Super-skilled Iranian Mansour Bahrami will wow the crowds at Liverpool Cricket Club in June when he enters the 2015 Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament.
Nicknamed the Court Jester – whose tricks include holding six tennis balls in his hand while playing a set – and his Bahrami Army of supporters will descend on Aigburth from June 18-21 to see if his blend of world class tennis, off-the-cuff trickery and comedic mind games can see him etch his name onto the tournament trophy.
Challenging him will be eight-time combined grand slam winners Peter McNamara of Australia and Anders Jarryd of Sweden.
More star names will be announced as they are confirmed, along with an exciting array of rising talent from the ATP and WTF tours. Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki lifted the Liverpool title twice before conquering the women’s ranks and last year 15-year-old Brit Jodie Burrage shocked reigning Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli to take the Liverpool title alongside men’s winner Greg Rusedski.
Bahrami, who is enjoying a career renaissance thanks to his trick shots and antics after a career impeded by the revolution in Iran during the 1970s, said he is delighted to join the Liverpool tournament.
“Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament is one of the best competitions in the UK,” he said. “It combines everything that tennis has to offer, pitting up and coming WTA and ATP players against true legends of the game.
“I am honoured to be a part of this year’s tournament and I will bring my full bag of tricks to the city to try and lift the title.”
Tournament Director Anders Borg said: “Mansour Bahrami is probably next to John McEnroe as one of the most popular legends on the circuit.
“He is one of the main reasons spectators enjoys legends tennis. He travels the world and plays in every Grand Slam, thrilling the crowds with his circus approach to tennis in front of packed stands.
“He plays the way we all wish we could and fans this year are going to get a real treat seeing him up close at Liverpool Cricket Club.”
For more information on the event, ticket prices and sponsorship opportunities, please visit: www.liverpooltennis.co.uk or call 0151 227 5940