Djokovic to Face Murray and Bryans to Face McEnroes at MSG
The 7th Annual BNP Paribas Showdown set for Monday, March 3, 2014 will provide an unbelievable night of tennis when some of the biggest names in the game take to the court at Madison Square Garden. The event will feature tennis’ number one rivalry, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, as well as, for the first time in its history, a unique brothers doubles match with John and Patrick McEnroe teaming up to take on Mike and Bob Bryan, arguably the best doubles team of all-time. The doubles match, which begins at 7:00 p.m., will be an eight-game pro set followed by a best-of-three sets for the singles match. The BNP Paribas Showdown is produced by MSG Sports and StarGames.
The 7th Annual BNP Paribas Showdown, which consistently attracts the biggest names in tennis, will follow the likes of Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Ivan Lendl, Juan Martin del Potro, Serena and Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic who all took part in previous Showdowns providing unforgettable memories for New York tennis fans.
“I am looking forward to coming to Madison Square Garden,” said Djokovic. “I have heard nothing but great things about this event and it should be a big night for tennis in New York, one of my favorite places to play.”
“I’m excited about coming to the Garden next year," said Murray. "Ivan [Lendl] has told me plenty of stories about matches and other events that have taken place there. There is so much history attached to the venue and it should be a great night for both Novak and me."
Once again, the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden will headline a full day of nationwide activities as part of “Tennis Night in America” and “World Tennis Day,” a global tennis participation effort. Both events promote tailoring the game to players 10-and-under with smaller racquets, lighter balls and modified scoring.
Djokovic, one of the most decorated players in the sport, is the current world number one player. The Serbian-born Djokovic won his sixth Grand Slam title this year at the 2013 Australian Open after defeating Murray in four sets. With the win, he joined the likes of Andre Agassi and Roger Federer as 4-time Australian Open winners. In 2011 Djokovic captured both the Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles as well. On June 1, he became the 40th man to win 500 matches in ATP World Tour history.
Murray rose to his current number two ranking in the world after teaming up with tennis legend, Ivan Lendl. He won his first Grand Slam title at the 2012 U.S. Open, defeating Djokovic in a marathon five-set match. Murray also made it as far as the finals in the 2013 Australian Open, defeating Roger Federer in the semifinals and eventually falling to Djokovic in the finals. On July 7, 2013 Murray became the first Brit to win the Wimbledon title since Fred Perry in 1936, where he defeated Djokovic in three sets to claim the crown.
Perhaps the best doubles team of all-time, Bob and Mike Bryan “The Bryan Brothers” are the current world number one doubles team. The duo notched their 15th Grand Slam title after winning the 2013 Wimbledon finals, simultaneously becoming the first team in tennis history to have all four majors plus an Olympic Gold Medal all at the same time. The American pair recently broke John Newcombe and Tony Roche’s record of 12 Grand Slams after winning their sixth Australian Open in January.
John McEnroe has been dubbed one of the best doubles players of all time. The U.S. native holds 17 major titles: nine in doubles, seven in singles, and one in mixed. He formed a powerful team with doubles partner Peter Fleming, with whom he won seven out of his nine major titles. McEnroe finished his career with an 875-198 overall record, and 77 titles. He reached the world number one rank on March 3, 1980.
His younger brother, Patrick McEnroe, reached a career-high ranking of 28 on Sept. 11, 1995. He finished his career with a 140-163 singles record, and recorded a Grand Slam championship win along the way. In 1989, the younger McEnroe paired with Jim Grabb to capture the French Open title.
