NEW YORK, April 29, 2009 – Jim Courier will provide fans and followers with insights into his in-match thought processes by using the social
network “Twitter” during his upcoming Saturday, May 2 grudge match against John McEnroe at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, N.Y. “I have been using Twitter for the last few months and find it an excellent way to communicate directly with fans,” said Courier, who can be found at . “It will be quite a unique experience to use Twitter on change-overs and provide fans and followers some unique perspectives on in-match thought processes and perspectives.” Courier and McEnroe will open up the “Turning Stone Resort and Casino Legendary Night” at 7 pm EST with a grudge match in their first meeting in New York State since the 1992 U.S. Open. Following the singles match, Courier will pair with Anna Kournikova in mixed doubles against McEnroe and Tracy Austin, who both won their first major titles at the U.S. Open 30 years ago. The event will be run by the Turning Stone Resort in conjunction with InsideOut Sports & Entertainment, the New York-based sports marketing company co-founded by Courier that also runs the Outback Champions Series, the global tennis circuit for champion tennis players age 30 and over. Jim Courier goes Twitter! Courier is believed to be the first professional tennis player to use Twitter or any social networking device while competing in a professional match. The use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are forbidden in the rules of tennis as it opens up the possibility of illegal coaching. “My match with John is not a sanctioned match and not part of the Outback Champions Series circuit so this allows me to have some fun with Twitter,” said Courier. “I will be tweeting my thoughts on changeovers but won’t be answering any questions until after the match is concluded. It should be fun experimenting with this and I’m looking forward to the feedback that the Tweeters will no doubt provide.” Coaching is allowed on-court between sets in WTA Tour events and on on-court on changeovers by designated captains in Davis Cup and Fed Cup play. Coaching is also allowed in WorldTeamTennis play. Courier is fresh off winning his first tournament of the year on the Outback Champions Series, defeating Jimmy Arias 6-4, 6-2 in the final of The Residences at the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships Sunday in the Cayman Islands. Courier’s win vaulted him past Pete Sampras to the No. 1 ranking on the global champions’ tennis circuit. In February, McEnroe won the Rio Champions Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, defeating Courier in the final. The 50-year-old McEnroe, in fact, has beaten the 38-year-old Courier in their last two Outback Champions Series meetings
Tickets for Turning Stone’s “Legendary Night” are priced at $35 – $100 and are available by calling the Turning Stone Box Office at 361.SHOW or toll free at 1.877.833.SHOW. The Turning Stone Box Office is open daily from 10am to 8pm. Tickets can also be purchased at any Ticketmaster location or online at . Overnight accommodation packages can be purchased by calling 1-800-771-7711.