Kennesaw, Ga., (October 12, 2008) – Sir Elton John
knows how to get Andy Roddick fired up on the tennis court. Before
Sunday’s Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at Kennesaw State University,
cohost Elton John joked that Andy Roddick hasn’t been on a winning
Smash Hits team in years.
Roddick responded to the challenge from his team
coach, winning three sets to lead Team Elton John to a 23-16 victory
over Team Billie Jean at the 16
th
annual Advanta WTT Smash Hits at Kennesaw State University. With the
win, Elton John evened the series with Billie Jean King at eight
wins apiece.
The annual charity event, hosted by Billie Jean King
and Sir Elton John, raised more than $400,000 for the Elton John
AIDS Foundation and Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund.
John kicked off the tennis action teaming with
Roddick to win a battle of the sexes match against Anna Kournikova
and Martina Navratilova. The music superstar and avid tennis fan hit
several winners, showcasing a formidable forehand.
Team Elton got off to an early lead in the first set
of mixed doubles as Kournikova and Roddick edged Navratilova and
Jesse Levine in a tight match 5-4 (3). Roddick outgunned Levine in
two sets of men’s singles 5-2, 5-1. Team Billie Jean rallied in the
second set of mixed doubles when Navratilova and Levine outlasted
Roddick and top American junior Melanie Oudin, 5-3.
At 17, Oudin is 34 years younger than the timeless
Navratilova. But the Marietta, Ga., teen shook off the nerves and
was impressive in singles. Navratilova hit several drop shot winners
which prompted Oudin to laugh and yell across the net “haven’t got
one yet have I?” On the next point, Oudin hit a drop shot out of
Martina’s reach to the delight of her hometown crowd.
She closed out the game with an ace to take a 4-2
lead. Navratilova put on a shot-making clinic in the next two games
to take the final set to a nine-point tiebreaker before Oudin closed
out the set 5-4 to grab the match victory for Team Elton with a
forehand winner.
For Oudin the afternoon was memorable experience,
playing a legend in front of family and friends. “It was a great
experience getting to play her, win or lose” said Oudin.
At a pre-match reception, more than $171,000 of the
event’s total was raised as King, John and the players participated
in a live auction. The top auction items were two Wimbledon packages
with Billie Jean King’s personal Center Court seats which sold for
$21,000 each. Other top draws were John’s autographed piano bench
and a Super Bowl package. Roddick wrapped up the auction with a
winning $17,000 bid for artwork created by Martina Navratilova.
The VIP reception was co-chaired by civic
leaders Dr. Bobbie Bailey, Charlie Hendon, and Sacha Taylor.
John’s part-time hometown turned out to support his
annual charity event and help raise funds for HIV/AIDS programs in
the South. During a pre-match press conference, John talked about
how much the Atlanta community has supported him since moving here
17 years ago and he emphasized the importance of community support
for AIDS programs especially during tough economic times.
FINAL RESULTS – 2008 Advanta WTT Smash Hits –
Kennesaw, Ga.
Celebrity Battle of the Sexes: Elton John/Andy
Roddick def. Anna Kournikova/Martina Navratilova 3-1
(Celebrity match does not count towards overall
score)
FINAL SCORE: Team Elton John def. Team Billie Jean
23-16
MIXED DOUBLES:
Anna
Kournikova/Andy Roddick (Team Elton) def.
Martina Navratilova/Jesse Levine 5-4 (3)
MEN’S SINGLES (2 sets):Andy Roddick def. Jesse
Levine 5-2, 5-1
MIXED DOUBLES: Martina Navratilova/Jesse Levine
def. Melanie Oudin/Andy Roddick 5-3
WOMEN’S SINGLES: Melanie Oudin (Team Elton) def. Martina
Navratilova (Team Billie Jean) 5-4 (1)
