THREE FORMER CHAMPIONS HEADLINE FIELD FOR 2009 CAMPBELL’S HALL OF FAME TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS PLAYED FOR THE VAN ALEN CUP

# 3 Ranked American, Mardy Fish, Leads the Field

NEWPORT, RI – Three former champions, including two-time defending champion Fabrice Santoro (2007,2008), headline the field for the 2009 Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships scheduled for July 6-12 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Santoro, who has never lost a match in Newport, will be joined by fellow former champions Robby Ginepri (2003) and Taylor Dent (2002).

The Newport Tournament, an ATP World Tour event, remains the only professional tournament played on grass in North America. The Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships features 32 of the top men in professional tennis competing for the Van Alen Cup and $500,000 in prize money.

Sixteen players of the first 27 singles players entered into the 2009 Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships have been accepted in the Wimbledon main draw that begins Monday, June 22. Top Ranked ATP World Tour Pros entered into the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships include:

Mardy Fish, the third highest-ranked American, will be seeded at Wimbledon. Earlier this year, Fish won his third career ATP World Tour title in Delray Beach.  Fish will be making his eighth appearance in Newport, where he reached the quarterfinals three times. He also captured the 2008 Newport doubles title with partner John Isner.

Fabrice Santoro is the two-time defending champion of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships and has never lost a single match in Newport. Last year’s victory in Newport gave Santoro his sixth career ATP World Tour title. Santoro is currently the oldest player (36 years and 6 months) ranked in the Top 100. Santoro has said 2009 will be his final year on tour.

Sam Querrey is making his second appearance at the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. The fourth highest-ranked American turned pro in 2006, and last year won his first ATP title in Las Vegas. Querrey also reached the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo, and the semifinals at both Indianapolis and Delray Beach in 2008. Opening the 2009 season as a finalist in Auckland, he has also reached the quarterfinals in San Jose and Memphis.

Arnaud Clement of France is making his debut at the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. Clement holds four career singles titles and twelve doubles titles. He reached the doubles final of the 2008 Australian Open with partner and fellow Newport draw member Michael Llodra.

Taylor Dent is making his fifth appearance in Newport. Dent captured his first ATP World Tour title on the Hall of Fame’s legendary grass courts by defeating James Blake in the 2002 final. He now holds four career singles titles and has made great strides in returning to competition in 2009 from back surgery, playing in eight ATP World Tour events this year. One of his best results was qualifying for the Miami tournament and reaching the round of 16 before bowing to Roger Federer.

Robby Ginepri is making his fourth appearance on the grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Ginepri won his first singles title here in Newport in 2003. Last year, he reached the semifinals at Las Vegas, San Jose, and Delray Beach.

Prakash Amritraj is making his fourth appearance in Newport receiving a Wild Card. He followed up a 2007 quarterfinals appearance on the legendary grass courts by reaching the finals in 2008 against Fabrice Santoro. On the 2009 Challenger circuit, Prakash has reached the semifinals at both Rhodes and Dallas. Prakash, whose father Vijay Amritraj is a three-time Newport champion, is the second highest ranked player in India.

American Vincent Spadea is making his eighth appearance on the legendary grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Last year, Vince reached the Newport semifinals, losing to defending champion Fabrice Santoro of France. In 2005, Vince had his best showing in Newport, reaching the final, where he lost to Greg Rusedski of Great Britain.

Benjamin Becker of Germany is making his second appearance in Newport. Becker has been dominating the 2009 Challenger circuit winning four tournaments in Cremona, Rhodes, Baton Rouge, and Heilbronn and finishing as a finalist at Ramat Hasharon. The 2004 NCAA Singles Division I Champion while playing for Baylor, Becker qualified at the 2006 US Open and defeated Andre Agassi in the third round in what was Agassi’s last professional match.

Below is the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships full initial acceptance list and two wild cards for the 2009 Van Alen Cup with their ATP World Tour Rankings from the week of June 15, 2009.

In addition to these 27 players, four will gain entrance to the singles field during a qualifying tournament that will begin on July 4 on the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s legendary grass courts. One wild card is still left to award to a player in the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. The singles draw will be made on Saturday, July 4 at 4:30 PM on the Horseshoe Piazza at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

In conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, the International Tennis Hall of Fame will hold its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, July 11 (12:30pm). The Class of 2009 is represented by Recent Player Monica Seles; Master Player Andres Gimeno; and Contributors Donald L. Dell; and Dr. Robert “Whirlwind” Johnson (posthumously).

To purchase tickets for all tennis sessions and the 2009 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, go to www.tennisfame.com. For additional information call the Tournament Office at 866-914-FAME (3263).

The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of tennis and its champions. For more information regarding the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, 2009 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, Tennis Tournaments, Events and Programs, please call 401-849-3990 or visit our website at www.tennisfame.com.