As the granddaddy of them all, Wimbledon, winds down this weekend (July 7-8) in England, area tennis fans have only a few more weeks to wait to see the top women’s players in the world.
The 2007 Acura Classic is set for the La Costa Resort & Spa July 28 to Aug. 5, bringing fans the cream of the crop in women’s professional tennis.
It’s the last year that Promotion Sports is running the tournament. Last year, Promotion Sports sold the Tier I sanction to the WTA Tour. With that, it’s unknown what will happen next with the event past this summer.
For now, fans can see the likes of Justine Henin, Maria Sharapova, Jelena Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic, Anna Chakvetadze, Serena Williams, Nadia Petrova, Nicole Vaidisova, Martina Hingis, Daniela Hantuchova, Elena Dementieva, Dinara Safina and Patty Schnyder, among others, at La Costa.
Jane Stratton, of Promotion Sports Inc., said that she and her partner, Raquel Giscafré, are both extremely gratified that so many top players have made it their tradition to return to San Diego year after year, especially since this year will be the tournament’s last.
“We’ve been hearing from players for many years now that they really love coming to San Diego because our event is so inviting from a competitor’s standpoint,” Stratton said. “Raquel and I have worked very hard to make our event a special one for players and fans, and we’re looking forward to this year being our most exciting and spectacular tournament ever.”
For more information and to purchase tickets for the Acura Classic, fans can call the tournament box office, (760) 438-5683, or visit www.acuraclassic.com.
Free parking for attendees will be available for opening weekend on Saturday and Sunday, July 28-29.
On Thursday, Aug. 2, the 2007 Acura Classic will host its fifth annual charity event to benefit the Scripps Polster Breast Care Center.
Former tennis star Pam Shriver will serve as mistress of ceremonies for the event, which will consist of a gala dinner with silent and live auctions to be held at the La Costa Resort & Spa.
Over the past four years, the Acura Classic’s benefit for breast cancer has raised more than $1 million for the Scripps Polster Breast Care Center. Tickets to the charity dinner are available for a donation of $175 per person, or $1,750 for a table of ten.
Organizers are also encouraging all tennis fans to participate in the drive by either attending the tournament Aug. 2 and donating at the “Fund-a-Mammogram” table in the Acura Gallery, or by visiting the Acura Classic Web site to donate if they’re not able to attend the event.
A variety of items will be auctioned at the charity dinner, including tennis paraphernalia, trips and more. After the evening’s first match, Shriver will conduct a live on-court auction for attendees of the tournament’s night session to raise additional money.
One of the featured items at the on-court auction will be an Acura Classic VIP Weekend at La Costa that includes luxury accommodations at the La Costa Resort & Spa for both Friday and Saturday nights (Aug. 3 and 4), dinner for two at the Bluefire Grill, plus two on-court seats for the final of the Acura Classic Sunday, Aug. 5, official tournament clothing and more.
Since the Acura Classic underwrites the entire event, every penny raised goes to the charity.