The USTA and AEG today announced that the USTA will launch its USA Tennis High Performance national training center within The Home Depot Center, AEG's 125-acre sports complex currently under construction in Carson, Calif.  The new center will be focused on the development of future champions, by bringing the nation's top elite players to train and compete with each other. The state-of-the-art training facility also will offer world class coaching education and sports science programs for the sport's top American prospects.  With its headquarters in Key Biscayne, Fla., USA Tennis High Performance will now have a significant presence in two of the sport's hotbed developmental markets - Southern California and Florida.

The Home Depot Center, on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills, in Carson, is scheduled for completion in June 2003.  It will feature a 13,000-seat tennis stadium and 18 new tennis courts. 
 
\"The USTA has elevated USA Tennis High Performance to one of our top strategic priorities,\" said Merv Heller, President, USTA, \"Our new training center on the West Coast is dedicated to the development of the next generation of American champions.\"

\"The new USA Tennis High Performance training center in Carson will be a destination for our brightest prospects to train and compete, with and against each other, under the guidance of the very best coaches,\" said Paul Annacone, Managing Director, USA Tennis High Performance.  \"The training center's world class facilities and world class coaching will provide elite players every opportunity to achieve their greatest potential.\"
 
The USA Tennis High Performance training center in Carson is the first manifestation of a recently announced partnership between the USTA and AEG - one of the world's leading sports, entertainment and facility management companies - aimed at jointly developing initiatives to develop the growth of tennis in the United States.

\"Our goal in partnering with AEG was to bring new resources and new opportunities to the sport,\" said Arlen Kantarian, Chief Executive, Professional Tennis, USTA.  \"This new training center represents the first outgrowth of this partnership, and we look forward to further initiatives with AEG that help grow the game.\" 

\"We are committed to the sport of tennis in this country, and this is the first step in our joint efforts with the USTA to pursue opportunities that take the game to new heights,\" said Timothy J. Leiweke, President, AEG.   \"The addition of the USA Tennis High Performance training center to The Home Depot Center makes this 'sports campus' the most complete facility of its kind - one that will develop world class athletes, host world-class events and positively change amateur and professional sports not just in southern California but also in the United States for years to come.  We look forward to working with the USTA and the USTA Southern California Tennis Association in an effort to provide the best facilities possible to these promising young players.\"

The SCTA has created one of the most successful junior development programs in the country, and will continue to play a lead role in growing the sport in the region.   

\"Southern California has produced many great tennis champions due in large part to the efforts and resources of the SCTA,\" said Rick Ferman, USTA Executive Director.  \"We look forward to working closely with the SCTA as we seek to develop world-class American tennis champions.\"

\"This is a wonderful opportunity for tennis - and for young people to be able to develop,\" said tennis legend Jack Kramer, who benefited from tennis as a youngster himself.  \"Southern California will now have two tremendous tennis centers to take care of our ever-expanding programs and activities.\"

USA Tennis High Performance is the USTA division charged with creating the optimal developmental environment for young United States players, supporting top prospects and helping them make the transition into the professional game.  It includes enhanced coaches education programs, top supplemental coaching, international junior competition and USTA Professional Circuit events.

The USTA owns and operates the US Open and selects and supports the teams that represent the United States in Davis Cup, Fed Cup and the Olympic Games.  The national governing body for the sport of tennis in the United States, the USTA is a not-for-profit organization with more than 660,000 members.  It invests all its resources to promote and develop the growth of tennis, from the grass roots to the professional levels.  For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com.

AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world.  AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation, owns or controls a collection of companies and facilities such as STAPLES Center, the London Arena, The Forum (as exclusive booking agent for sports and entertainment programming), and Kodak Theater (as operator); sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), six MLS franchises and six hockey franchises operated in Europe; AEG Marketing, a sponsorship, sales, naming rights and consulting company; Concerts West and Golden Voice, live entertainment promotion and touring companies.