McEnroe Challenge for Charity to Feature Roddick, Davenport Among Others

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of the BNP Paribas Open:

The McEnroe Challenge for Charity presented by Masimo, a one-day, free admission special event on Saturday, March 7 ahead of the BNP Paribas Open, the largest ATP World Tour and WTA combined two-week event in the world, will feature John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Tracy Austin, Lindsay Davenport, James Blake, Rick Leach, Coco Vandeweghe and Madison Keys, it was announced today by Steve Simon, tournament director.

This year’s event will be played in a team format, with McEnroe and Roddick each captaining a team. The teams will be determined on the evening of Friday, March 6 at the Charity Reception. Each match (men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles) will consist of one set, with each game won counting as one point towards the team’s cumulative score. No ad-scoring, receiver’s choice (gender to gender in mixed doubles), and a 12-point tiebreak (six-games-all) will be used throughout the event.

In addition, the “coach” may substitute a player, male or female, into any match at any time. There will be no limit on the number of substitutions that can be made. If the Team Match is tied at the end of the four matches, a super tiebreaker (10 point) will be played to determine a winner. Each player on the team will be required to play at least two points within the super tiebreaker.

Each player and doubles team will represent a designated local charity, and 100 percent of the prize money ($80,000) earned – $15,000 for the winner and $5,000 for the loser of each match – will be donated to the charity the player or team represents. The designated charities will be the Andy Roddick Foundation, Eisenhower Medical Center, Patient Safety Movement Foundation, and the War Casualty Fund.

Masimo, now a Premier sponsor of the BNP Paribas Open, is the new presenting sponsor for the McEnroe Challenge for Charity. A global medical technology company that has developed innovative medical devices including the recently introduced MightySat™ fingertip pulse oximeter for sports and consumer use, Masimo will have a booth/exhibit space on the grounds to showcase the company during the BNP Paribas Open.

“Masimo is excited to be the presenting sponsor for the McEnroe Challenge for Charity, as this event provides an ideal way to raise money for charity and kick off the BNP Paribas Open,” said Joe Kiani, founder and CEO of Masimo and founder of the Patient Safety Movement Foundation. “We look forward to supporting a special free evening for fans, watching some of the best tennis players in the history of the game compete, and most importantly raising money for terrific causes.”

On Saturday, March 7th, the gates will open at 5:00 p.m. and matches will begin at 6:00 p.m. To reserve a complimentary ticket to the McEnroe Challenge for Charity presented by Masimo (limit of four (4) per customer), please visit www.bnpparibasopen.com, call 800-999-1585 or come to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden Box Office at 78-200 Miles Avenue, Indian Wells, Calif., 92210.

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