By James Waterson Photo Credit: Flickr/C Thomas
(July 7, 2011) Bjorn Borg will rekindle one of the greatest rivalries in tennis on July 14 when he faces John McEnroe in a World Team Tennis match.
Borg is replacing Jimmy Connors, who had to pull out of his Philadelphia Freedom’s match against McEnroe’s New York Sportimes because of a knee injury.
It will be the first time Borg has played World Team Tennis since 1994, when he appeared for the Atlanta Thunder. He has played for the Los Angeles Strings in 1993 and the Cleveland Nets in 1977.
"We are elated that Bjorn answered John’s call to step in for Jimmy on what will be a fun and important night for tennis in New York," said Claude Okin, Sportimes CEO.
"The relationship that Bjorn and John have is very special. Theirs is truly one of the great rivalries in sports history, and seeing them both on court, in New York, next week will be a great treat for everyone there.”
Ticket sales for the event will benefit the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, which provides scholarships, coaching, transportation and other financial assistance to qualified young tennis players in the greater New York area.
The July 14 WTT matchup will feature Borg and McEnroe competing against each other in men’s singles in the five set WTT coed team format. Former World No. 1 Martina Hingis will also play for the New York Sportimes that evening as McEnroe’s fellow team member.
Despite the knee injury, Connors is still set to participate in two of the Champions series events this fall.