Andy Off to Wichita

Following his thanksgiving feast, Andy is off to Wichita, Kansas to join Sam Querrey, Brenda Schultz-McCarthy and The Jensen brothers in a fundraiser exhibition at the Genesis Heath Club Saturday.

Ar.com caught up with Lindsay Hagan who has helped bring together this all star cast for a wonderful cause – the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation and Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis. Linsday gave us the rundown on this event, which she believes is 10 years in the making.

“The friendships leading to this weekend’s appearances are long-standing. The opportunity to include Andy came to fruition more recently, but without the six-year friendship between Brenda and Andy that began when she agreed to play in his inaugural charity tennis extravaganza in 2001, we may never have brought him to Wichita,” Lindsay explained.

Wichita is brimming with excitement that some of the best and certainly the most entertaining tennis pros will be taking center stage Saturday. ” The opportunity to bring the top American player and one of the best players in the world to Wichita was a no brainer,” Lindsay told ar.com. “It is unbelievable the buzz that is being generated around the event. Andy’s picture is literally everywhere and we have had requests from every media outlet in the area to interview Andy. The opportunity to see any professional tennis player in the area is difficult unless you are willing to travel a considerable distance. The fact that Andy Roddick, one of the best players in the world, will be in our backyard has made tennis fans from all over the region very excited.”

The City is so enthusiastic to have the participants of professional tennis in this charitable effort that they have planned a very special tribute to Andy. “To show the importance the event is having in the city, the Mayor of Wichita made a proclamation naming Saturday, November 25, 2006 officially Andy Roddick Day, and will make a presentation to him during the event,” Lindsay gave us the scoop.

If you are anywhere near Wichita, Kansas, start driving now, because you will not want to miss out on this action packed day at the Genesis Health Clubs.

“The day will begin with an instructional clinic at Noon with all of the players and a serving contest involving Andy, Brenda and some members of the audience. At 5:00 there will be a VIP reception that will include food, music, a silent and live auction, as well as a Q&A and autograph session with the players. The main event will begin at 7:00 and will include a mixed doubles match (L. Jensen/Schultz-McCarthy vs. M. Jensen/Zvereva) that will be one traditional set, a doubles match (Roddick/Querrey vs. Jensens) that will be an 8 game pro set, and then a singles match between Roddick and Querrey that will be the best of 3 sets, with a super tiebreaker for the third set (if necessary),” Lindsay broke-down the evenings festivities.

Andy will be in good company. In addition to the tennis participates, some special guests include the 2006 Miss Kansas , Michelle Walthers, who will sing the National Anthem, Xavier McDaniel, who is a former Wichita State All-American and NBA All-Star, and the Mayor of Wichita, Carlos Mayans.

During the main event there will also be a live band, trivia contests, giveaways, and much more. It is going to be a fantastic night of great tennis and great fun! If anyone is in the region and interested in attending, please call 316-755-SEAT or go to www.SelectASeat.com.