Nike Clash of the Champions

NIKE Tennis Stars to be Showcased at Matthew Knight Arena

Free Family Tennis Festival Offered for Ticketholders

Score another ace for Matthew Knight Arena.

The University of Oregon's sparkling new facility will host five of the biggest stars from the professional tennis circuit, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams, who are scheduled to appear March 8 in the "NIKE Clash of the Champions."

The event, which will begin at 5:30 p.m., will feature Sharapova and Azarenka playing a singles set, followed by a mixed doubles set and then a men’s singles set between the top two players in the world, Nadal and Federer.

Williams, who is recovering from a 2010 foot injury and withdrew from the exhibition on the advice of her medical advisors, will be one of the highlights of the free USTA Pacific Northwest Family Tennis Festival, which will take place at Matthew Knight Arena prior to the NIKE Clash of the Champions.

"We are extremely excited to host some of the biggest names in professional tennis in Matthew Knight Arena," said Oregon Director of Athletics Rob Mullens. "Our unique partnership with NIKE has allowed us to attract this one-of-a-kind event to the University of Oregon and the Eugene-Springfield community.

"The NIKE Clash of the Champions is going to create tremendous buzz up and down the Willamette Valley," said Mullens. "It is a great example of the variety of events we are able to feature at Matthew Knight Arena."

A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition will benefit each of the four athletes' charitable foundations. Under certain circumstances, it is possible that one or more of the advertised athletes will not be able to participate in the NIKE Clash of the Champions.

Victoria Azarenka Joins Impressive Roster
Azarenka, a 21-year-old rising star from Belarus, inherits Williams’ spot in one of the biggest professional tennis exhibitions ever in the Pacific Northwest. She will join the line up of the world’s best players, Federer, Nadal and Sharapova for the hot-ticket event.
Federer owns a men’s record 16 Grand Slam singles titles, including the 2010 Australian Open, while Nadal counts the 2010 French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open among his nine career Slam titles.

Sharapova brings the 2004 Wimbledon, 2006 U.S. Open and 2008 Australian Open titles to Eugene, while Azarenka is a five-time winner on the pro tennis tour, and was most recently a quarterfinalist at the 2011 Australian Open. She is currently ranked ninth on the world tour.

Free Family Tennis Festival Offered for Ticketholders
Williams, who holds an amazing 27 combined career singles and doubles Grand Slam titles, as well as current members of the University of Oregon varsity men’s and women’s tennis programs will be featured at a free USTA Pacific Northwest Family Tennis Festival, which will be held from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. prior to the NIKE Clash of the Champions at Matthew Knight Arena’s Basketball Practice Courts, located on the building’s east side.

“I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to play at the NIKE Clash of the Champions as I had anticipated,” said Serena Williams. “I’m thrilled, however, to still be able to participate in the Family Tennis Festival and in the exhibition as a referee during the mixed doubles. This is an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime event and I’m honored to be able to share my love of tennis with Pacific Northwest fans and to thank Nike tennis for all their continuous support.”

The Family Tennis Festival is open to all event ticket holders, ages 5 and up, and will feature a variety of interactive games and activities for all playing abilities, including the QuickStart Tennis format that is designed to get kids playing immediately. There is no preregistration necessary and all equipment will be provided. A designated door on the east side of the arena will open at 3 p.m. for the festival only. Doors to the public for the NIKE Clash of the Champions will open at 3:30 p.m. Current Duck tennis players and coaches will also be working with participants at the Festival and will play on center court from 4-5 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENT: Family Tennis Fair . MKA Practice Court
DOOR TIME: 3:00 PM (access through the exterior practice court door near Media Staff Entrance (southeast area of the arena).
END TIME: 5:00 PM
TICKETS: Open to all ticket holders

PARKING: $10 . Columbia Street Garage, Columbia Street ADA, Lot 4 (Riverfront Parkway), Lot 45 & 52 (14th & Walnut) open 2:30 PM.

SHUTTLES: Shuttles running from Autzen Stadium (Entry 5), Springfield LTD Station (5th & South A) and Downtown Eugene (10th between Willamette & Oak). $3 or LTD pass for round trip. Starts at 4pm.

EMX: Service between Eugene Station & Springfield Station every 15 minutes until 9pm and 30 minutes until 10:45pm. $3 or LTD pass each way. (good option for people accessing the Festival before 4pm)

CLUB ACCESS: McArthur Club open to hospitality credential, Founders Club open to hospitality credential.

CAMERA POLICY: No video, no professional cameras.

RE-ENTRY: Matthew Knight Arena is a no re-entry facility.

FOOD & BEVERAGE: No outside food or beverage unless medically required. All concessions and merchandise points of sale take credit cards.