By Nicholas J. Walz, USTAFoundation.com
Take nine Grand Slam singles champions, throw in five more former Top 10 players and unite them for a worthy cause – that’s the USTA Foundation Pro-Am Tournament at the US Open.
The Pro-Am, in its 12th year, is an opportunity for amateurs and supporters to play with former pros and current celebrities in a round-robin format – all for the benefit of under-resourced youth, individuals with disabilities, and wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and their families.
“The Foundation is thrilled to have this kind of star power for our event, especially at the finest tennis tournament in the world – the US Open,” said Daniel Faber, Executive Director of the USTA Foundation. “We consider this a team event on the court, and also off of the court. Everyone involved is united to make sure that this sport can go a long way in changing lives of youth through tennis and education.”
Play begins on Friday at 8:30 a.m. ET. The teams will compete on Courts 10-17 during the day.
The roster of players participating in 2014 is as follows:
- Tracy Austin, Former World No. 1 and Three-Time Grand Slam Champion
- Mary Joe Fernandez, U.S. Fed Cup Captain, Former World No. 4 and ESPN Tennis Broadcaster
- Chanda Rubin, Former World No. 6 and Grand Slam Doubles Champion
- Mats Wilander, Former World No. 1 and Seven-Time Grand Slam Champion
- Pam Shriver, Grand Slam Doubles Champion and ESPN Tennis Broadcaster
- Martina Navratilova, Former World No. 1 and 28-time Grand Slam Champion
- Lindsay Davenport, Former World No. 1 and Three-Time Grand Slam Champion
- Henri Leconte, Former World No. 5 and Grand Slam Finalist
- Pat Cash, Former World No. 4 and Grand Slam Champion
- Michael Chang, Former World No. 2 and Grand Slam Champion
- Mark Philippoussis, Former World No. 8 and Grand Slam Finalist
- Jana Novotna, Former World No. 2 and Grand Slam Champion
- Iva Majoli, Former World No. 4 and Grand Slam Champion
- Boris Kodjoe, Actor, and Former Collegiate Tennis Player
- Shaun T, Motivational and Celebrity Fitness Trainer
The USTA Foundation has awarded more than $17 million in grants and scholarships to more than 270 programs, benefitting thousands of children and adults through tennis, education and health programming, primarily through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network and also through efforts to assist Military Heroes and individuals with disabilities.