EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis Final Player Roster

Thursday, April 23, 2009

It's less than 2 months until EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis (Wii version) ships to North American retailers.

Here is the complete roster of legends and stars that will be featured in the game:

Legends

John McEnroe (USA) - Exclusive to EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis, Johnny Mac is arguably the most recognizable tennis figure in the world. Winner of seven Grand Slam titles, including three Wimbledon titles, he has hosted his own talk show and published an autobiography which was a NY Times #1 best-seller and a London Times #1 best-seller. He remains heavily involved in tennis as a commentator for the Grand Slams and a player on seniors tennis tours. This is the only video game in which you can play as vintage McEnroe from his glory years with the sweatband and signature 1980s big hair.

Bjorn Borg (SWE) – For the first time in a video game, replay the classic 1980 Wimbledon final with Borg and McEnroe. Perhaps no player was able to dominate the French Open and Wimbledon simultaneously like the stoic Swede. From 1974 to 1981, Borg ruled Roland Garros with six straight championships. During the same time he also claimed five straight Wimbledon titles, culminating with the epic 1980 final.

Pete Sampras (USA) – Replicate Pistol Pete’s serve in Grand Slam Tennis, the very serve he used to make Wimbledon his personal playground during the 90s, winning 7 titles in all. No man in tennis history has won more Grand Slam titles than Sampras, who owns the all-time record with 14. In all he retired with 64 total titles and raked in a staggering $43.3-million in prize money.

Stefan Edberg (SWE) – Can you embody class and grace in Grand Slam Tennis like Stefan Edberg did? He treated fans to six Grand Slam titles and ascended to number one in the world in August 1990, becoming one of the only players to hold the number one ranking in both singles and doubles. Edberg retired in 1996 with 42 total titles.

Boris Becker (GER) – Check out Becker in the game with his classic serve & volley game and signature dives at Wimbledon. “Boom Boom” exploded to tennis prominence with his stunning Wimbledon victory in 1985 as an unseeded 17-year old. Becker successfully defended his title the next year and quickly became a household name.

Current Stars

Venus Williams, USA

Serena Williams, USA

Rafael Nadal (ESP) – Fist pump your way to French Open dominance just like current world number one Nadal. He broke through at the French Open, winning four straight titles since 2005. But he has also taken his success to Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Last year he cemented his position in tennis history winning Olympic gold in Beijing.

Andy Roddick (USA) – If you’ve got a wicked forehand and devastating serve, play as Roddick in Grand Slam Tennis. Roddick won the 2003 U.S. Open and finished the year number one in the world. Since his breakthrough win, he made two Wimbledon finals and returned to the U.S. Open finals in 2006.

Novak Djokovic (SRB) – Dangerous on all surfaces, Djokovic is a perfect addition to the player line-up for Grand Slam Tennis. Just like on the ATP World Tour, he’ll be eager to mix up with Federer, Nadal and the other top guys. Djokovic became the first Serbian player to win a Grand Slam title and he did it at the age of just 20.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) – Not just one of the rising stars in the sport with a huge game, Tsonga is a character with an exuberant personality. Last year he broke through with a finals appearance at the Australian Open.

Serena Williams (USA) – The ladies are headlined by Serena Williams, who appears on the North American cover along with McEnroe and Federer. Serena becomes the first woman to appear on the cover of an EA SPORTS simulation product. With a solid all-around game and a personality and style all her own, she’ll be a popular figure in this game for the women and men.

Maria Sharapova (RUS) – Grand Slam Tennis won’t be short in style and personality with Maria Sharapova also representing the women in this game. The Russian is 3-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one.

Ana Ivanovic (SRB) – Compatriot Novak Djokovic isn’t the only Serbian star featured in Grand Slam Tennis. Last year Ivanovic won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open and rose to number one in the world.

Andy Murray (GBR) – With Federer, Nadal and Djokovic already confirmed for Grand Slam Tennis, we round out the current “Big 4” with rising star Andy Murray. With a game that exclusively features Wimbledon, Murray is an ideal fit as he’s sure to electrify the home crowds.

Chris Evert (USA) – America’s tennis darling in the 70s and 80s is another headlining legend in Grand Slam Tennis. Would you take up the challenge to replicate her mind-boggling 125 match winning streak on clay? It spanned almost 6 years from 1973 to 1979. Evert retired in 1989 with 18 Grand Slam titles.

Martina Navratilova (USA) – Replay a classic tennis rivalry with Navratilova versus Evert. The two met 77 times in their careers, making up one of the most epic rivalries in tennis history. Navratilova retired from singles competition in 1994 but played doubles into her 50s! Like Evert, she holds 18 Grand Slam titles and a record nine from Wimbledon.

Pat Cash (AUS) – The Aussie who made the checkered sweatband famous is pulling double duty in Grand Slam Tennis, appearing as not just a player but as a commentator as well. Now you can relive Cash’s Wimbledon triumph from 1987 in the game.

Justine Henin (BEL) – One of the greatest player of her generation retired early and still in her prime but you can play as or against the Belgian in Grand Slam Tennis. Dominate at Roland Garros just as Henin did, winning four straight titles on the clay in Paris.

Michael Stich (GER) – The late 80s and early 90s were a great time for German tennis and part of that was thanks to 1991 Wimbledon champion Michael Stich. Perhaps he is best known for teaming up with John McEnroe and winning the 1992 Wimbledon doubles title in a marathon 5-set match that lasted five hours.

Lindsay Davenport (USA) – Can you strike the ball as crisply and cleanly as 3-time Grand Slam champion Davenport? Known as one of the best and purest ball strikers in tennis history, the American, finished number one in the world for four years and earned more than $22-million in prize money.

Kei Nishikori (JPN) – The teenager Nishikori has celebrity status in Japan and has already been touted as a future top-5 player by Radael Nadal. Last year he received the "Newcomer of the Year" award, which was voted on by all the players on the ATP Tour.

Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) – Play as the fiery Aussie and fist pump your way to a Wimbledon and U.S. Open title as Hewitt did. If the competitive, counter punching style appeals to you, the former world number one is in-game pro for you.

Venus Williams (USA) – Can you dominate on the grass of Centre Court like 5-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams? She joins her sister Serena in the all-star player line-up for EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis. Venus has also won a pair of U.S. Open titles.

There you have it; 23 players that make up the roster for EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis. With a combined 135 Grand Slam titles and 50 Wimbledon titles, this just may be the greatest and most accomplished group of players for any tennis videogame.