Andy’s Fun-filled Day Of Giving

Putting smiles on the faces of children…raising money for worthy causes….promoting the great game of tennis

Andy Roddick and Jim Courier clearly share these passions. Jim has displayed this by participating in Andy’s annual Foundation weekend the past three years. In fact, last year, although Jim was sidelined with a serious injury, he did not hesitate to come to Boca just to serve as the official chair umpire. Those who were there were treated to a very entertaining running commentary by the four-time Grand Slam Champion.

This past Tuesday, Andy returned the favor. Jim held his inaugural Foundation extravaganza in St. Petersburg, and Andy was there every step of the way.

I picked Andy up from his Miami hotel at Noon on Tuesday. At Miami Airport we met up with James Blake, Andy’s opponent for the evening exhibition, and others associated with the event. We took a small private jet over to St. Petersburg, Florida, and by 2 PM, we were at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center for the first event of the day. Jim organized a clinic for local kids, and the turnout was impressive. Hundreds of kids with racquets ready to take on the US Open Champion. Ten-year old Danielle Collins stole the show as she ran Andy all over the court with killer forehands and backhands, and then teamed up with Andy for some exciting doubles. Remember that name.

Following the clinic, we rode the van over to the St. Petersburg Forum where the exhibition was to be held. The event was called the Mercedes-Benz Classic, and the format was Team Courier vs. Team Seles. Both celebrity coaches were provided microphones to entertain the players and the crowd. Andy was on Team Seles, along with Cecil Karantencheva. Courier’s team consisted of James and Jennifer Capriati.

The girls opened play, and Capriati took out the 14 year-old Bulgarian phenom 8-4. Andy and James then thrilled the crowd with some very entertaining shotmaking. Unfortunately, at 5-6 Andy was broken and James held serve for an 8-5 victory. After the singles, there was a brief intermission in which Jim Courier was presented with a $315,000 check for his Foundation by Raymond James, one of the main sponsors. This was a complete surprise to Jim, and obviously, he was quite overwhelmed by the gesture. During that intermission, in the locker room, professional football placekickers and brothers Martin and Bill Grammatica came by to say hi to the guys. Coincidentally, Martin’s girlfriend was a friend of Andy’s from his days at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy.

The mixed doubles provided a very fun-filled end to the event. Jennifer and James took out Andy and Cecil 6-4, but several points brought the crowd to their feet. Team Courier defeated Team Seles, but as most charity events go, the real winners are the great causes that will benefit.

After signing several autographs the players exited the stadium, and soon it was off to the airport for the return trip. By 12:30, Andy and I were back at the hotel, and Doug was waiting to give Andy his daily treatment.

Just another day in the life of Andy Roddick!

Congratulations to Jim Courier and his event staff for running a real first-rate operation and raising so much money in the name of tennis and children.