Tennis is coming back to Madison Square Garden. As announced on September 8th 2011, the world’s most famous arena will host a night of exciting tennis action. For the fifth year in a row Madison Square Garden will host the BNP Paribas Showdown on March 5th 2012. That night matches will feature Maria Sharpova, Caroline Wozinacki, Andy Roddick and Roger Federer. In the first match of the evening three-time Grand Slam Champion will face World’s No. 1 player Caroline Wozinacki. That will be followed by 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer going up against one of his biggest rivals Andy Roddick.
Federer and Roddick have played in some memorable tennis matches over the years. Most recently in the 2009 Wimbledon final where Federer beat Roddick 16-14 in the fifth set to win Wimbledon for the sixth time. Since winning his first Grand Slam in 2003, Federer has won 16 Grand Slams and 68 ATP Tour Titles. Federer had a streak of appearing in 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals. Over that time period, Federer reached 20 out of 23 Grand Slam Finals. He is one of the best tennis players ever to play the game. Roddick is a former World No. 1 player and he led the United States to the Davis Cup Title in 2007. He won his only Grand Slam at the 2003 US Open but could have perhaps won more if he did not run into Roger Federer in many finals. Right now he is the second ranked American tennis player behind Mardy Fish. Roddick is the last American to win a major.
Sharapova and Wozinacki had some legendary battles over the years. Sharapova holds a 3-2 head-to-head advantage over Wozniacki. The pair split their two meetings in 2011. Wozinacki is the 20th player in WTA history to hold the top ranking. She has held the top spot for 46 weeks. The 21-year-old from Denmark was awarded the 2008 Newcomer of the Year award having 18 career titles to her name. Sharapova has won three Grand Slam titles which include Wimbledon, US Open, and Australian Open. She won Wimbledon at 17 years old by defeating Serena Williams. Sharpaova has been ranked No. 1 in the World on four separate occasions.
March 5, 2012 has been dubbed “Tennis Night in America.” These matches will kick start the tennis season in the United States and it begins a month of professional tennis events that include the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California and Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, Florida.
Madison Square Garden has hosted tennis events in the past including the year-end championships for the men and women from 1977-1989 and 1979-2000. After an eight year hiatus the Garden featured Roger Federer and Pete Sampras in the NetJets Showdown. The following years Madison Square Garden hosted the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup in 2010 and 2011. Players featured were Venus and Serena Williams, and Kim Clijsters. Last year four legends took to the court as Ivan Ldendl and John McEnroe squared off. Following that match Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras rekindled their old rivalry.