Tennis Canada To Honor Pete Sampras, Billie Jean King and Derek Strang
King to also participate in panel discussion at first-ever Rogers Cup Women's Executive Event
Tennis Canada announced that Billie Jean King, Pete Sampras and Tennis Canada chief operating officer Derek Strang will be inducted into the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame during the 2013 Rogers Cup presented by National Bank in Toronto in recognition of their contribution to Canada's premier tournament.
King will be inducted in a Centre Court ceremony held during the Wednesday evening session on August 7. while Sampras will be inducted in a similar ceremony on Saturday, August 10 prior to playing his Rogers Legends Cup match against John McEnroe, a 2007 inductee. Strang's induction will take place in a private ceremony amongst friends and family.
....
A fan favourite, Sampras reached the final in Canada in 1995, semifinals in 1990, and two other quarter-finals. Second all-time in number of Slams won (14) and weeks spent as the world's No. 1-ranked player (286), Sampras' name will be in the history books for many years to come. Known as one of the sport's best-ever servers, Sampras won two Australian Opens, seven Wimbledon titles (including four consecutive), and five US Opens. He also ended a record six consecutive seasons as world No. 1 (1993-1998). Sampras exited the ranks of professional tennis at the top of his game, winning his very last match in the 2002 US Open final against Andre Agassi to capture Slam No. 14.
The success of Rogers Cup over the years has been in large part thanks to the efforts of Strang. Retiring this year as Tennis Canada's Chief Operating Officer after three decades with the organization, Strang's footprint is all over the event. He was one of the most significant figures in the opening of Rexall Centre, Toronto's world-class stadium that opened in 2004, as he led its development, design, and construction. He also played a considerable role in the re-build of Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. In addition, recognizing the need for more indoor facilities across the country in order to grow tennis nationally, he also championed the National Facility Advocacy Committee, which has helped to bring numerous projects to fruition.
The previously announced Montreal Rogers Cup Hall of Fame inductees are former Canadian players Stephane Bonneau, Simon Larose, Sebastien LeBlanc and Frederic Niemeyer.
Rogers Cup presented by National Bank will take place August 3-11, 2013 at Rexall Centre on the York University campus in Toronto and from August 2-11, 2013 at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal.
Pete played in the Legends Cup Friday and Saturday nights. He lost to James Blake and John McEnroe respectively. We were at the latter match when he lost 8-10 in the tie-break after one set all. It was a real treat be able to watch him play again, and to witness that beautiful service motion, that we are all so used to seeing, was just great! Nonetheless, it felt like he made a lot more return winners than aces!
Even though we had the best seats in the house (for the night), they were apparently not good enough to get us into a special event to meet Pete. So we were standing outside but Pete was still very close and we were able to see and hear everything. He gave a short interview and had photos taken with those fortunate big spenders. On his way out, he spotted Joy and went up to her, took her hands and hugged her! Joy will fill you in with her side of the story, no doubt!
Pete was also inducted to the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame during a short ceremony before the match. I took lots of photos and will post them for you in the next week or so.
During the match people shouted out and asked Pete, 'what's with the socks?'. He said they were compression socks to protect his calves, 'as he no longer plays'. McEnroe was making fun of them during the match and Pete said he had enough, and took them off, gave them to McEnroe to wear! After losing a few points with these on, he took them off!