Smash Hits Recap

The 14th Annual Advanta WTT Smash Hits was a Smashing Success! The evening’s festivities raised $350,000 to fight HIV and AIDS in Orange County and around the world. Joined courtside by Brother John Roddick, Andy (dressed in all black) did what he does best: play tennis, raise money for charity, and make people laugh!

The early highlight of the evening was the energetic play of Elton John who teamed with Andy Roddick for a battle of the sexes win over Rennae Stubbs and Anna Kournikova. Sir Elton John ripped a forehand winner on set point to win the celebrity doubles match in overtime, 5-4. Andy next teamed up with Anna Kournikova to take on Pete Sampras and Rennae Stubbs, but Stubbs got her revenge and defeated the duo 5-4. Playing on the original blocked color court of the WTT founded by Billie Jean King, the tennis stars participated in true WTT tennis format including playing let serves, which was not an easy transition for Pete when taking on Andy.

In between sets, Andy sat down with Sir Elton John for some friendly strategic planning and interviews with The Tennis Channel. “He’s got a great forehand,” Andy told his friends courtside of Sir Elton John’s impressive groundstrokes.

The tarp surrounding the court was only a little over three feet high, so patrons who sat behind the baseline wisely brought baseball gloves to block Andy’s serve. It was a clever move by the ticket holders, but Andy knew any pace near his record serve could be threatening to the fans. There was plenty of action without a 155 mph serve! Pistol Pete may be in retirement but he displayed champion form, defeating Andy 5-3, 5-3 in the men’s singles. Team Billie Jean King may have put up the most points on the scoreboard but the true winners of the evening was the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the AIDS Services Foundation Orange County.

At a reception held earlier in the evening, more than $184,000 of that total was raised as King, John and the players participated in a live auction. One patron paid 10,000 dollars to hit with Andy following the singles match, and another dished out 25,000 for Piano Signed by Elton John. John Roddick jokingly coached Andy during the post match hit, “Play to his forehand,” John laughed. Andy smiled as he cranked one into the deuce court.

Following a big congratulatory hug to Billie Jean King and Sir Elton John for a wildly successful event, the evening concluded as Andy and the other players headed to the locker-room. For additional information, please visit the Elton John AIDS Foundation at www.ejaf.org and World Team Tennis at www.wtt.com.