This Week In Andy History: Charity in Austin

A brand new feature on AR.com for you to look forward to is our dip into the past. In the coming weeks, we will be revisiting some of Andy’s history on and off the court. So lights off as we roll out the projector and reminisce about the life of Andy Roddick, so far!

This week of 2005, was a big week for the Andy Roddick Foundation. Andy and his Foundation hosted the ‘Champions for Charity’ event in Austin, Texas. Joining Andy was living legend, Elton John. Other celebrities included Country singer, Pam Tillis, and Olympic Gold Medallist in ice skating, Sarah Hughes. The evening’s festivities included cocktails, an intimate dinner and auction, and a solo performance by Sir Elton John that was held in the Four Seasons Ballroom for just 400 guests and billed as the “hottest ticket in Texas.”

The sell out event helped to raise over $800,000 for the Foundation. The proceeds benefited local children in need including The Settlement Home, Austin Children’s Hospital and A Glimmer of Hope Foundation.

Now, allow yourself a few more strides down memory lane as we stroll back to 2002. This week, four years ago, saw Andy lift the Men’s Clay Court Championships trophy for a second year in a row. En route to success in Houston, Andy overcame former French Open finalist, Guillermo Coria, and in the in the final, Andy defeated his idol and fourteen times Grand Slam winner, Pete Sampras – an impressive week for the then, nineteen year old. After his victory over Sampras Andy gushed,

“And to actually—you know, it was fun to kind of live out a boyhood dream of playing against Pete in a final. I mean, I never thought that was going to happen when I was growing up.”

Stay tuned to AndyRoddick.com for our weekly flashbacks!