Alpharetta, Ga., (Oct. 11, 2012) – UNICEF ambassador for Serbia, five-time Grand Slam champion and world No. 2 Novak Djokovic of Serbia has entered the 2012 Necker Cup, the world’s most exclusive Pro-Am, to be held on Sir Richard Branson’s private island Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands Dec. 9-13.
Event Manager Premier Tennis Travel has also announced that Djokovic will be joined by the world’s greatest doubles team the Bryan Brothers and Mark Philippoussis, among others. “To have Novak and so many other great players participating in the Necker Cup is very exciting,” said Trevor Short, President of Premier Tennis Travel. “They’re all great ambassadors for the game on and off the court.”
Amateurs can book a space in the Necker Cup Pro-Am by calling (001) 800.376.0975 or visiting http://www.neckercup.com . You can also win a place directly into the Necker Cup by winning the Life Time Necker Cup Challenge, to be run in eight markets across the US. In addition, you can register to play in the Rosewood Little Dix Bay Legends Tennis Camp at http://www.neckercup.com/legends, which will take place at the same time nearby at the world-renowned resort at Virgin Gorda and will be hosted by Grand Slam doubles winners, the Jensen Brothers.
“Everything is shaping up to be an unforgettable week on Necker Island,” said Michael Richards, Director of Tennis at Necker and Co-Founder of the Necker Cup. “With the current players and now with Novak signing we are confident others will follow. We are sure to have an incredible collection of current and former tennis legends playing in the first Necker Cup.”
Each evening will end with a unique cocktail and dinner experience concluding with an “End of the World” awards dinner, party and auction on Dec. 12 at Rosewood Little Dix Bay where the Legends Tennis Camp participants will have a chance to meet with Sir Richard and mingle with the past and current tennis stars. One hundred percent of all donations from the auction will directly benefit the local BVI community, Virgin Unite, the National Tennis Foundation, Novak Djokovic Foundation and other ATP and WTA player charities.
In addition to the tennis, Sir Richard will kick off a Virgin Unite Leadership Retreat where Necker Cup participants will get to learn from one of the world’s most successful business leaders, as well as other social, sports and business icons.
The Life Time Necker Cup Challenge registration continues with the first two of eight U.S. events scheduled for Tempe, AZ, and Minneapolis, MN, Oct. 12-14. Players can enter the Necker Cup Challenge for a chance to win a spot in the Necker Cup. Events will also take place in Colorado Springs, CO, Boca Raton, FL, Norcross, GA, Rochester Hills, MI, White Bear Lake, MN, Colleyville, TX, and Houston. All winners of each of the eight events advance to the Life Time Necker Cup Challenge finals Nov. 17-19 in Colorado Springs. Learn more or register at http://www.neckercup.com/home/how-can-i-attend/life-time-fitness-necker-cup-challenge/
For more information on the Necker Cup call 800.376.0975 or visit the website at: http://www.neckercup.com. Check the following sites for more information on Premier Tennis Travel (www.Premiertennistravel.com), Life Time Fitness (www.lifetimefitness.com) or Necker Island (www.neckerisland.com).
About Necker Cup 2012
Sir Richard Branson in conjunction with Premier Tennis Travel will host a five-day world-class Pro-Am tennis event on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands Dec. 9-13. Sir Richard will join eight current and former ATP and WTA legends to pair up with eight amateur teams of all levels. A handicapped scoring format will be used making it competitive tennis for all tennis levels. Teams consist of one pro and up to two amateurs. Teams compete to win their bracket and earn a chance to play in the Necker Cup Final.
Sir Richard will also join players and participants in a Virgin Unite Leadership Retreat at Temple House on Necker Island. As well as the tennis, participants can engage in typical Necker Island activities including paddle boarding, Pilates, sailing, kite boarding, wake boarding, snorkeling, massage therapy, parties and more. On the final night, an End of the World party will take place and will include an exhibition involving the top pros, an awards ceremony, and an auction. A portion of event profits and 100 percent of all auction proceeds will go to Virgin Unite, the National Tennis Foundation, and other leading ATP and WTA player 501(c) (3) charities. Please visit http://www.neckercup.com for more information.
About Necker Island
Necker Island is Sir Richard Branson’s home and favourite hideaway situated in the British Virgin Islands, a stunning and unspoilt area of the Caribbean. At 74 acres, Necker sits in turquoise waters surrounded by coral reefs and fringed with beautiful white sandy beaches. The island can be hired exclusively or if you’re not looking to hire it exclusively, you can still enjoy the Necker experience during Celebration Weeks when individual rooms can be booked by singles or couples to enjoy our fabulous island paradise ’house party’ style. Necker Island is part of the award-winning luxury retreat portfolio – Virgin Limited Edition. http://www.neckerisland.com
–Steve Pratt
Tennis Atlantic 
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