2006 - THE YEAR FOR BILLIE JEAN KING
YEAR 2003:
Irvine, CA – The 14th Annual Advanta/World Team Tennis Smash Hits to benefit the Aids Services Foundation Orange County and the Elton John Aids Foundation returned to Orange County September 14. The event was held at the Bren Center on the Campus of UC Irvine, and was co –hosted by WTT founder and USTA National Tennis Center namesake Billie Jean King and music legend Sir Elton John. Playing a World Team Tennis format on teams captained by the hosts were tennis superstars Pete Sampras, Andy Roddick, Anna Kournikova and Rennae Stubbs.
Sir Elton John displayed his tennis prowess when he teamed up with Andy Roddick in an entertaining twist on mixed doubles against Anna Kournikova and Rennae Stubbs. Spectators behind the baseline were given baseball gloves to shag Roddick’s fast ball serves (for the few aces that the ladies allowed), but it was John’s forehand that did the most damage. The match was followed by mixed doubles with Roddick/Kournikova against the team of Sampras/Stubbs.
The feature match of the evening was a server’s dual between the 14 time Grand Slam champ Pete Sampras and 2006 U.S. Open runner-up Andy Roddick. Sampras showed he still had a wicked serve and volley combo, taking the two WTT format sets 5-3, 5-3, and secured a 10-15 victory for team Billie Jean King. This was Roddick’s last stop on his way to the United States Davis Cup match in Moscow against Russia this week. Sampras made his pro tennis comeback this summer, playing WTT for the Newport Beach Breakers, and has been a great supporter of WTT Smash Hits throughout his career.
The evening began with a VIP reception and live auction, which featured hot bidding for Billie Jean King’s 2007 U.S. Open and Wimbledon box seats and a signed Sir Elton John piano bench. Including the $184,000 netted from the auction, the event’s proceeds topped $350,000, which will go directly to community based AIDS support and prevention programs.
To learn more about the Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAS), the AIDS Service Foundation Orange County, or World Team Tennis pro or recreational leagues, visit the following websites:
Team Billie Jean King and Team Elton John
Anna Kournikova
Pete Sampras
Story By: Nancy Abrams
Photography By: Adam Davis
BILLIE JEAN KING RETURNS TO CAL STATE L.A. SEPTEMBER 30 TO SERVE STUDENTS
Los Angeles, CA – Tennis legend Billie Jean King will return to California State University, Los Angeles Saturday, Sept. 30, to demonstrate that—whether it’s tennis, fighting for equality or supporting student-athletes’ success at her alma mater—she serves with vigor and passion.
For the ninth straight year, Cal State L.A. will host “Billie Jean King and Friends Presenting the Joe Shapiro Award.” The day’s events include a morning tennis clinic and pro-am tournament on campus, lunch at the University Club, and a tribute di More…
Billie Jean King
