The Greenbrier, the classic American destination resort in the foothills of West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains, announced today that it has appointed Tennis Hall of Famer Pete Sampras as its first-ever Greenbrier Tennis Pro Emeritus.
For the past two years, Pete Sampras has visited The Greenbrier in September to headline The Greenbrier Champions Tennis Classic-alongside fellow American Hall of Famer John McEnroe at the inaugural event in 2012, and again in 2013, when he teamed up with McEnroe to take on the European challengers of former world #1 Ivan Lendl and current tour player Tommy Haas.
With his appointment as The Greenbrier Tennis Pro Emeritus, Sampras-who spent 286 weeks of his professional tennis career ranked as the #1 player in the world, won 14 Grand Slams and 64 singles championships-continues the storied legacy of tennis at The Greenbrier, which dates back to the 1890s when tennis debuted on the lawn in front of the resort’s still-standing Paradise Row cottages. Since then, The Greenbrier has hosted numerous tennis matches and championships, including The Mason and Dixon Championships in the 1920s and 1930s, with winners including Bill Tilden, Francis Hunter, Vincent Richards and Ellsworth Vines. Today, The Greenbrier’s state-of-the-art Tennis Center boasts five Har-Tru outdoor courts with views of the spectacular surrounding Allegheny Mountains, as well as five recently resurfaced Deco-Turf indoor courts and a modern pro shop.
“Pete Sampras is the consummate gentleman ambassador for the international sport of tennis, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome him back to The Greenbrier and count him among our legendary group of sports pros representing America’s Resort,” says Jim Justice, owner of The Greenbrier. “As our first Tennis Pro Emeritus, he joins his fellow Golf Pro Emeritus Tom Watson, along with golf legends Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, representing The Greenbrier-maybe we’ll even see him out on links to take on the golf pros soon!”
From May 26-28, 2014, The Greenbrier will offer the exclusive opportunity for 24 lucky participants to enjoy three days of unforgettable tennis and educational clinics with Pete Sampras, one of the greatest tennis players of all time. The Pete Sampras Tennis Clinic will feature instructional sessions focusing on a variety of tennis skills and techniques, a Round Robin Doubles tournament, a Pro-Am with the pros and an exhibition match.
The 2014 Pete Sampras Clinic Package is priced at $2,000 per person, and includes a welcome reception with Sampras, as well as breakfast and lunch in the Champion’s Room (exclusive of overnight hotel accommodations). Participants in the Pete Sampras Clinic can access a special nightly rate of $199 (plus taxes and resort fees).
For more information about The 2014 Pete Sampras Tennis Clinic at The Greenbrier, please call 304-536-7759, or visit: http://greenbrier.com/
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