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Rubin Added to Advanta WTT Smash Hits

New York, N.Y. — On any list of pro athletes who give back to charities, Chanda Rubin’s name is always near the top. The Lafayette, La., native, who has often been recognized for her community service, will be back on the tennis court for a good cause on Dec. 8 for Advanta WTT Smash Hits at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge.

Co-hosted by longtime friends Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King, the 17th annual Advanta WTT Smash Hits is a charity tennis event that raises funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and Baton Rouge area AIDS charities. Rubin joins an all-star field that includes Andy Roddick, Anna Kournikova, Lindsay Davenport, No. 18 ranked Tommy Haas and world doubles No. 1 Liezel Huber.

Reserved tickets are $30, $65 and $100, and are available through the LSU Box Office or by calling 800-960-8587. Tickets can be ordered online at wtt.com/smashhits.

Rubin has been ranked as high as No. 6 in the world in singles. She has won seven singles and ten doubles titles during her WTA career, including the 1996 Australian Open doubles championship. Rubin has career singles wins over a number of top players including Lindsay Davenport, Justine Henin, Amelie Mauresmo and Serena Williams. She also represented the United States in the 1996 and 2004 Olympic Games.

Rubin has been lauded for her philanthropy throughout her career, having received the Arthur Ashe Leadership Award and Family Circle Player Who Makes A Difference award for her community service. She also founded the Chanda Rubin Foundation which supports a number of local charities and tennis programs.

Captained by King and John, the Smash Hits players will form two teams and play the World TeamTennis format. John will also participate in a celebrity doubles match to open the event. Haas and Roddick are expected to face off in the evening’s men’s singles showdown.

Special VIP ticket packages are also available through the Pennington Family Foundation for $1,000. These tickets include exclusive VIP courtside seating and admission to the Smash Hits VIP Reception and Auction which will be attended by John, King and all players. Auction items are expected to include a tennis lesson with Roddick, John’s piano bench and King’s personal Centre Court Wimbledon tickets. For more information on the VIP Reception, contact Paige Sharber at 225-928-8346.

Smash Hits has raised more than $9 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and various local AIDS charities since 1993. This year’s event, presented by the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation and hosted by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, will benefit EJAF and AIDS charities serving the Greater Baton Rouge area.

For more information on Advanta WTT Smash Hits, visit WTT.com/SmashHits.

Posted on October 14, 2009
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