Rafael Nadal launches the first ever Eisenhower Cup at Indian Wells
Two days before the start of the 2019 BNP Paribas Open, the three-time Indian Wells champion Rafael Nadal will host the first edition of the $150,000 winner-take-all Eisenhower Cup on Tuesday, March 5! “Rafa & Friends” is a one-night Tie Break Tens event that will gather the 17-time Grand Slam champion together with special guests, Milos Raonic, Gael Monfils and Dominic Thiem, along with two other players that organizers will announce in the following days. A thrilling night at one of the best tennis tournaments in the world will take place on Stadium 2 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Tie Break Tens format that contains first to ten-point tie break matches.
Players will be divided into two groups with round-robin play, with the culmination in the final clash between the group winners, giving the fans the opportunity to watch seven entertaining encounters from 7:00 p.m. All the ticket money (they cost $25) will go to four local charities, Masimo’s Patient Safety Movement; Eisenhower Health; Bighorn Golf Club Charities; and Family YMCA of the Desert. The world no. 2 Rafael Nadal had made his Indian Wells debut back in 2004 at the age of 17, reaching the third round and forming a special bound with one of the most prominent tennis tournaments outside Majors, winning 50 matches overall and lifting trophies in 2007, 2009 and 2013.
In the season behind us, Rafa was forced to skip BNP Paribas Open for the first time since 2005 and he will fight for the title again from March 7 together with the rest of the tennis elite, as all the top players from the world have confirmed their participation.
“We are thrilled to have the Eisenhower Cup presented by Masimo kickoff the BNP Paribas Open and raise funds for local charities,” said Tommy Haas, BNP Paribas Open Tournament Director. “We are grateful to Rafa, Dominic, Milos and Gael for participating in a special evening that will be a terrific way to begin this year’s tournament.”
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2EhBA0d
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