Tennis Stars Shine at Champions Cup Cocktail Event

Jim Courier with fans, the Braff boys

As the only Australian in the field of eight outstanding tennis stars, it is only fitting that Pat Cash won the finals of the highly enjoyable Outback Champions Cup tournament, held recently in Newport, which pitted Hall of Famers Jim Courier and Mats Wilander against the defending champion and other enduring stars of the sport. The irrepressible Cash was in Newport with his 14-year-old son, Shannon Cash.

Battling for $150,000 dollars in prizes were Todd Martin, Mark Philippoussis, Wayne Ferreira, Jimmy Arias, and Mikael Pernfors, who delighted guests at a Friday night cocktail party held at the Hall of Fame, filled with repartee, banter, and reminiscences of matches past. Tournament announcer Amy Lawrence was on hand to introduce the players, and to ask pointed questions. Tennis Hall of Fame CEO Mark Stenning addressed the guests, who included Steve Lewinstein, an owner of the Boston Celtics, a former head of Burger King, who offered burger vouchers to all, Meg Braff with her three sons, and Katie Galimova who held her cherished tennis ball, signed

Kris Cumming & Stacie Mills

by Jim Courier and Mark Philippoussis. Philippoussis is just back to playing after knee surgery 3-1/2 months ago. Louis Lamborghini spoke with Anne and Eduardo Lessa, and Stacie Mills arrived with Kris Cummings of Barton & Gray.

Mats Wilander recalled his 2002 enshrinement at the Hall of Fame, and talked about coaching Marat Safin, as well as playing Davis Cup. Pat Cash called the 2009 Newport tournament, “a fantastic event.”