Roddick and Kournikova slated for Advanta WTT
July 5, 2005 - World TeamTennis (WTT) News Release
NEW YORK, NY (July 5, 2005) --- Tennis superstars Andy Roddick and Anna Kournikova will join Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King for the 13th annual Advanta WTT Smash Hits presented by The Hershey Company, on November 7, 2005, at the GIANT Center.
Reserved seat tickets for the event are priced from $40 to $100 and go on sale Wednesday, July 6 at the GIANT Center box office and all Ticketmaster ticket centers, including Hecht's and Boscovs in Harrisburg. Tickets also can be purchased via phone by calling 717.260.2000 or online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. For ticket information, call the GIANT Center box office at 717.534.3911.
The event, a special night of tennis is hosted by long-time friends John and King and will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the National AIDS Fund. Additionally a portion of the event's proceeds will benefit the Greater Harrisburg AIDS Fund. More players will be announced in the coming months.
"If last year's event in Irvine, California, is any indication, Hershey tennis fans are in for a treat with Andy and Anna," said Billie Jean King. "Everyone involved in Smash Hits is committed to providing an entertaining evening of tennis for the fans and these two players are some of the best. We are looking forward to our first visit to Hershey and anxious to help the Greater Harrisburg AIDS Fund in their effort to promote AIDS awareness and education."
The Hershey event will be Roddick's second appearance in Smash Hits. Consistently ranked among the top tennis players in the world, Roddick has captured 18 titles, including the 2003 U.S. Open, since turning professional in 2000. In 2005, he has won titles at Houston, London/Queen's Club and San Jose. He reached the finals at Wimbledon this past weekend where he lost to Roger Federer.
Kournikova will be making her third appearance at Smash Hits. Winner of 16 career doubles titles, including two Grand Slam doubles titles, Kournikova continues to be one of the most popular and marketable women's tennis players. For the third consecutive year she is also playing in the World TeamTennis Pro League, this year with the Sacramento Capitals.
Five sets of tennis, using the World TeamTennis (WTT) format, will be played. Several top players on the men's and women's professional tennis tours will compete in men's singles, men's doubles, women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. The players will form two teams, with one team captained by Sir Elton John and the other by Billie Jean King. John and King also plan to participate in a celebrity doubles event to open the evening.
In addition to the night of tennis, a special VIP event and auction will be held prior to the start of the tennis action. Now in its 13th year, Advanta WTT Smash Hits has raised more than $7 million to help in the fight against HIV and AIDS around the globe.
Established in 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation is an international non-profit organization funding prevention education and direct patient care services for men, women and children living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS. From 1992-2004, the Foundation has funded more than 2,417 grants in North America. To date, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has distributed over $50 million to fund HIV/AIDS programs around the world. Since its inception, Smash Hits has raised more than $5 million for the Foundation. Smash Hits is sponsored by Advanta and presented by The Hershey Company.
For additional information, please visit the Elton John AIDS Foundation at www.ejaf.org and World TeamTennis at www.wtt.com.
About Advanta: Advanta focuses on the small business market and related community, providing funding and support to the nation's small businesses and business professionals through innovative products and services. Advanta is one of the nation's largest issuers (through Advanta Bank Corp.) of MasterCard business credit cards to small businesses. Since 1951, Advanta has pioneered many of the marketing techniques common in the financial services industry today, including remote lending and direct mail, affinity and relationship marketing. Advanta is a long-time supporter of the tennis community and youth fitness activities. In addition to their involvement with WTT and the "Ready, Set, Racquet" program, which provides free racquets to children, Advanta sponsors the Advanta Championships, a WTA Tour event in Philadelphia. Advanta continues to be involved in numerous tennis charities including Advanta WTT Smash Hits, Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education, and Philadelphia Wheelchair Tennis programs.
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