The event will be hosted by Venus Williams and the competitive slate is enough to make even a casual tennis fan drool.
The first match in the three-match format will pit 1985, 1986, and 1987 U.S. Open Champion Ivan Lendl (who hasn’t played in an exhibition in sixteen years) against Mats Wilander, his former nemesis and the 1988 U.S. Open Champion.
The second match will see Andy Roddick, currently the top-ranked U.S. male tennis player, match skills with 2000 U.S. Open Champion Marat Safin.
The third battle hasn’t been announced yet, but I’m hearing it will feature a former tennis great and another huge name.
This is far from the first time Boardwalk Hall has been made into a tennis court. Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport, Martina Navratilova, and Bobby Riggs have all played there.
Tickets for the event go on sale Monday, February 8, at caesarstennisclassic.com. Cost is $25 to $175.
The event is another example of how Harrah’s (which owns Caesars) is trying to add non-gaming events to draw visitors to Atlantic City. Yes, Atlantic City has shopping, restaurants, and plenty of concerts that appease the baby boomer set, but this hasn’t been enough to keep the city out of its steep slide. Gaming revenues continue to fall, and something has to step into that money hole to keep Atlantic City afloat. A major tennis event is a good start.