Roddick, Hewitt Added to Lineup for BNP Paribas Showdown 10th Anniversary

January 17, 2017 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff

Tennis legends Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt will join the star-studded lineup for the 10th anniversary of the BNP Paribas Showdown on Monday, March 6, it was announced on Monday.   Roddick and Hewitt will join Juan Martin del Potro, Kei Nishikori, Venus Williams, Garbiñe Muguruza, Nick Kyrgios and Jack Sock in the annual tennis showcase at Madison Square Garden, which coincides with “World Tennis Day” activities.

Hewitt, who announced his retirement from the professional tour last January, is back to renew his rivalry with fellow veteran Roddick who retired after the 2012 US Open.  The two former World No. 1 players have produced a combined 62 tournament wins which includes Hewitt’s Grand Slam titles at the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon Championships, as well as Roddick’s Grand Slam victory at the 2002 US Open. 

"I played the World Tennis Day event in Hong Kong a few years ago and love the concept of a worldwide celebration of tennis,” said Hewitt.  “I am really excited about playing Andy at Madison Square Garden which is one of the great venues for our sport. Should be an exciting night for everyone."


Andy Roddick competing last weekend at the PowerShares Series QQQ Cup at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“Playing at Madison Square Garden is a bucket list item for any entertainer, especially for a tennis player … that's normally saved for rock stars and basketball players,” added Roddick.  “To play Roger there in 2012, it was such an amazing atmosphere … when I got the invite to come back, I was going to do everything I could to make that a reality.”

The two are tied at seven wins each in head-to-head competition.  Hewitt will make his Madison Square Garden debut while Roddick returns to the BNP Paribas Showdown for the second time.

Roddick and Hewitt will square off in an action-packed night that also features del Potro, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist taking on No. 5 Nishikori, while former world No. 1 Venus Williams squares off against French Open champion, Muguruza.  Kyrgios and Sock will provide a glimpse of what the future has in store for tennis fans when they take to the Garden court.


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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