Chris Evert Tennis Tournament Returns To Delray Beach
By: Jack Rubin
Chris Evert’s Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic will return to Delray Beach from Nov. 3-5. First held in 1989, the tournament has been a smashing hit every year since, raising money for charities fighting drug abuse and child neglect in South Florida.
Last year, the tournament’s contributions to charity eclipsed $700,000. 2017 players include former tennis pro Martina Navratilova, Patrick McEnroe, Scott Foley, Robin Givens, Dr. Phil, David Cook, and IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves.
Phil McGraw, better known as Dr. Phil, last participated in the Classic in 2005. He returns to Delray Beach this weekend to compete for the first time since.
Other celebrity competitors include Martina Navratilova. Navratilova won 59 total Grand Slam titles, ultimately being declared as one of the top 40 athletes of all time by Sports Illustrated. The former world No. 1 will play Saturday at 2 p.m., followed by two matches on Sunday afternoon.
Evert and Navratilova squared off in iconic matches in the 1970s and 80s. They played 80 matches in a span of fifteen years, 61 of which were tournament finals. In the end, Navratilova lead the series, 43-37.
Four-time Australian Olympian Rennae Stubbs will also participate in the competition this weekend. Evert cites Stubbs as one of her charities’ most loyal supporters. Stubbs has worked the past two summer Olympic games as an analyst for NBC.
2008 American Idol victor David Cook will return to the Tennis Classic for an eighth straight year as well. Cook’s charitable contributions have raised more than $1 million for cancer research.
The star-studded cast of celebrity competitors will make for a great weekend of tennis. Festivities begin Friday at the Boca Raton Resort with “Tennis & Lunch with Chrissie & Friends”. Attendees who purchase a specific package are given the opportunity to participate in the Pro-Am session. Along with Evert, celebrity participants and other tennis-pros will be on the courts to hit balls and lend advice.
Later in the evening at the resort will be the cocktail reception. Patrons and sponsors are invited to attend and meet celebrities and professionals.
Evert’s incredible tennis career came to a close in 1989, when she immediately turned her attention to philanthropy. On the court, Evert won 18 Grand Slam singles championships. She was the world No. 1 singles player seven times, winning 189 total championships.
In her 28 years since retiring from tennis, Evert’s efforts have raised over $23.25 million in her ongoing campaign against drug abuse and child neglect.
Evert’s successful inaugural event made an instantaneous impact in her South Florida community. The funds raised from the tournament helped cover operations costs at a local drug treatment facility in Palm Beach County.
The 1989 opener raised over $350,000. Since then, the Tennis Classic partnered with The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida. Evert works with the Fund to aid and prevent social issues, such as substance abuse by pregnant women.
“While tennis has been my profession, helping needy children has been my passion,” Evert said. “It has been my pleasure to work in partnership with The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida to help hundreds of substance-abusing moms get the help they need to give their children a good start in life.”
Matches begin Saturday, Nov. 4, at 11 a.m. General admission tickets are priced as low as $20. All funds benefit at-risk families around South Florida.
