Statoil Masters Tennis 2012

Off-season, but does not sleep and the "old" masters are competing in Royal Albert Hall:

Henman, Ivanisevic, McEnroe, Cash, Bahramii, Wilander, Leconte etc, tennis as it was once played: lovely and fun both for players and the fans.

"The Royal Albert Hall, venue of so many famous events over the years,
and now a fixture on the Champions tour which is a favourite of players
and spectators alike.
Exhibition tennis can often seem limp and lifeless, but the criteria
for eligibility in these events is almost a guarantee that the matches
will be anything but limp and lifeless. To take part in the Champions
Tour field, a player must have either won a grand slam event, or have
been ranked number 1 in the world, or be a winning Davis Cup player. To
be entered in the Legends field, the criteria is the same, but you just
have to be over 45 years of age.
London was dusted with a powdery carpet of snow on the morning of the
first day of the Statoil Masters event, and it will culminate on
Saturday with the Winter Whites Gala, which will be one of the year’s
most star-studded events – THR The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will
present an award to Novak Djokovic for his charitable work, and tennis
legends such as Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Chris Evert
will be in attendance.
Thursday night is Ladies night at the Albert Hall, British number 1
Heather Watson will be playing in an exhibition mixed doubles event with
Tim Henman, against Mark Philippoussis and the gorgeous Anne
Keothavong.
“Relive the rivalries” is the tagline for the whole event, and with
matches between Ivanisevic and Henman, and McEnroe and Lendl, that
promise is sure to be fulfilled."

Here's a link to see today's matches (final day)

http://www.itv.com/itv4/

Today from 12.00 - 3.00 PM

Will write more of last night's matches later

I hope someone's watching, great fun, doubles exo!

Evening session 5 PM: Santoro - Henman, plus another doubles exo.

enjoy your time lady.

What can I say, it was just so sweet watching these matches and players enjoying theselves more than they did in their prime. Tennis at its best
However much I'd love to believe it, I can't see today's player having the same joy in this competition in 20 years' time (except maybe Nole & Tsonga, ok Safin, too).

Watching Santoro today pull off his shots out of his tennis genepool was so lovely, he made Tim look wooden and bland, despite Tim being older
And what to say about the clown to end all clowns: Leconte, oh, what a charmer and treasure!
It's for these type f players I'll be coming to Royal Albert Hall again.

Then there was McEnroe and Bahrami!!!!! What a pair...how much can somebody love tennis court and playing - look no further than the two of them...an absolute tonic and inspiration for any tennis fan.

All these players have created so much wonder on that court these few days, I'm sad it's all finished now. Like a dream is over.

For them and the beautiful twirl that never stops in their hearts and feet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iojvKVv8mNU

glad you enjoyed it .

what were the scores?

luvsports! wrote:glad you enjoyed it .

what were the scores?

Yesterday Henman beat Goran, today Santoro beat Henman in the final. You can watch all the matches on ITV IPlayer in the next 28 days, stg to do when all those relos start "relaxing" after Christmas lunch

did mcenroe not play wilander?

luvsports! wrote:did mcenroe not play wilander?

I didn't see that one, but Mac beat Wilander.

luvsports! wrote:did mcenroe not play wilander?

Here it is:

"John McEnroe successfully defended his Statoil Masters Tennis Legends title with an emphatic 6-1, 6-2 victory over old rival Mats Wilander in the final.
Birthday boy Fabrice Santoro, who turned 40 today, joined McEnroe in the winners' circle with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Tim Henman in the ATP Champions Tour event."


So obviously two categories of competition, the Legends and the Legends wannabes

Some nice words from Mac afte lifting his trophy yesterday:

"“I have six titles here now and this one is as sweet as any of them. Everyone sounds so surprised when they tell me how well I’m playing! I’m in good shape and I love being out here and winning. This place is like our Wimbledon.”

Santoro, who won the "other" trophy (looking just the same) as well as celebrating his 40th birthday said:

"I am delighted just to play in this fantastic arena, so to win is unbelievable, said Santoro. It is my birthday today and I cannot think of a better way to celebrate, especially with having my family here watching me."

The ATP Champions Tour now moves on to another South American event, with the Grand Champions Rio tournament starting on December 17.

So I suppose the season is not over JUST yet....these oldies know how to live, don't they....Rio in December, hey?

It's fun to see those guys having a second life and enjoying it. It's no different than us really...just a slightly better level....