Five former champions highlight ATP return to Rexall Centre
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Appointed tournament director and former No. 1 ATP doubles player Grant Connell announced Monday the official entry list for the 2006 Rogers Cup presented by American Express, scheduled for August 5-13 at Rexall Centre in Toronto.
The world-class field is highlighted by the Top 50 players on the ATP Tour. Competitors will include defending champion and two-time French Open winner, Rafael Nadal, 2004 Rogers Cup titlist and world No. 1 ranked Roger Federer and 2003 tournament winner Andy Roddick.
Also included in the Top 50 entry list is three-time Rogers Cup champion, Andre Agassi. The American tennis legend will be making his final appearance on Canadian courts following the recent announcement of his retirement which will take place at the conclusion of the 2006 U.S. Open.
Other names on the entry list include ATP third-ranked David Nalbandian from Argentina, No. 7 James Blake from the United States, Australian and ninth-ranked Lleyton Hewitt, Top 10 Croatian players Ivan Ljubicic (No. 4) and Mario Ancic (No. 10), as well as 1999 tournament champion Thomas Johansson from Sweden.
“This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Canadian tournament,” expressed Connell. “The entry list for the 2006 Rogers Cup presented by American Express represents some of the top athletes in the world and we welcome them to Toronto this summer. The tournament will celebrate a Canadian sport tradition with a festival-style atmosphere and elite tennis on court. We are excited to host the tennis world.”
To complete the 64-player draw, eight positions are reserved for qualifiers and four spots are held for wild card entrants at the discretion of Tennis Canada. These entrants will be announced at a later date.
For nine days this summer, the best of men’s tennis will return to Rexall Centre on the campus of York University in Toronto for the 2006 Rogers Cup presented by American Express. Celebrating its 125th anniversary, it is the third-oldest tournament behind only Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Session tickets and corporate hospitality packages are available by visiting rogerscup.com.