|  | | | | Serena to play WTT Smash Hits | |  |
10/19/2009WORLD NO. 1 SERENA WILLIAMS TO PLAY WTT SMASH HITS IN BATON ROUGE
2009 NCAA singles champ Devin Britton joins field
New York, N.Y. (October 19, 2009) --- Serena Williams is bringing her top-ranked game to Baton Rouge.
Williams, who reclaimed the number one world ranking two weeks ago, will play in WTT Smash Hits, a charity event co-hosted by Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King, on Dec. 8 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the Louisiana State University Campus. Event officials also announced the addition of rising U.S. standout Devin Britton, who captured the 2009 NCAA singles title as a freshman at the University of Mississippi.
Williams and Britton join an all-star lineup that includes Andy Roddick, Lindsay Davenport, Anna Kournikova, Tommy Haas, Liezel Huber and local favorite Chanda Rubin of Lafayette, La. The 17th annual WTT Smash Hits is a charity tennis event that raises funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and Baton Rouge area AIDS charities.
Williams has won eleven career singles Grand Slam singles titles including two in 2009, the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Last month, she won her 10th Grand Slam doubles championship, capturing the 2009 US Open title with her sister Venus Williams. Williams, a two-time Olympic Gold medalist in doubles, recently released a new book “On The Line”.
Britton, a native of Brandon, Miss., is considered one of the bright young stars on the American tennis scene. Earlier this year at age 18, Britton became the first freshman since 1996 and the youngest player ever to win the NCAA men’s singles title. The former Ole Miss star was the first player in school history to win the NCAA men’s singles championship. Britton turned pro in July 2009.
Captained by King and John, the Smash Hits players will form two teams and play the World TeamTennis format. John will also participate in a celebrity doubles match to open the event. Haas and Roddick are expected to face off in the evening’s men’s singles showdown.
Smash Hits has raised more than $9 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and various local AIDS charities since 1993. This year’s event, presented by the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation and hosted by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, will benefit EJAF and AIDS charities serving the Greater Baton Rouge area.
For more information on Advanta WTT Smash Hits, visit www.WTT.com/SmashHits.
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About Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF):
The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) was established in the United States in 1992 (EJAF-US) and in the United Kingdom in 1993 (EJAF-UK) by founder and chairman Sir Elton John. Together, both entities have raised over $150 million to support HIV/AIDS prevention and service programs in 55 countries around the globe since inception. Today, EJAF is one of the world's leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. EJAF-US’s current grant-making priorities target HIV prevention programs in the Southern United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America; HIV prevention and care services for highly marginalized and vulnerable populations; and HIV/AIDS prevention education and the promotion of sexual health for adolescents. For more information, please visit http://www.ejaf.org/.
About World TeamTennis (WTT):
World TeamTennis (WTT) showcases both the best in professional and recreational team tennis. In the Advanta WTT Pro League, co-founded by Billie Jean King, the biggest names in the world play using the innovative co-ed team format. The Advanta WTT Recreational League also operates co-ed team leagues and events. The United States Tennis Association is a minority owner and promotional partner of World TeamTennis. For more information, visit www.WTT.com.
About Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation (www.penningtonfamilyfoundation.org/):
During their lives, Claude B. “Doc” Pennington and his wife, Irene Wells Pennington were noted philanthropists and volunteers. In 1982, their private family foundation, the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation, was established to share their success with the community that had been an important part of their lives.
The Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation provides philanthropic support through organizations who promote the overall well-being of families and communities. Much of the Foundation’s support is given to nonprofits and agencies that provide direct service to people in need, from disadvantaged youth to the medically underserved.
The Foundation’s giving primarily focuses on the organizations and agencies within or near the Greater Baton Rouge area and surrounding parishes. This includes East and West Baton Rouge, East and West Feliciana, Ascension, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and Iberville Parishes. For more information, visit www.penningtonfamilyfoundation.org.
About Baton Rouge Area Foundation (www.BRAF.org):
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation provides two essential functions for the capital region. One, the Foundation connects philanthropists with capable nonprofits to make sure the needs of our communities are met. Last year, the Foundation and its donors provided $18.8 million in charitable grants across the region – and the world. Two, the Foundation invests in and manages pivotal projects that improve the quality of life. Our Plan Baton Rouge initiative spearheaded the downtown revitalization plan and now is working to revive Old South Baton Rouge. Our Interstate 10/12 corridor project is linking the economies of 12 parishes in new ways to create jobs and wealth. We are working with health care and education reform. For more information, visit BRAF.org.
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