WTT AIDS Tennis Event

This afternoon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at The Pavilion at Villanova University, Sir Elton John and Billy Jean King held up football practice so their helicopter could land on the nearby field. Their gold Lincoln Navigators escorted them to the WTT AIDS Tennis Event just around the corner where they met up with their teams.

Hanging courtside for interviews and to watch American John Isner and Davis Cup captain Pat McEnroe warm up, Andy the Elton caught up and relaxed before all of the festivities began. First were the team interviews with the media, and then the auction, which had priceless silent and live auction items that earned a tremendous amount to help the Philadelphia area AIDS programs. At 7pm, the on-court entertainment began. Each match was played in the same format as a regular tennis match, but instead of scoring 15,30,40-game, they scored it as the first to four won (no two point lead necessary). From there it was the first to win five games to take the set, and it came down to the last point of the last game in the last set to determine who the winners were (thanks to Andy!).

The first set was Andy and Elton against Lindsay Davenport and Anna Kournikova, which Andy and Elton won. The second set was the Men’s Doubles, with Luke Jensen and Andy representing Team BJK and John Isner and Pat McEnroe representing Team Elton. Team BJK came out victorious again, 5-3, and it seemed that defeat of Team Elton was once again inevitable. Lindsay Davenport, however, thought differently and defeated 17-year-old Delaware sensation Madison Brengle in straight games, 5-0. Mixed Doubles stepped up to the baseline with Morariu (more-are-ree-you) and Andy facing off against Davenport and Isner. The on-court wit and antics of our infamously famous, crowd-pleasing host kept everyone laughing and involved in every point. “We love you, Andy” was heard from the top bleachers, but was shortly followed by a “We love you, Johnny” and an excited “Yes!” accompanied by a fist-pump from Isner in retaliation for Roddick-fan domination. It was quite a scene!

Isner and partner Davenport went on to take that set as well, 5-2, making it two sets a piece going into the Men’s Singles event. Then we found ourselves in a rematch from the Legg Mason final, with the hardest (and tallest) servers on tour whacking it out, and there was not much returning taking place here. Andy was able to take that set 5-2, but then found himself in a tie-breaker (total team points determine the winner, and was currently at 19-17). After getting very serious, like it was the finals again, Andy held easily with his weapon of a serve. Isner tried do the same, but Andy returned well and fought like the champ he is.

It came down to 3-3 in the tie-breaker, Isner about to let lose his second serve as the first was long, to either give the whole match to Team Elton or take it into a super-tie breaker for Team BJK. Though his strength and stealthy strategy brought him back five games, an unreturnable bomb came off Isner’s racquet and Andy screamed in upset, though Sir Elton John jumped for joy as it was his first time winning this event in years!

Stay tuned for more details, photos, and video clips on Andy’s contributions to the cause throughout the night. Now Andy and Elton are resting up before Austin’s anticipated event of the year is just around the corner.