The announcement was made today as Lleyton Hewitt battled in the ceremonial first “Top Spin” game against tennis legend and fellow Top Spin-featured athlete Michael Chang at the prestigious Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California.

A total of 16 of the world’s best tennis players will be featured in “Top Spin.” Other players announced today include:

• Tommy Robredo
• Jan-Michael Gambill
• Michael Chang
• Gustavo Kuerten
• Sebastian Grosjean
• James Blake
• Daniela Hantuchova
• Martina Hingis
• Barbara Schett
• Ashley Harkleroad
• Elena Dementieva
• Meghann Shaughnessy
• Amanda Coetzer

“Top Spin” challenges each player to master all the shots including slices, lobs, drops and spins while playing on various surfaces including clay, hard court and grass. In addition to the 16 licensed pros, gamers can also create their own tennis players to achieve superstardom complete with their own unique personalities.

“It is truly an honor to be selected by Microsoft Game Studios as a ‘Top Spin’ cover athlete,” said Hewitt. “The key to a great tennis game is allowing fans to feel what it’s like to be on the court and play against the world’s best. Microsoft has done it with ‘Top Spin.”

With Xbox Live, “Top Spin” is truly a global tennis experience. Players compete to climb worldwide ladders to achieve the much-coveted No. 1 online ranking. Along the way, “Top Spin” encourages players to take risks, try new shots and argue bad calls to beat their opponents. Just like on the real courts, players are searching for “the Zone,” where every forehand, backhand and overhead slam overpowers the individual on the other side of the net. Struggling players or those looking to perfect a part of their game can train with coaches to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

“This high-intensity tennis game has selected the world’s best tennis player as its cover athlete,” said Andrew Royal, product manager for “Top Spin.” “I think gamers and tennis fans all over the world will be treated to a tennis experience never before seen on any video game console.”