News from WTT
Published on December 18, 2008 under World TeamTennis (WTT) News Release
Elton, BJK & friends raise $400k for charity at Advanta WTT Smash Hits
The economy may be in rough shape, but you couldn't tell it by the generosity of the fans and sponsors of the 2008 Advanta WTT Smash Hits. Long-time pals Elton John and Billie Jean King teamed up for their 16th annual charity event in Kennesaw, Ga., this October to raise $400,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund. Long-time Smash Hits supporters Andy Roddick, Anna Kournikova and Martina Navratilova were joined by newcomers Jesse Levine and Melanie Oudin for an entertaining and very competitive afternoon of tennis. Watch the highlights on Tennis Channel on December 25 (10:30 am EST).
BUZZ WIN! BUZZ WIN!
The "buzz" in the WTT Pro League this summer was all about the New York Buzz. The unheralded team from Albany, N.Y., surprised the regular season powerhouse Kansas City Explorers to win their first WTT title. The Explorers were heavily favored after posting a 13-1 regular season record and dispatching the 2007 champion Sacramento Capitals in the semifinals.
The Buzz ousted the New York Sportimes in the other semifinal and continued their run in the Championship Match, outlasting the Explorers 21-18. It was the 4th appearance for the Buzz in the WTT Championship Finals. The team, coached by Jay Udwadia, included Patrick Briaud, Gabriela Navratilova, Nathan Healey and Yaroslava Shvedova.
ANDY SAID HE'LL DO WHAT???
While auctioning off a tennis lesson with Andy Roddick during the pre-match reception at Advanta WTT Smash Hits, the auctioneer joked that Andy would take off his shirt for the lesson. That moved the bid up to $12,000. Roddick laughed when the auction item became a "full monty" and sold for $15,000. Newspapers and blogs all over the world picked up the story and it took on a life of its own. Fortunately Andy has a great sense of humor and took to his own blog to remind people that he was JUST KIDDING!
CHAMPIONS IN LIFE
Tennis players are some of the most charitable athletes around and you don't have to look any further than the lineup for the 2008 Advanta WTT Smash Hits to see some of the most generous. All the Smash Hits players - Anna Kournikova, Andy Roddick, Martina Navratilova, Jesse Levine, Melanie Oudin (pictured) - donated their time, talents and more to the annual charity event. Jesse Levine filled in with just a few days notice en route to the ATP Masters event in Spain. Levine and Roddick had to scramble after the match to catch an international flight from Atlanta. Martina Navratilova donated one of her paintings which Roddick bought during the pre-event auction. Top US junior and Marietta, Ga., resident Melanie Oudin relished her first Smash Hits experience. The 17-year-old did a number of pre-event interviews including an early 7 am appearance on the TV morning program, "Good Day Atlanta".
The giving didn't stop with Smash Hits. Bob & Mike Bryan (Kansas City Explorers) hosted their first charity event for the Bryan Brothers Foundation . . . Anna Kournikova (St. Louis Aces) went on an USO Tour to Guam to visit soldiers and their families . . . Andy Roddick (Advanta WTT Smash Hits) held another successful charity event for the Andy Roddick Foundation.
The Washington Kastles were a big hit in their inaugural season, providing more than $110,000 in cash and donated goods including tickets, racquets and merchandise to local charities, youth groups and children.
140,000 and counting!!! That's how many FREE junior tennis racquets that WTT's presenting sponsor Advanta has given out as part of their "Ready, Set, Racquet!" campaign since 2003. Advanta continued the program in 2008, distributing free racquets to kids age 4-16 at every WTT match.
Tennis needs ambassadors at all levels and when it comes to galvanizing efforts at the recreational level, Orly Mayron and Ann Bent of Boca Raton, Fla., are two of the best. Not only do these League Directors run successful Recreational League and Corporate League WTT programs, but this year they added a WTT wheelchair tournament to the mix. For their efforts with WTT to grow the game in Broward and south Palm Beach counties and reach beyond the traditional WTT Rec League, they were honored with the Delaine Mast Award at the 2008 WTT Nationals.
A BUSY YEAR FOR BJK
Billie Jean King isn't known for taking it slow, but 2008 was a particularly busy year. From national commercials (NutriSystem, GEICO and Merrill Lynch) to closing out the year at the WTA Championships in Dubai where she was named UNESCO Global Mentor for Gender Equality, it was a very busy 12 months for the King. BJK's year was highlighted by the release of her first book in 20 years, "Pressure is A Privilege". The book is a great gift for the holidays or any time of the year.
2009: LOOKING AHEAD
FEBRUARY: 2/27-3/1 -- Rec National Qualifier - Bradenton, Fla. early Feb. -- WTT Pro League Marquee Players announced
MARCH: 3/2 -- Tennis Night in America / BJK Cup (Madison Sq. Garden)
3/31 -- WTT Player Draft - Miami, Fla.
APRIL: 4/16-18 -- USTA National Campus Championship - Surprise, Ariz.
4/17-19 -- Rec National Qualifier - Las Vegas, Nev.
4/17-19 -- Rec Open Division Nationals - Las Vegas, Nev.
JULY: 7/2-22 -- WTT Pro League Regular Season
7/24-26 -- WTT Championship Weekend - location TBD
7/17-19 -- Rec National Qualifier - Kansas City, Mo.
AUGUST: Date TBD -- WTT Junior Nationals - San Diego, Calif.
Date TBD -- X TeamTennis High School Championships - TBD
8/28-30 -- Rec National Qualifier - Raleigh, N.C.
SEPTEMBER: 9/25-27 -- Rec National Qualifier - Irvine, Calif.
TBD -- Rec National Qualifier - East Coast location TBD
OCTOBER: Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 -- WTT Rec Nationals - Indian Wells, Calif.
World TeamTennis Stories from December 18, 2008
- News from WTT - WTT
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