Edberg Says 'Yes' At Last
Stefan Edberg will play competitive tennis for the first time in 12 years after signing up to play on the BlackRock Tour of Champions in 2008.

Edberg, who won six Grand Slam titles including two Wimbledon crowns, had previously declined invitations to compete against his old rivals. News of his acceptance is a further boost to the BlackRock Tour of Champions after Pete Sampras announced last month that he would play in two events this year.

The Swede will compete in Paris, France (The Trophée Jean-Luc Lagardère, September 18-21, 2008) and at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England (The BlackRock Masters Tennis, December 4-9, 2008).

The 42-year-old won fans all over the world with his classical serve-and-volley style, and he could yet get to play against Sampras for the first time in 13 years when the pair arrive in London.

Sampras is looking forward to the prospect.

“It’s great to hear that Stefan is going to be playing because he’s a great guy and a great player,” said Sampras, who led their personal head-to-head 8-6.

“I’m looking forward to playing against him because I always looked up to him with his serve-volley game, his movement and the attitude that he had. I always thought that he was a real gentleman and I’m looking forward to seeing him, talking to him and just seeing how his life is as I haven’t spoken to him for many years.”

Edberg has largely kept out of the limelight since retiring in 1996, but he is excited at the prospect of joining the circuit of former World No.1’s, Grand Slam finalists and Davis cup winners.

"I retired from the ATP circuit 12 years ago and had often been asked to play on the BlackRock Tour of Champions, but I had always said 'no' in the past,” said Edberg.

“This time I decided to say 'yes' and I will play at the events in Paris in September and the Royal Albert Hall in London in December. They are beautiful cities and I am looking forward to seeing and playing against some of my old rivals."

Nuala Walsh, Head of International Marketing at BlackRock commented: "It is really exciting news that such a stylish and successful player as Stefan Edberg is going to join the BlackRock Tour of champions.”

The BlackRock Masters Tennis Tournament Director, Peter Worth, agreed.

"We have been trying to persuade Stefan to join the Champions Tour for years - he has a huge following and I am sure everyone will be delighted to see him," he said.

Sampras will make his BlackRock Tour of Champions debut in Sao Paulo, June 19-22, before also arriving in London in December.

This is excellent news. Edberg is the number 1 Gentleman in tennis and his presence will make the tournament much more noteworthy.

:ok: Great news for those going to the London event! Having both Sampras and Edberg there will be awesome.

Ahhh the serve and volley stylish Swede :wub:

I used to hate him actualyl cos I got bored with him being so good! :lol:

fans of classic tennis (players) are going to be VERY happy!!! :D ;)

I was personally excited by this news as Edberg is a class player and just what the tour needs along with Sampras.
Pity Becker can't commit more,but perhaps the sight of his old rival coming may persuade him too.

Anyway it will be great to Edberg as his volley,serve and backhand look like gifts from god,whereas his forehand looks like it was fashioned by a drunk mechanic :D

Nahhh, the real talent out there in the senior tour is Paul Haaruis! ;)

:coffee:

:D :D

I've seen someone describe his forehand like that before! Amazing how his backhand was so rich and venomous, yet his forehand looked like something out of a disaster movie.

Got me Gav trying to pass it off as my own work.I read it in an article on the net some time back also,and thought it was hilarious. :D

Unlike you Tenez to stoke the debating fires ;)

Why you terrible terrible Plagiariser! :P :P Yeah, I thought I had heard something similar although not the same.

No matter how poor his forehand was we can both agree he was a master. As you say would be nice to see if Boris would come out to play too.

What woudl those forums be like without those debate? ;)

You know I am a big Edberg fan (loved the gentleman).....but I can't quite get excited about these senior tours at all. I enjoyed going to the royal albert hall a couple of times (cause I was invited) and it's still nice to watch them move around a court but how Edberg might fare v Sampras or Goran is simply under my blinking eye stimuli threashold. I get more buzz watching Barhami serving with 5 balls.

god bless Stefan Edberg :bow:

:lmaao: :lmaao: :lmaao:

Tenez you are so funny! I just choked on my Earl Grey reading that bit about Bahrami :lol:

Cheers SB. Sadly, I do laugh at my own jokes too! ;)

And why not! :lol: It's a cheap laugh and it's good for the soul. In fact I hate to say it but I often make myself laugh nore than many other people around me who just are not funny. I have firedns I call up just for a laugh, we make each other laugh then say goodbye. :D

Edberg was such an equisite player, every ounce of him oozed with class. Best backhand volley in the game too :bow:

Great to see him at the Masters, after years of refusing to play :lol:

I always laugh at myself, what's the point of not? I hate people who take themselves too seriously :rolleyes:

I'm just one big fool roflmao

roflmao You are right dl, I hate folks who take themselves seriously too. Life is a fool if you ask me, and if you can't make a fool of yourself once ein a while then you might as well be dead. :lol:

Wow the tour of champions is becoming better than the atp, almost :P Is starting to make me feel old though. 1 of the guys playing in Hamburg (MK Goellner) was in the 1st match I saw live at Bmouth. The good old days :whistle:

I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old,and life is full of immaturity for me.Although some would say I'm a fool without the children to encourage me. :wacko:

All great posts! :) Agreed on all fronts :ok:

Brakkus, if I had a 3 and 5 year old, I'd think that they might tell me to grow up! roflmao Mind you, I get on pretty well with the children of all of my friends.. Always full of energy and great fun (and gives my friends a welcome break from the joys of parenthood) ;)

Yep today me and my 3 year old son were squirting each other with super soakers,very juvenile,but I get a second childhood,and the kids don't get a boring dad. :D

my 6yr and 9yr old manage to keep me young some days and aged beyond my years on others - especially micro - shes 6 going on 16 - the attitude :unsure:

on the news of Edberg - :clap: hope he makes the semis and plays Saturday afternoon in December - cos I am taking my mum as a birthday present and that would be just the icing on the cake :)

I am chuffed to hear about this, as Edberg is one of my all time faves, and he has THE most cool 1st name.... :whistle:

I feelin ya big time there :argh: