News

Boulder, CO — Babolat, one of the leading manufacturers of tennis products, announces the company is sponsoring a special event to support star Babolat player Andy Roddick. Benefiting The Andy Roddick Foundation, Rock-n-Racquets features the world’s most exciting tennis players in a special exhibition.

Louisville, KY, Columbia, SC, and Knoxville, TN, play hosts to the sports world’s elite superstars in this annual tennis exhibition. Andy Roddick (Current world #6) and 2008 US Open Champion Serena Williams (Nine Grand Slam Titles) will team up on court together in Rock-n-Racquets. America’s #1 players will be joined by up and coming American star John Isner and the WTA Tour’s newest sensation Team Babolat Caroline Wozniacki, currently #12 in the world rankings. The synergy of athleticism and music throughout the line-up provides fans with the ultimate sports/entertainment experience.

Rock-n-Racquets successfully debuted in 2002 in Miami, FL and was followed by additional exhibitions in Little Rock, AR, Mobile, AL, Boise, ID, Wichita, KS and Omaha, NE. “From the start, I wanted an event that showcased my passion for tennis, music and the Andy Roddick Foundation, so we created Rock-n-Racquets,” said Roddick. “And thanks to Babolat for supporting these events in cities where the tennis community and participation is so strong.”

Susan DiBiase, Director of Marketing for Babolat commented, “Babolat has been an on-going sponsor and supporter of the Andy Roddick Foundation for many years. We feel strongly about supporting our players and the causes they care about – we’re excited to be a part of Rock-n-Racquets.” Andy Roddick started playing with Babolat racquets and strings when he was just a junior, winning tournament after tournament on his way up in the rankings, eventually reaching the world No. 1 spot. “As with all of our Babolat players, we work closely with Andy to find the right products to suit his game,” explains DiBiase. “In fact, we collaborated on Andy Roddick signature gear including the Propulse tennis shoes and the Babolat Pure Drive Roddick racquet.”

Showcasing the best in men’s and women’s professional tennis, the Rock-n-Racquets format consists of three components:

Schedule:

Louisville, KY: Friday, December 12, 7pm at Freedom Hall

Columbia, SC: Saturday, December 13, 7pm at Colonial Life Arena

Knoxville, TN: Sunday, December 14, 7pm at Thompson-Boling Arena

For additional information, please visit www.rocknracquets.com.

ABOUT THE ANDY RODDICK FOUNDATION

In 2001 Andy Roddick began the Andy Roddick Foundation (ARF), a charity dedicated to “Helping Children Today for Tomorrow.” The goal of the Andy Roddick Foundation is to improve the quality of life and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all children based on the principles of respect for family, education and morality. All benefiting organizations aid in the development of at-risk children and families, including those that have been abused and neglected. Andy’s foundation has targeted children’s programs like Kids in Distress, A Safe Haven for Newborns, Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center of South Florida, Sun-Sentinel’s Children’s Fund, Here’s Help, Settlement Home and Austin Children’s Hospital.

ABOUT BEST

BEST (Blue Entertainment Sports Television) is a unified full-service sports and entertainment company. Current clients include musicians Janet Jackson, Ciara and Chamillionaire, Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, NFL Pro Bowlers DeAngelo Hall and Will Smith, 2008 first round NFL draft picks, Glenn Dorsey and Chris Johnson, NBA All-Stars Shawn Marion and Rasheed Wallace, 2007 NBA Lottery picks Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer, 2008 NBA first round pick rookie Donté Green, Australian, French and US Open Champion Justine Henin, US Open Champion Andy Roddick, No. 1 doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan, MMA star Fedor Emelianenko, Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean, Arkansas basketball coach John Pelphrey and Ole Miss basketball coach Andy Kennedy. Media & Event properties include the US Open Tennis Championship, the French Open Tennis Championship, the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, numerous US-based ATP tournaments, Rock ’n Racquets, Hoop It Up, Let It Fly, Kick It, the Boston Marathon, the Superstars Competition, the AVP Beach Volleyball tour, Ice Wars, the World Cup of Softball, The Hartford Hall of Fame Showcase, the Men’s and Women’s Fifth Third Bank Tennis Championships and the Men’s Ford Tennis Championship. www.experienceBEST.com

ABOUT BABOLAT

Founded in Lyon, France, in 1875, Babolat is the first company to have specialized in racquet sports and the world leader in the production of natural gut strings. Easily recognized by its trademark “double-line” (two stripes on the racquet frame and black on the stringing bed), Babolat is still family-owned. Today, with U.S. operations in Boulder, Colorado, the company also manufactures synthetic strings, shoes, and a full range of accessories as well as a best-selling line of racquets used by some of the most renowned names in tennis. To find out where Babolat products are sold, log on to www.babolat.com or call (877) 316-9435.