By Dustin Dow
Enquirer staff writer

Todd Woodbridge (left) and Mark Woodforde, former doubles partners, are known as "the Woodies," because of their last names. Enquirer file/ GARY LANDERS

MASON - Even though he's retired, the name "Woodie" still means something to Mark Woodforde, who plays tonight in the Western & Southern Financial Group Senior Championship.

Woodforde and former doubles partner Todd Woodbridge were one of the most successful doubles teams in history. Before Woodforde retired in 2000, the duo won 11 Grand Slam titles and 12 Tennis Masters Series titles, including four in Cincinnati, which made them the winningest team in the Open Era in Cincinnati.

The Australians were known as "the Woodies," an obvious play on their last names, and a term Woodforde still hears on occasion.

"I guess around Wimbledon time (fans) certainly remember me as one half of the Woodies," Woodforde said. "So hopefully they remember me in a positive way."

IF YOU GO

W&S Seniors Championship Today: Semifinals, 7 p.m. Tickets, $10 Saturday: Finals, 7 p.m. Tickets, $15 Tickets are available at www.cincytennis.com or 513-651-0303

Woodforde and Woodbridge won at Wimbledon six times, more than at any other Grand Slam event. And although doubles tennis is far less popular than singles, a nickname like "the Woodies," tends to stick.

"I'm shocked by it," Woodforde said. "I take it as a huge compliment. It's always nice if you're able to set an achievement for which you're remembered. That certainly was something that once we got going, we wanted to create that name for ourselves and set an extremely high standard."

Woodforde is playing in the mixed doubles senior tournament with Beth Herr, who was a doubles champion the last time women played professionally in Cincinnati. In 1988, Herr teamed with Candy Reynolds to win the Pringles Light Classic Doubles title. The WTA is returning to Cincinnati this year, Aug. 16-22, for the first time since then.

Herr and Woodforde will play Tom Gullikson and Tami Whitlinger at 7 tonight at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Following that match will be the team of Luke Jensen and Gigi Fernandez playing against Mansour Bahrami and Hana Mandlikova.

The winners of each match play in Saturday's final.

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com