Bryans Commit To Play Legg Mason Tennis Classic

© Getty ImagesThe Bryans will look to claim their fourth title in Washington DC this summer.

World No. 1 doubles team - three-time Legg Mason Tennis Classic champions Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan - have announced their plans to participate in the 2011 Legg Mason Tennis Classic presented by GEICO, which begins Saturday, July 30 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center (16th and Kennedy Streets, N.W.), and runs through Sunday, August 7. 

Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan (USA) tied the world record of 61 career doubles titles in August 2010, and finished the year at No. 1 for a record sixth time, with a perfect 11-0 record in finals.  They haven’t slowed down since hitting that mark, and currently have 73 doubles titles as a team.  The Bryans began 2011 winning their 10th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, then made it 11 in London when they captured the crown at Wimbledon.  In between, the duo won titles at Houston, ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo, ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid and London Queen’s Club, for a total of six titles so far in 2011.  While it might be easy to rest on their laurels, the twins from Camarillo, CA have shown no signs of slowing down, continuing their record-setting ways.

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“We were still teenagers when we first played at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic as wild card entries,” according to Mike Bryan.  “This year will be our 11th time playing and we’ve won three times.  We always enjoy coming to DC and are eager to win a fourth title.”

The pair reached their first Legg Mason Tennis Classic final in 2001, then again in 2002.  They were champions here in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

“The addition of the Bryans, considered by most as the greatest doubles team of all-time, to the Legg Mason Tennis Classic is great news for Washington tennis fans,” said Jeff Newman, Tournament Director.  “They are without question two of the most charismatic players on the ATP World Tour, both on and off the court, and we are thrilled to have them competing.  We also look forward to the return of Wayne Bryan, who will once again bring his entertaining personality to the court and tournament events.”

This year’s Legg Mason Tennis Classic singles field features three Top 10 and eight of the current Top 25 players in the world, including ATP World Tour No. 7 Gaël Monfils, No. 9 Mardy Fish, No. 10 Andy Roddick, No. 12 Jurgen Melzer, and No. 13 Viktor Troicki, as well as No. 22 Fernando Verdasco, defending champion David Nalbandian, No. 24, 2010 runner-up and No. 25 Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus).  John Isner, the 2007 runner-up – who just won his first ATP singles title of the year at Newport – 2004 champion Lleyton Hewitt, 2002 champion & 2005 runner-up James Blake, and 2003 runner-up Fernando Gonzalez are also expected to play.  As always, the player list is subject to change due to injury and other unforeseen circumstances.

Ticket packages and single session tickets for the Legg Mason Tennis Classic are now on sale. Call +1 202 721 9500 or click here.

The William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park features fierce competition between top players on the ATP World Tour, but this year the hottest competition may well be that taking place in the kitchen on Monday night, August 1st! 

Rums of Puerto Rico hosts Chef Challenge - Experience the Flavor of Puerto Rico, pitting Executive Chef Roger Villalobos of Mio Restaurant against Executive Chef Raynold Mendizabal of Lima Restaurant in a battle to determine who most masterfully creates flavorful and original Latin dishes infusing a variety of rums as theme ingredients.

The entertaining culinary showdown will take place from 6 until 8 pm, in the tournament’s Hospitality Tent.  Among the judges are International Tennis Hall of Famer Gigi Fernandez – the first-ever female Puerto Rican athlete to turn professional – and Shannon Shaffer, Executive Chef of Design Cuisine, with others to be named.  Judges will sample both chef’s dishes and rate a variety of categories to determine the champion.

“The Legg Mason Tennis Classic is thrilled to partner with Rums of Puerto Rico to present a fun event that will provide attendees with the opportunity to observe a culinary competition up-close and personal, and sample some of the best Latin and Puerto Rican cuisine in the area,” said Tournament Director Jeff Newman. “In addition to nine days of world-class tennis, we strive to offer an array of special events that appeal to a wide range of audiences and this competition speaks to that.” 

Tickets for the Chef Challenge competition hosted by Rums of Puerto Rico includes food and drink during the reception, a ticket to all the Monday session main draw matches, and the chance to meet Hall of Famer Gigi Fernandez, all for just $70.  Fans can find additional information and purchase tickets at the tournament Website, www.leggmasontennisclassic.com.

"Rums of Puerto Rico is pleased to bring these exquisite flavors to the Legg Mason Tennis Classic,” said Nicole Rodriguez, Director, Rums of Puerto Rico.  “We are proud to sponsor this great event and show tennis fans that our world famous Puerto Rican rums are as versatile and exciting as the tennis that the tournament will showcase."

For more information about the tournament and special events taking place, please go to the official Legg Mason Tennis Classic website here.