For Tennis Now | @TennisNow | Thursday September 12, 2024
Photo credit: Matthew Calvin
Madison Square Garden will be the tennis capital of the world in December.
World-class tennis returns to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, December 4 with the Garden Cup, it was announced today.
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Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, US Open finalist Jessica Pegula and US Open semifinalists Ben Shelton and Emma Navarro will make their Madison Square Garden debuts in a special one-night tennis showcase that begins at 7:00 pm Eastern.
Reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz will lead the elite to Madison Square Garden and face 2023 US Open semi-finalist Ben Shelton. The two young stars met once before in 2023 during the ATP Masters 1000 event in Canada where Alcaraz beat the No. 17 Shelton’s current in straight sets.
The third-ranked Spaniard has won four Grand Slam titles at the age of 21. At the age of 19 she won her first Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open followed by the Wimbledon title in 2023 and earlier this year, making it five times. a few weeks ago, he won five straight sets to capture the French Open before defeating Novak Djokovic to successfully defend his Wimbledon title. At the 2024 Summer Olympics, Alcaraz represented Spain and became the third youngest man to win a single Olympic medal, winning the silver medal after falling to Djokovic.
“I’m looking forward to going back to New York on December 4 to play with Ben at Madison Square Garden,” said Alcaraz. “Playing in front of the New York fans at the World’s Famous Arena will be an unforgettable night. It will be a great thing.”
Jessica Pegula, a native of Buffalo, is coming off her best Grand Slam appearance in the US Open tournament for the first time in her career. WTA Tour No. 3 ranked in the area and the No. 1 American will take to The Garden court and take on the 8th ranked player, Emma Navarro, who played in the semi-final round of the US Open marking her best Grand Slam appearance.
The two American women recently teamed up to represent Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Their one and only career meeting took place at the 2024 Miami Open Round of 16 where Pegula got the better of Navarro. “As a tennis player from New York, you dream of playing in the finals of the US Open and playing in Madison Square Garden,” said Pegula. “Being able to do both in one year shows that dreams can come true. I’m looking forward to returning to New York and playing Emma in front of the best fans in the world. “
Fan favorite Shelton said he is busy with the prospect of playing in the World’s Famous Arena.
“I’m very happy to have the opportunity to play at Madison Square Garden, which is one of the greatest places in the world,” said Sheltons. “New York has always been a special place for me, and I can’t wait to play in front of an electric New York crowd with Carlos. It will be amazing to play in front of a packed house!”
“I’m very happy, said Navarro. “We are in one of the most important arenas in the world. And being able to share the stage with his American colleague Jess, and put on a show in the US, in New York City, is special. I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for The Garden Cup start at $57 when purchased in person at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Madison Square Garden (4 Penn Plaza) and $75.75 (including an $18.75 service charge) when purchased online at msg.com
For groups of nine or more, please contact the Group Sales Department at 212-465-6080 or [email protected]. Accessible and compatible seats are available through the Accessibility Services Department at 888-609-7599 or [email protected].
Tennis returns to The World’s Famous Arena for the first time since 2018 when Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Elina Svitolina, Coco Vandeweghe, Shuai Zhang, Marion Bartoli, Daniela Hantuchova and Sorana Cirstea take to the Garden court.
Since 2008 Madison Square Garden has hosted a special ten-year event featuring exciting players such as Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, the Williams sisters, Kim Clijsters, Ana Ivanovic, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl. , Mike and Bob Bryan, John and Patrick McEnroe, Stan Wawrinka, Gael Monfils, Jack Sock, Nick Kyrigos, Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Monica Seles and Gabriela Sabatini.
From 1972-2001, the season-ending women’s tournament was played at Madison Square Garden and featured the top 16 singles players in the world.
For a time, the Madison Square Garden final was the only tournament in the world where women played a best-of-five set final.
