World Tennis Day took place on Monday 4 March 2013 and was centred around two special events:
The first event was the BNP Paribas Showdown at the AsiaWorld-Arena in Hong Kong. The headline act saw Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) take on Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), followed by Ivan Lendl (USA) renewing his rivalry with John McEnroe (USA).
Moving across to the other side of the world, the well-established BNP Paribas Showdown in New York’s Madison Square Garden saw Serena Williams (USA) face Victoria Azerenka (BLR) before Rafael Nadal (ESP) made a long-awaited return to New York to face Juan Martin del Potro (ARG).
Both events, organised by the promoter StarGames, included demonstrations of the ITF Tennis10s programme aimed at increasing participation among young players around the world.
“World Tennis Day will put a spotlight on tennis participation in our Centenary year,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. “The very successful BNP Paribas Showdown in New York, staged by the USTA in association with StarGames as part of Tennis Night in America, is an example of how special events and participation activities can be combined successfully.
"We are pleased with the initial response from many of our member national associations, and look forward to additional events and activities around the world over the next few years.”