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Never Played on Grass? You Can in Newport. Two Summer Tournaments Make This a Perfect Tennis Destination.

Does Wimbledon have you hankering to check out your own tennis game on grass? Here's a vacation idea:

Every summer the International Tennis Hall of Fame offers two top-level tournaments in an immaculate old-world setting. Combine that with a visit to the tennis museum and some personal court time (or a lesson) and you've got a little slice of tennis heaven. Here's the info you need to book a court.

For tournaments: In July there's the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships that runs July 6-12, 2009. Tickets are still available. Mardy Fish, 2-time defending champ Fabrice Santoro, Robby Ginepri and Taylor Dent are scheduled to play. Rod Laver will attend the induction ceremony on the final weekend.

If you can't make that one, look to the International Hall of Fame Champions Cup, running August 20-23, 2009. Another great tournament and a chance to see some of your past favorites in action.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame was recently named by USA Today as a top 10 place "to indulge your love of tennis." Watch a match or two, play yourself, then stroll down to the waterfront docks, restaurants and bars or past the mansions. A perfect summer day.

Get tickets or learn more at: The International Tennis Hall of Fame. or Champions Series Tennis.

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.

2009 Outback Champions Series Schedule Announced. Eight Tournaments Including New Events in Brazil and Mexico.

The 2009 Outback Champions Series offers up a series of global tennis events featuring some of the biggest names in the game now over age 30: Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Stefan Edberg and more. To be eligible to compete, players must have reached a major singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world in singles or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team. Yes hot-shot, they can still take you down 0 and 0.

In addition to single elimination singles, each six-player event will also feature special doubles exhibition matches which are really a treat to see as doubles gets a bit neglected when it comes to pro tennis television coverage. The 2009 Outback Champions Series schedule is as follows:

Champions Cup Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, Feb. 13-15; Rio Champions Cup, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 12-15; The Del Mar Development Champions Cup, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, March 18-22; The Residences at The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships, Grand Cayman, April 23-26; International Tennis Hall of Fame Champions Cup, Newport, Rhode Island, August 19-23; The Citadel Group Championships at The Palisades, Charlotte, North Carolina, September 25-27; Cancer Treatment Centers of America Championships at Surprise, Surprise, Arizona, November 6-8; Emirates NBD, The Legends Rock Dubai, Dubai, U.A.E., Nov. 19-21. Learn more at Champions Series Tennis. Watch for Tennis Channel coverage of some of these events as well.

Venus, Jelena, Ana and Serena Hit the BNP Paribas Showdown in Madison Square Garden, March 2, 2009

Tickets are now on sale for the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup to be held in the legendary Madison Square Garden (NYC), March 2, 2009. The format is a one set singles semifinal followed by a best of three sets final. Venus, Jelena, Ana and Serena will be there with all the swish NYC folk. Will you?

Get event seats at TicketMaster. A USTA membership and code: USTA2009 will get you a discount today through November 17.

Mats Wilander and John McEnroe Team Up. Fun Tennis for a Serious Reason. Join the Fight.

Mats Wilander and John McEnroe, tennis legends with 14 Grand Slam Singles titles between them, are teaming up to do some real good. Both will play an exhibition match as well as golf and tennis with event participants at the Mats Wilander Celebrity Tennis and Golf Classic, Monday October 20 at the Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York.

This is a chance to see and do with former world number ones who have joined up in an effort to raise money to fund research for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB*) a genetic condition that Mats' son Erik (pictured here with Mats) battles.

If you live in the area, do some good with your passion for the game and go. It's a full day: breakfast, great tennis, golf, dinner and more. Other sport celebs participating include Ralph Branca, Joe Pignato and Isiah Thomas.

Learn more and order tickets at: DebRA, the organization dedicated to finding a cure for EB. You can also call: 212-868-1573.

*EB is a disabling genetic condition where the skin breaks at the slightest touch, causing wounds and pain. At present there is no treatment, only efforts to prevent trauma and infection.

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.

The Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington D.C./Will Roddick Work His Magic Once Again?

Although the Olympics are turning heads to the other side of the world, the U.S. Open Series continues here in the good ole U.S. of A. The Legg Mason Tennis Classic starts today and runs through August 17. Television coverage is limited to the final three days of the tournament as noted by the USTA here. We're hoping Mr. Roddick is successful at defending his title.

For ticket information, go to Legg Mason Tennis Classic or call 202/721-9500. As they say in the tournament's tag line, "Powerful City, Powerful Tennis."

US Open 2008, August 25 - September 9; Tickets on Sale Now

We can feel the excitement already! Individual tickets are on sale NOW. Make sure you plan to spend at least a couple of days to take in all this tournament has to offer. The early days are honestly as much fun as the later ones as there is so much GREAT tennis going on on all of the courts surrounding Arthur Ashe Stadium. Call 1-866-OPEN-TIX or go to US Open to buy your day or night session seats. Prices range from $22 to $100 USD. Do yourself a favor and pledge to use public transportation; it is a breeze to figure out. Use this link getting to the US Open. for travel info.

For info on special rates and accommodations you can go to Visiting the US Open.

Hall of Fame Champions Cup August 13-17 in Newport, Rhode Island

  Here's another summer 2008 tournament in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island. If you can't make it in July check out this event, August 13-17 featuring eight tennis greats. Hall of Famers and former world number one champions John McEnroe, Jim Courier and Mats Wilander have already committed to playing. This is tournament four of eight in the 2008 Outback Champions Series. To be eligible to compete in the series players must have either: reached a Grand Slam single final; been ranked in the top five in the world; or played singles on a championships Davis Cup team.

Tickets go on sale today and are available through www.tennisfame.com or by calling 866-914-FAME. Accommodations in this historical town can be found through the Newport Chamber of Commerce.

Destination New Haven -- Pilot Pen Tickets on Sale

The last stop before the "Greatest Road Trip in Sports" hits the Big Apple is New Haven, Connecticut.  The Pilot Pen is a New England favorite for tennis fans, a fun, easy-going tournament with big name talent. Advance ticket packages for the event that runs August 15-23, 2008 are now on sale. USTA members can purchase single and box seat tickets. June 1 individual seats open up to everyone. Go to pilotpentennis.com for more information. You can also email mfraenza@pilotpentennis.com with any ticket questions. How's that for service? Find area accomodations at www.newhavenhotels.com.