Seven-time grand slam champion and Tennis Hall of Famer John McEnroe and the world’s number one tennis player Novak Djokovic have agreed to play in the first annual Necker Cup on Dec. 9-13.
Eight current and former tennis professionals will pair up with eight amateur teams of all levels during the event. A handicapped scoring format will be used to make it competitive. Teams consist of one professional and up to two amateurs. Teams will compete to win their bracket and earn a chance to play in the Necker Cup final.
The event will be held on Sir Richard Branson’s private island, Necker.
According to Necker Cup organisers at Premier Tennis Travel, veteran and former world number two tennis player Tommy Haas and 2012 Comeback Player of the Year has also signed on to play in the exclusive pro-am event. Mr. Haas is a former Australian Open and Wimbledon semi-finalist. Mr. Haas has won 14 career ATP singles and doubles titles, as well as a silver medal in the 2000 Olympic Games.
Other tennis professionals to compete include Olympians and number one doubles Bob and Mike Bryan.
Mr. McEnroe, 53, is currently leading the standings of the PowerShares Champions Tour with wins over Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl, Jim Courier and Michael Chang.
Participants can also register to play in the Rosewood Little Dix Bay Legends Tennis Camp, which will take place at the Virgin Gorda Rosewood resort. The event will be hosted by Grand Slam doubles winners Luke and Murphy Jensen, along with tennis coach, author and father to the current world number one doubles team, Wayne Bryan.
Each evening will end with a cocktail and dinner experience concluding with an ‘End of the World’ awards dinner/party and auction on Dec. 12 at Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort where the Legends Tennis Camp participants will have a chance to meet Sir Richard and past and current tennis professionals.
An auction for charity will be held and includes: a hitting session with Andre Agassi; tickets to the finals of the Australian Open, including a VIP tour and a chance to meet Roy Emerson; presidential box seats at The French Open along with a hitting session with Cedric Pioline; tickets to the final rounds of The Masters Golf Tournament; lunch with film director Oliver Stone; an African safari and several other items.
Anyone can bid in the auction by visiting ibidmobile.net/vu. All donations from the auction will directly benefit the local VI community, Virgin Unite, the National Tennis Foundation, Novak Djokovic Foundation and other ATP and WTA player charities.
Necker Cup participants will also get an opportunity to meet business leaders at the Virgin Unite Leadership Retreat with Sir Richard. He will be joined by former Costa Rica President Jose Maria Figueres and Sylvia Alice Earle, who was named by Time magazine as Hero for the Planet. The oceanographer, explorer, author and lecturer is also an explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society. Sir Richard and his guests will discuss the role of “Mother Nature and how business can play a role in protecting and valuing our planet.”
Participants can book a space in the Necker Cup Pro-Am by calling (001) 800-376-0975 or visiting www.neckercup.com.
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