Legends tennis returns to the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman this month, but with a special twist. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is keynote speaker at the opening dinner.
Headlining KPMG Legends Tennis this year are Martina Hingis and Jennifer Capriati.
They will be joined by other players including Mark Philippoussis, Wayne Ferreira, Jimmy Arias and Chanda Rubin.
The opening dinner on Wednesday, 16 November, is at Blue by Eric Ripert at the Ritz-Carlton. Tickets are offered as part of the tournament’s Pro-Am package.
The first round matches will follow on Thursday, 17 November, with the semi-finals on Friday, 18 November. The finals on Saturday, 19 November, will be followed by the Whites Party.
Hingis is one of the all time legends of tennis, having won the Australian Open for three years from 1997 to 1999, and also winning Wimbledon and the US Open in 1997. The only Grand Slam singles title that eluded her was the French Open. Unlike many other top singles players, Hingis also has an impressive list of doubles titles to her name, having won the Australian Open doubles title from 1997 to 1999 and again in 2002, the French Open doubles title in 1998 and 2000, the Wimbledon doubles title in 1996 and 1998 and US Open doubles title in 1998.
Capriati is also a former world No. 1, with career titles including the Australian Open singles in 2001 and 2002, the French Open in 2001 as well as gold in the 1992 Olympic Games.
This year’s tournament features a mixed doubles competition as well as a men’s singles competition. Tickets to the first round of matches start at $5.
Another new feature this year is the participation of local players. Each evening will see a junior singles match opening the play.
The title sponsor of the event is KPMG, with presenting sponsor The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and main sponsor the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and Tennis Federation. Gold sponsors for the event include Cayman Financial Review, Taittinger Champagne, Maples, The Security Centre, Balaclava Jewellers, Butterfield and Cayman Airways. WH
For more information, visit compasscayman.com/tennis