Federer, Blake, Borg and McEnroe to play exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, then Macao

[Steve F.]

Haven't seen any posts on this. Just came across it in L'Equipe. Tuesday, November 18 is Kuala Lumpur and Thursday, November 20 is Macao. Money must be good. Though I like Blake, seems he's the Stepanek this week, subbing for Nadal who must've bailed when Spain qualified for Davis Cup. This has hit and giggle written all over it...


From L'Equipe for Francophones:
Roger Federer figurera aux côtés de Björn Borg, John McEnroe et James Blake lors de matches d'exhibition disputés mardi à Kuala Lumpur et jeudi à Macau. Il s'agit d'un engagement de longue date pour le n°2 mondial qui a a indiqué qu'il ne participerait plus à ce genre d'exercice à l'avenir, aussi lucratif soit-il, mais mal placé dans le calendrier.

Victime de problèmes au dos depuis le tournoi de Bercy et diminué par des douleurs gastriques au Masters de Shanghai, le Suisse de 27 ans avait confié être «content que la saison soit finie» au sortir de son ultime duel de poules à Shanghai. Après sa semaine de rab en Malaisie et en Chine, "Rodger", qui avait entamé l'année 2008 par une mononucléose, souhaite se reposer et se focaliser sur la saison à venir. Ses objectifs sont déjà fixés : récuperer la place de n°1 mondial et conquérir d'autres titres du Grand Chelem, lui qui n'est plus qu'à une couronne d'égaler le record de Pete Sampras (14 titres).

 

[Steve F.]

Doubles too

Google pulled up this press release. My favorite: "The final doubles set will pit Federer and Borg against McEnroe and the other star."

They share the Open Era record with five consecutive Wimbledon crowns and on November 20, Roger Federer and Bjorn Borg will share the same side of the court in an exhibition match of the BlackRock Tour Of Champions in Macao, China.

Borg and Federer will take on John McEnroe and either Rafael Nadal or James Blake in a doubles match at The Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown 2008, The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel and IMG announced today.

The result of the Davis Cup semifinal tie between Spain and the United States in September will determine whether it is Nadal or Blake who plays in the event. Whomever loses in the Davis Cup will play in Macao.

The event at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel will start with a one-set showdown between Borg and McEnroe, followed by a best-of-three-set clash between Federer and Nadal/Blake. It will climax with Federer and Borg against McEnroe and Nadal/Blake in a 10-point doubles tie break. The Macao Tennis Showdown will take place two days after Borg, McEnroe, Federer and either Blake or Nadal appear in the Kuala Lumpur Showdown Of Champions 2008.

Federer, who defeated 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras, 7-6(6), 7-6(5) in Kuala Lumpur in the second of their three-match exhibition series in Asia last November, has already signed on to return for the headline the "Showdown of Champions Kuala Lumpur 2008", at the 12,000 seat Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur in November. The 12-time Grand Slam champion's opponent in Kuala Lumpur will be determined based on the outcome of the September 19-21 Davis Cup semifinal: if the USA advances to its second straight Davis Cup final then Nadal will face Federer and if Spain, the semifinal favorite, defeats the defending champion then Blake will take on Federer.

The Showdown of Champions will culminate with all four participants sharing the court in a legendary doubles match: Borg and Federer, who share the modern Wimbledon record with five consecutive Wimbledon crowns apiece, will take on McEnroe and either Nadal or Blake in a one-set doubles match.

"The format of the event will see one set between Borg and McEnroe followed by one set between Federer and the fourth player," said Nick Freyer, Senior Vice-President, Head of Tennis–IMG Asia, at a Press Conference to officially launch the Showdown of Champions Kuala Lumpur at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. "The final doubles set will pit Federer and Borg against McEnroe and the other star."

 

[BreakPoint]

Why Blake though?

Why not get Sampras to replace Nadal?

This way we have 4 GOATs playing on the same court.

 

[FitzRoy]

Why Blake though?

Why not get Sampras to replace Nadal?

This way we have 4 GOATs playing on the same court.

Ah - now that would be something! I'd put down some money to watch Sampras/McEnroe/Borg/Federer. Blake does seem like a bit of a letdown in this context.

 

[TMCW140]

This will be immense-gotta feel sorry for blake though, kinda out of his depth

 

[sureshs]

What happened to Federer playing less and focusing on the Slams?

