Class of 2010 Introduced Live at BNP Paribas Showdown at MSG
The International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2010 was introduced on March 1st as part of Tennis Night in America in a ceremony held at the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup at Madison Square Garden.
In the Class of 2010, doubles stars dominate the Recent Player and Master Player categories, with the selections of Todd Woodbridge, Mark Woodforde, Gigi Fernandez, Natasha Zvereva and Owen Davidson. In the Contributor category, wheelchair tennis creator Brad Parks has been selected for induction, along with Derek Hardwick, who served as chairman of the British Lawn Tennis Association and was instrumental in the creation of Open tennis. Click here to view a brief video featuring highlights of the tennis careers of the Class of 2010.
Inductees Gigi Fernandez, Brad Parks and Owen Davidson were present for the ceremony, which drew cheers of admiration from the 12,000-plus fans who turned out for the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup. International Tennis Hall of Fame Chairman Christopher Clouser hosted the ceremony, which featured Hall of Famers John McEnroe, Bud Collins, Virginia Wade, Donald Dell, Ivan Lendl and Tony Trabert on hand to welcome the latest inductees who have been selected to recieve the highest honor available in the sport.
The ceremony was held on the Madison Square Garden arena court, prior to the finals of an exciting night of tennis action. Following the ceremony, an exciting night of tennis resumed when Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters battled it out for the Billie Jean King Cup, with Venus defeating Clijsters 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
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