The Liberty's Shameka Christon, Tiffany Jackson and Essence Carson signed autographs at the NBA Store in New York City.

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NEW YORK -- In 1997 the world's best female basketball players made history when they became the first to play in a women's professional basketball league in the U.S.

This season, a younger generation has the opportunity to break new ground. On Saturday, July 19, at the home of tennis' U.S. Open, Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, the New York Liberty will take on the Indiana Fever in the Liberty Outdoor Classic, the first ever outdoor WNBA game. At the NBA Store in New York on Thursday, the Liberty's Shameka Christon, Tiffany Jackson and Essence Carson signed autographs, met with fans and discussed the upcoming event.

"I am really excited about (playing outdoors)," Christon said. "I can go back to my kids, my grandkids... I can tell everybody, 'Hey, I played in the first outdoor men's or women's professional basketball game at Arthur Ashe Stadium.' "

The game will not only be the first ever outdoor professional game in the U.S., but also the first non-tennis sporting event played at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Think this already highly anticipated event can't get any better? A portion of the proceeds from the game will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

"Breast cancer survivors really inspire us, motivate us and remind us not to take anything for granted," said Jackson.

Fans know the game will benefit a good cause off the court, but they're also expecting to see a good game on it. New York has played Indiana twice this season. When the teams faced off in Indy, the Fever won 83-69. But when the Fever traveled to the Big Apple, the Liberty defeated the visitors 102-96 in a triple-overtime classic.

Carson believes that when the teams go head-to-head on a neutral court, where the conditions are unknown to both squads, Indiana will be looking for some revenge.

"You know they are going to come ready to play and we are going to come ready to play," explained the former Rutgers standout. "So it is going to be a good game to watch."

"Every summer (in college) I'd go back to Dallas and I'd play outside," says Tiffany Jackson. "So, I am ready."

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Adding to the intrigue, it's entirely possible that the weather will be a factor in next Saturday's game. Unlike the games at Madison Square Garden, the temperature will not be mechanically controlled and either wind or heat could potentially play a role in the teams' performances.

"The weather, that is the major difference," Carson recognized. "It is often really hot outside during the summer. Even the wind might be a big issue. Who knows? Maybe snow might fall in July."

While Indiana held an outdoor practice on Thursday to get accustomed to the possible conditions, New York has yet to make any amendments to its practice routine. As the Classic approaches, the Liberty players are confident that their coaches will properly prepare the team. And it is a good thing for that.

At the NBA Store event, Christon was asked when she last played in a serious outdoor game.

"I haven’t (played a game outside) probably since I first started playing ball when I was 14," she responded.

Fortunately she has sophomore Jackson on her side.

"Every summer (in college) I'd go back to Dallas and I'd play outside," Jackson said. "So, I am ready."

While the Liberty appear to be hyped and honored to make history and raise money for an important cause, when the sun goes down and the lights shine on the court, players and coaches will only have one thing on their minds.

"It is always going to be all about winning," Carson proclaimed. "Especially as a competitor, you want to win."