Stars and Celebrities to Attend Benefit Ball
September 8, 2010
NEW YORK, NY — While US Open action heats up on court for finals weekend, the tennis industry will go glam off the court at the star-studded Legends Ball, the premier social event of the US Open, which serves as a fundraiser for the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. Tennis legends, industry executives and VIPs, and celebrity tennis fans will gather to honor the heroes of the game and celebrate its history at the extraordinary event which will be hosted on Friday, September 10 at 6:30 pm at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
More than 20 tennis Hall of Famers will be in attendance including Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Pam Shriver, Gigi Fernandez, Mark Woodforde, Stan Smith, Ken Rosewall, Russ Adams, Butch Buchholz, Maria Bueno, Owen Davidson, Donald Dell, Jan Kodes, Brad Parks, Nancy Richey, Vic Seixas, Fred Stolle, and Tony Trabert. In addition, celebrity tennis fans including The Real Housewives of New York City cast members Ramona & Mario Singer and Miss Teen USA Kamie Crawford will attend. Honorary Co-Chairs attending include Stacey Allaster, Chairman & CEO, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour; Jean Gachassin, President, French Tennis Federation; Lucy S. Garvin, Chairman of the Board and President, United States Tennis Association; Tim Phillips, Chairman, All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club; and Phillip H. Scanlan AM, Consul General of Australia, New York. Former tennis star Vijay Armritraj will emcee the evening and LPGA champion Annika Sorenstam and Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe will present awards.
This special night of celebration will honor a host of tennis luminaries including Martina Navratilova, who will receive the Eugene L. Scott Award and the Hall of Fame Class of 2010 – which features the extraordinary doubles teams of Gigi Fernandez & Natasha Zvereva and Todd Woodbridge & Mark Woodforde; mixed doubles champion Owen Davidson; Derek Hardwick, an influential tennis administrator; and Brad Parks, the first ever wheelchair tennis inductee, who is also one of the pioneering founders of the wheelchair game. Mercedes-Benz will be presented with the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Award.
In addition to rubbing elbows with tennis legends and industry leaders, guests can bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences and unique items in a silent and live auction. More than 65 unique items will be on the block ranging from exclusive access at all four Grand Slams in 2011 to luxury Caribbean vacations, as well as unique opportunities such as hit sessions with tennis greats, celebrity meet and greets, tickets to major sporting events, autographed sports memorabilia and more. Auction items may be previewed online at: www.biddingforgood.com/tennisfameauction
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or to learn more about the event, call 212-843-1740, visit www.tennisfame.com or e-mail [email protected]. The mission of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, based in Newport, RI, is to preserve the history of tennis, inspire and encourage junior tennis development, enshrine tennis heroes and heroines and provide a landmark for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.
About the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum
Established in 1954, the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum is a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving the history of tennis, inspiring and encouraging junior tennis development, enshrining tennis heroes and heroines, and providing a landmark for tennis enthusiasts worldwide. The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum was recognized as the sport’s official Hall of Fame in 1986 by the International Tennis Federation, the governing body of tennis. The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum is supported by Official Partners, such as BNP Paribas. For information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum and its programs, call 401-849-3990 or visit us online at tennisfame.com.