All-star field for WTT Smash Hits in London
November 7, 2014
New York, N.Y. — The field is set for Mylan WTT Smash Hits presented by Walgreens and AmerisourceBergen, with Martina Hingis, Heather Watson and Greg Rusedski joining a lineup that also includes Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, Kim Clijsters, Sabine Lisicki and Tim Henman. The event, which benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation and is co-hosted by Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King, will be held Sunday, December 7 during the final session of the Statoil Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall.
Hingis, a former world No. 1 in singles and doubles, is playing in only her second Mylan WTT Smash Hits event but she is very familiar and successful in the WTT format. Hingis is a member of the Washington Kastles, the Mylan World TeamTennis professional team based in Washington, D.C., and was named the League MVP in 2012 and 2013. She also led the Kastles to their fourth consecutive Mylan WTT title this past summer, earning Finals MVP honors.
This will be the first Smash Hits appearance for Rusedski and Britain’s top-ranked woman Watson. Currently ranked world No. 50, Watson has won one WTA singles title and three Tour level doubles crowns. Rusedski, who reached a career high ranking of No. 4 in singles, won 15 ATP singles titles and was runner-up at the 1997 US Open.
The players will form two teams, coached and selected by King and John, and will play a Mylan World TeamTennis match. The one-night event will be held during the final session of the IMG-owned and staged Statoil Masters Tennis tournament.
Since 1993, Mylan WTT Smash Hits has raised more than $12 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and various local AIDS charities throughout the United States. This is the first time in the event’s 22-year history that it will be staged outside the U.S.
Tennis action is set for 6:00 p.m. and Team Elton has the edge in the overall series 11-10 after defeating Team Billie Jean in Orlando, Fla., in 2013.
Tickets are available from £18.50 through WTTSmashHits.com, statoilmasterstennis.com or through the Royal Albert Hall Box Office on +44 (0) 20 7070 4404.
Sponsorship and Group VIP packages are also available by contacting Natalee Jarrett at [email protected] or 212-586-3444 x. 111.
For more information on Mylan WTT Smash Hits, visit WTTSmashHits.com.
For more information about the Statoil Masters Tennis tournament, go to: statoilmasterstennis.com.
For more information on the Elton John AIDS Foundation and how you can help create an AIDS-free future, go to ejaf.org/London. Elton John AIDS Foundation is a registered UK charity – No. 1017336