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Andre Agassi to Join Advanta WTT Pro League. 2009 Summer Schedule Chock Full of Star-Power.

 Andre Agassi will return to professional tennis competition this summer, playing two matches for the Philadelphia Freedoms of the Advanta World Team Tennis Pro League, July 10 in Philly and 17 in Newport Beach, California.

The league's plans include 73 matches in 10 markets, July 2-26. The Eastern and Western Conference Champions will battle for the Advanta WTT Championship title on July 26.

Agassi joins other marquee players: Serena Williams/Washington Kastles (July 9, 10, 13, 14); Venus Williams/Philadelphia Freedoms (July 7, 8, 9); Martina Navratilova/Boston Lobsters (July 14, 15, 16, 21); John McEnroe/New York Sportimes (July 13, 15, 16, 21); Anna Kournikova/St. Louis Aces (July 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13); Michael Chang/Sacramento Capitals (July 10); and Bob and Mike Bryan/Kansas City Explorers (July 17, 18, 19, 21).

Learn more about the Advanta WTT Pro League, players, venues, dates and tickets at WTT.

Image: Fred and Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA.

No Old Dogs Here. These Guys Still Play Big.

Looking for some great tennis in your own back yard? Check out the Outback Champions Series, played around the US (and the world) by tennis legends who've passed the ripe age of 30 (hey, that's not old). Eight champions play in each event. Money is on the line so these are not just exhibitions. The tennis is great and seating is intimate. Each player has either held a top 5 singles ranking, been a Grand Slam singles finalist or a singles player on a Championship Davis Cup team during their ATP Tour playing careers. John McEnroe and Pete Sampras (pictured above) played in Boston this past summer.

Upcoming 2008 events: The Citadel Group Championships at the Palisades,September 24-28, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina; Stanford Championships, October 22-26 in Dallas, Texas; Cancer Treatment Centers of America Championships at Surprise, November 5-9 in Surprise, Arizona; and the Legends of Rock Dubai, November 19-22 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

2009 events include the Rio Champions Cup March 12-15  2009 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and The Del Mar Development Champions Cup, March 18-22 in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Find tickets and player line-ups on the Champions Series Tennis website.

Indianapolis Tennis Championships, July 12-20, 2008

The Indianapolis Tennis Championships presented by Lilly is a world-class ATP Tour tennis event held annually in Indianapolis; it is the first in the 2008 Olympus US Open Series of tournaments. The event, which traces its roots back to 1920 has hosted such tennis notables as Pete Sampras, Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick. 

The 2008 event will be held July 12-20 at the Indianapolis Tennis Center on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Daily tickets are now on sale. To buy call 1-800-622-LOVE or go to ticketmaster. For more information go to tennisindy.

Western and Southern Financial Group Masters and Women's Open, July 25-August 3 (men's) and August 9-17 (women's)

This summer join some of the game's best just outside Cincinnati, Ohio. This down-to-earth but big event is celebrating its 110th year; L. Jon Wertheim of Tennis Magazine wrote (8/06) "Venture to this unlikely tournament in the guts of Middle America and you'll find an unsurpassed tour spot." It's popular with players and attendees alike. The cash draws the flash; the prize money is big enough to pull the likes of Nadal, Roddick, Jankovic, Williams and Federer, all have played here in the past.

The men's event, the Masters (July 25- August 3), is one of nine elite ATP Masters Series Tournaments on the ATP circuit. The Women's Open (August 9-17) is a Tier III event on the WTA tour and the only WTA tour event held in the midwest.

Go to cincytennis.com to learn more, buy tickets or find accommodations.