Oh I get it. He has completely recovered from mono, stiff back and stomach ailments.

Money money money.

 

[marc45]

Why Blake though?

Why not get Sampras to replace Nadal?

This way we have 4 GOATs playing on the same court.

pete was scheduled to play the "grand slam" event last week in asia before it fell apart

 

[SoulBlaze]

Roger actually had a meet the fans session at the Petronas Twin Towers this afternoon. I was practically at the doorstep when the guards suddenly said that no more people were gonna be allowed through. So close, but not to be i suppose. =(

Blake had a coaching clinic as well today i think.

 

[crazylevity]

This will be immense-gotta feel sorry for blake though, kinda out of his depth

Yeah, you can just imagine them all chatting about how many slams they won, and Blake will be standing in a corner weeping...

McEnroe: So how was it like on the 3rd Wimbledon win?
Federer: Nah, I felt the 2nd was more difficult.
Borg: They felt all the same, man.
Blake: *sob*...

 

[SoulBlaze]

Just got back from the match. It was pretty good overall. McEnroe was a real entertainer, with his outbursts and racket throwing. He didnt break any frames though.

 

[wyutani]

dun watch. boring match.

 

[leonidas1982]

hahha. that's funny. it was billed as entertainment; i'm not surprised not much quality tennis was played.

 

[gj011]

What happened to Federer playing less and focusing on the Slams?

Oh I get it. He has completely recovered from mono, stiff back and stomach ailments.

Money money money.

Yes I was going to ask the same thing.

His back healed already :shock:

Also Blake refusing TMC to play this.

 

[wyutani]

What happened to Federer playing less and focusing on the Slams?

Oh I get it. He has completely recovered from mono, stiff back and stomach ailments.

Money money money.

dude, you are soooo right...

 

[BreakPoint]

This event at Kuala Lumpur is on Tennis Channel RIGHT NOW!!!!

 

[BreakPoint]

What happened to Federer playing less and focusing on the Slams?

Oh I get it. He has completely recovered from mono, stiff back and stomach ailments.

Money money money.

Federer could beat Blake even if he was in a wheelchair.

He beat him at the Aus Open this year in straight sets even during the peak of his mono illness.

 

[gj011]

Federer could beat Blake even if he was in a wheelchair.

He beat him at the Aus Open this year in straight sets even during the peak of his mono illness.

But he lost in the Olympics when he was healthy.

I find it really hard to believe that Federer had back problems in TMC and than plays silly exo event couple of days later.

 

[ThugNasty]

But he lost in the Olympics when he was healthy.

I find it really hard to believe that Federer had back problems in TMC and than plays silly exo event couple of days later.

a one set friendly exhibition match is nothing serious.

 

[luckyboy1300]

But he lost in the Olympics when he was healthy.

I find it really hard to believe that Federer had back problems in TMC and than plays silly exo event couple of days later.

i believe it was stated in the news federer has still an ailing back during their exo match with blake.

 

[Greengrass]

Didn't think that Feds over-exerted himself during this exho anyway .. nowhere near the level of the match with Murray. What top level tennis players consider "back pain" would would probably floor a mere mortal like me

 

[helloworld]

They shouldn't have arranged Borg vs McEnroe. It's like watching two middle aged club players feeding the ball at each other... That's 30 minutes I'm not getting back...

 

[vbranis]

I find it really hard to believe that Federer had back problems in TMC and than plays silly exo event couple of days later.

I saw the match, and Fed was playing half-heartedly; he was barely moving to the ball. He grabbed his back numerous times. His serve was soft, and he took the whole set with Blake as a relaxed practice session. Just moving the ball around with little pace, hitting drop shots, etc. Blake did the same thing since he would've looked stupid if he gave 100% effort against an injured Fed in a meaningless exo.

That said, Fed should be resting right now instead of playing this dumb thing.:-?

 

[tenis]

What happened to Federer playing less and focusing on the Slams?

Oh I get it. He has completely recovered from mono, stiff back and stomach ailments.

Money money money.

Sad, but true.

 

[msc886]

Wasn't Federer injured, sick and stated he wasn't going to play exhibitions? I guess its kinda rude to decline invitations. Good on him as a person to accept.

 

[wyutani]

money, money, money...

 

[sureshs]

The results are available on Yahoo Sports, except the Borg-JMac match. You will not hear the results from me here.