ESPN Caribbean to present exclusive live coverage of the Inaugural Dream Cup Barbados.
Grand Slam Champions Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro along with top players Richard Gasquet and Nicolas Almagro headline. Hosted by Saint Peter's Bay Luxury Resort & Residence.
The Dream Cup Barbados will showcase four (4) of the world's best tennis players, including Grand Slam Champions Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro along with Richard Gasquet and Nicolas Almagro. The Caribbean island will be the center of the tennis universe this Thanksgiving weekend with four of the premiere tennis players in the world competing from November 28 to December 1.
As part of a two-year agreement, ESPN will air exclusive live coverage of the event on its television and broadband networks in Australia and New Zealand, Brazil, the Caribbean and Spanish-speaking Latin America, and stream it live on its broadband network in the U.S. ESPN's agreement with the Dream Cup Barbados also includes exclusive live airing of the 2014 event.
The Dream Cup Barbados on ESPN
(All times Eastern)
DATE
Friday 29 November
6 pm - 10 pm - Australia - ESPN 2, ESPN3
6 pm - 10 pm - Brazil - ESPN+, WatchESPN
6 pm - 10 pm - Caribbean - ESPN 2, ESPN Play
6 pm - 10 pm - Mexico - ESPN 2, ESPN Play
6 pm - 10 pm - U.S. - ESPN3
Saturday 30 November
6 pm - 8 pm - Australia & New Zealand - ESPN, ESPN3
6 pm - 8 pm - Brazil - ESPN, WatchESPN
6 pm - 8 pm - Caribbean - ESPN, ESPN3
6 pm - 8 pm - Latin America - ESPN, ESPN Play
6 pm - 8 pm - U.S. - ESPN3
Tournament players will enjoy rest and relaxation at the luxurious Saint Peter's Bay Resort & Residences after a grueling tennis season. The Dream Cup Barbados players will compete for a US $500,000 villa stay in one of the premium three bedroom beachfront homes at Saint Peter's Bay Resort & Residences, a luxury resort featuring magnificent ocean views and breathtaking sunsets on Barbados' northwest coast.
"We are thrilled to have top players like Andy, Juan Martin, Richard and Nicolas come to Barbados and experience this incredible paradise," said Kodi Lewis, Executive Director, The Dream Cup Barbados. "We are grateful for the relationships with key supporters such as the Barbados Tourism Authority, ESPN and Saint Peter's Bay. Having this amazing tennis talent compete on the island will be a fantastic experience for the fans and sponsors and we can't wait to kick 'The Dream Cup' off."
"The Dream Cup from Barbados is an exceptional showcase for some of the best tennis players in the world," Michael Walters, vice president, programming, ESPN International, said. "It will provide ESPN International's multi-platform services with an outstanding tennis competition from a unique venue and we are pleased to be able to bring this event live to fans around the world."
The event begins on Thursday November 28th with the exclusive Players Evening Cocktail Party to be held at Saint Peter's Bay and the official match-draw for the best-of-three sets competition. The tennis tournament challenge will begin Friday evening November 29th with the two Semi-Final Singles Matches at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex. Saturday evening will be The Dream Cup Singles Final, again at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex. On Sunday, there will be two closing events with the Cocktails On The Court Party/VIP Mixer and an Exhibition Doubles Match at the Sugar Hills Estates in St. James.
Hospitality packages are available and include access to all events including the three matches, Player's Party and Cocktails On The Court/VIP Mixer. Please visit www.thedreamcup.com or email: ina@thedreamcup.com
About The Dream Cup Barbados
Started in 2009 as "Tennis Pon de Rock," the event has attracted top tennis talent like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, John Isner, Gael Monfils, Victoria Azarenka, and Caroline Wozniacki. The event was inspired by tournament founder and executive director Kodi Lewis as a way to raise funds for his brother Hayden Lewis who aspired to pursue his dream to play on the ATP Tour.
The Dream Cup recently completed a two-year deal with ESPN in which The Dream Cup and Barbados will be featured across ESPN's extensive networks and associated platforms. While the name of the tournament has changed to The Dream Cup, the motto remains the same "Aspire To Inspire." The organization aims to provide financial support to assist in the development of tennis in Barbados by providing assistance to the Barbados Tennis Association's School Initiative Program. This program introduces tennis to a large number of children on the island who otherwise would not be able to afford to participate.