Tennis legend Virginia Wade has just confirmed she will be attending in the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament 2012 this summer.
Wade, who is famous as the last British tennis player to win a Grand Slam title after winning Wimbledon in 1977, returns as the ambassador for the event at Liverpool’s Calderstones Park for a second consecutive year as part of the Legends line up.
Her appearance at the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament this year coincides not only with a fantastic summer for British sport due to Olympics, but also has strong links to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Her Wimbledon victory was a sporting highlight and source of pride for the country during the Queen’s memorable Silver Jubilee summer.
She says: “I am really looking forward to coming back to Liverpool. Last year’s tournament was a great event – both on and off court. It is always wonderful to visit Liverpool, such a beautiful and exciting city.”
Tournament Director, Anders Borg said: “Virginia Wade is one of the great iconic figures of British tennis, and I’m delighted to be welcoming her to Liverpool this summer, during this important year British sport.”
Wade will be joining a star line up of tennis greats already confirmed for the tournament such as Greg Rusedski, Mansour Bahrami and Richard Krajicek. Nick Bollettieri, the world famous coach who led Andre Agassi, Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters to greatness, will also appear to play and coach local youngsters during the tournament week.
The tournament will also feature stars from the ATP circuit hoping to warm up for Wimbledon and the extended grass court season, including South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, who will be playing Liverpool for the first time this year.
Anders Borg explains, “One of the main attractions of Liverpool to ATP stars is the chance to play on grass. We guarantee all players at least 3 competitive matches each, so it’s a great chance for them to find their feet on the surface and warm up before heading to Wimbledon.”
“We’re really shaping up for an amazing line up at this summer’s tournament, and still have lots more ATP and WTA players due to be announced later this month.
