ranking points that determine a year-end No. 1 player. To be eligible to compete on the Outback Champions Series, players must have either; reached a Grand Slam singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team. Each event also has the right to choose a “wild card” entrant.
About InsideOut Sports & Entertainment
InsideOut Sports & Entertainment is a New York City-based independent producer of proprietary events and promotions founded in 2004 by former world No. 1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. In 2005, InsideOut launched its signature property, the Outback Champions Series, a collection of tennis events featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. In addition, InsideOut produces many other successful events including one-night “Legendary Night” exhibitions as well as charity events and tennis fantasy camps, including the annual Ultimate Fantasy Camp.
For more information, please log on to www.InsideOutSE.com or www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com
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