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SAN DIEGO, CA, May 11,2006 – The 2006 Acura Classic today announced that four of its former champions have entered this year’s tournament, to be held July 29 - August 6 at the La Costa Resort & Spa. In addition to defending champion Mary Pierce, returning tournament winners this year will include Lindsay Davenport, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Venus Williams. Between them, the four tennis superstars have won a total of 14 Grand Slam singles titles.
Noted Promotion Sports’ Raquel Giscafré: “These women are all known for their intense on-court determination and unique personal styles. We’re really proud that some of the shining moments of their distinguished careers have taken place here with us in San Diego. The depth of talent on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour will be underscored by the level of play at this year’s tournament and the fans are once again in for a week of very exciting tennis.”
Mary Pierce, currently ranked #5 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, will be making her 10th appearance on the courts at La Costa. In addition to winning last year’s event, she was the runner-up to Lindsay Davenport in 1998, after defeating Venus Williams, Martina Hingis and Conchita Martinez on her way to the finals. Mary’s San Diego win-loss record is 20-8.
A San Diego fan favorite, Lindsay Davenport, who has spent 98 weeks as the world’s #1 ranked player, has also competed at La Costa nine times. She is a two-time champion here, winning in 1998 and 2004. She is also a two-time Acura Classic doubles champion (’98 with Natasha Zvereva, ’99 with Corina Morariu). Her San Diego singles record is 24-6.
Venus Williams is the only player in the last 23 years to have won the Acura Classic three years in a row (’00, ’01, ’02). Currently ranked #12 on the Tour, she will be returning to San Diego after a three-year hiatus to make her eighth appearance. Venus is a former world #1, and currently the defending Wimbledon champion. Her San Diego singles record is 28-4.
This year Justine Henin-Hardenne returns for her second appearance at La Costa. A former #1-ranked player (45 weeks) and the current French Open defending champion, Justine won the Acura Classic in her 2003 debut, defeating Kim Clijsters in the tournament’s first-ever all-Belgian final. She remains undefeated in San Diego (5-0).
Davenport, Pierce and Williams have all been honored with the Acura Classic Loyalty Award for their longstanding support of the tournament.
The 2006 Acura Classic announced recently that Russian tennis superstar Maria Sharapova has also entered this year’s tournament.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the Acura Classic, fans can call the Tournament Box Office at 760-438-5683, or visit www.acuraclassic.com. USTA members can preorder their tickets over the phone or via the internet on May 8th. Free parking for attendees will be available for opening weekend on Saturday and Sunday, July 29th and 30th.
Promotion Sports, Inc., which owns the Acura Classic and promotes a variety of professional tennis events, is a private corporation headquartered in Carlsbad, California. Founded in 1982 by Raquel Giscafré and Jane Stratton, former professional tennis players, the company is dedicated to promoting sports and women’s tennis worldwide.
The Acura Classic is sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
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