They share the Open Era record with five consecutive Wimbledon crowns and on November 20, Roger Federer and Bjorn Borg will share the same side of the court in an exhibition match of the BlackRock Tour Of Champions in Macao, China.
Borg and Federer will take on John McEnroe and either Rafael Nadal or James Blake in a doubles match at The Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown 2008, The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel and IMG announced today.
The result of the Davis Cup semifinal tie between Spain and the United States in September will determine whether it is Nadal or Blake who plays in the event. Whomever loses in the Davis Cup will play in Macao.
The event at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel will start with a one-set showdown between Borg and McEnroe, followed by a best-of-three-set clash between Federer and Nadal/Blake. It will climax with Federer and Borg against McEnroe and Nadal/Blake in a 10-point doubles tie break. The Macao Tennis Showdown will take place two days after Borg, McEnroe, Federer and either Blake or Nadal appear in the Kuala Lumpur Showdown Of Champions 2008.
Federer, who defeated 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras, 7-6(6), 7-6(5) in Kuala Lumpur in the second of their three-match exhibition series in Asia last November, has already signed on to return for the headline the "Showdown of Champions Kuala Lumpur 2008", at the 12,000 seat Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur in November. The 12-time Grand Slam champion's opponent in Kuala Lumpur will be determined based on the outcome of the September 19-21 Davis Cup semifinal: if the USA advances to its second straight Davis Cup final then Nadal will face Federer and if Spain, the semifinal favorite, defeats the defending champion then Blake will take on Federer.
The Showdown of Champions will culminate with all four participants sharing the court in a legendary doubles match: Borg and Federer, who share the modern Wimbledon record with five consecutive Wimbledon crowns apiece, will take on McEnroe and either Nadal or Blake in a one-set doubles match.
"The format of the event will see one set between Borg and McEnroe followed by one set between Federer and the fourth player," said Nick Freyer, Senior Vice-President, Head of Tennis–IMG Asia, at a Press Conference to officially launch the Showdown of Champions Kuala Lumpur at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. "The final doubles set will pit Federer and Borg against McEnroe and the other star."
