NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, June 27, 2008 -- The International Tennis Hall of Fame has announced that the first wild card for the 2008 Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships has been given to Prakash Amritraj of India.

Prakash Amritraj is the son of former tennis professional Vijay Amritraj, a three-time winner of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, and will be making his third appearance in Newport. Last year Prakash won three Futures events, and on the Challenger circuit he reached the semifinals at Aptos, CA. At Newport last year, he qualified for the tournament then went on to reach the quarterfinals of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.

“Prakash played very well here in Newport last year,” said Mark Stenning, Tournament Director and Chief Executive Officer of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. “He has been consistently performing well on the Challenger circuit and in Futures events, and I believe given this opportunity, he can do well in this year’s Campbell’s tournament.”

In 2003 Prakash turned pro and received a wild card into the Newport singles tournament (first round loss to eventual champion Robby Ginepri). The 24-year-old is also a five-year member of the Indian Davis Cup team and is currently the second highest ranked player in India.

The Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, July 7-13, follows the Wimbledon fortnight and is the only ATP event played on grass in North America. Current players who will compete in Newport include Mardy Fish, John Isner, Vince Spadea, Nicolas Mahut (the Campbell’s 2007 finalist) and defending champion Fabrice Santoro.

In conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, the International Tennis Hall of Fame will hold its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, July 12th. The Class of 2008 will be represented by 1989 French Open Champion Michael Chang and contributors Mark McCormack and Eugene Scott (both posthumously). Presenting Michael Chang for induction will be his brother, Carl. Presenting Mark McCormack for induction will be nine-time Grand Slam women’s singles champion Monica Seles, while Eugene L. Scott will be presented by 1999 Hall of Famer and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion John McEnroe. On Sunday, the Hall of Fame Classic exhibition matches (starting at 10am) will feature Michael Chang along with Hall of Famer Stan Smith and former professional stars Todd Martin, Tom Gullikson, and others to be announced.

Tickets are available for all sessions of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and the Hall of Fame Classic. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 866-914-FAME or go online to www.tennisfame.com.


Hall of Fame Class of 2008: Michael Chang, Mark McCormack, Gene Scott
Kat Anderson
International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum
Marketing & Public Relations Manager
194 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840
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e: kat@tennisfame.com
Visit us online at www.tennisfame.com

Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, July 7-13
International Tennis Hall of Fame Champions Cup, August 13-17