MERCEDES-BENZ CLASSIC

MERCEDES-BENZ CLASSIC - ATLANTA - MAY 6, 2006 - TENNIS EXHIBITION
IN THE ARENA AT THE GWINNETT CENTER



Four of tennis’ most celebrated stars brought the Arena at Gwinnett Center to life with a thrilling display of tennis at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Atlanta. John McEnroe, Anna Kournikova, Jana Novotna and Jim Courier took center stage, coming together for a night of fierce competition, excitement, and entertainment.

The evening commenced with a lively crowd of over 4,500 cheering on the former #1 John McEnroe as he took on fellow hall of famer Jim Courier. John’s quick feet and piercing volleys were only exceeded by his infamous on court antics, at one point going so far as to expose his backside to Jim Courier and the Atlanta audience for agreeing with a controversial line call. After John had resumed wearing appropriate attire, he ventured to put on a superb display of tennis, converting Courier’s punishing groundstrokes into his own winners, emerging victorious in a third set Champions tie-breaker, 4-6, 6-3, 10-6.

Courier and McEnroe were then joined by two time Grand Slam Doubles champion Anna Kournikova and Wimbledon Champion Jana Novotna for a doubles match that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. All four players were mic’d up for an intense pro-set of doubles, with Kournikova partnering with McEnroe against Courier and Novotna. The crowd thrived on the competitive yet playful banter between the teams, and they were wide-eyed when a young lad who retrieved a ball from the stands was rewarded by a kiss from the Russian beauty Kournikova. McEnroe and Kournikova played flawless doubles, and ended the night by taking the pro-set 8-4.

Another winning point for the night was the fact that the Mercedes-Benz Classic supported the wonderful program ‘Volleyfest’, an organization involved in Breast Cancer care and prevention. All in all, it was another legendary night to be remembered for the fans, the players, and Atlanta tennis.