The Biggest and best Tennis event of the year just took place at CLUBSPORT Green Valley, where Linda Long and Serena Williams put together a tennis extravaganza to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research.

Click to see Pictures

Ovarian Cancer has touched many woman, as has other forms of Cancer, but Linda Long decided years ago, after watching her mother die from the

 disease, that she would do something to find a cure. After Linda shared her Vision Serena chose to  support Linda and take an active role by using her status as a professional tennis player and "Celebrity" to promote an event each year in Las Vegas where players and fans from all over the country come to watch and play with Serena.

Serena is now the number one woman in doubles and singles, in the world. She just won Wimbledon for the second year in a row and is now aiming to win her 6th title out of the last seven majors. But more then tennis she is getting involved in many other things to be a more balanced individual. She mentioned not being defined by tennis alone, but allowing her own intuition to guide or to do a plethora of things making her a complete individual.

Helping her long time partner Linda Long, a Las Vegas resident, player, and PUMA executive, raise funds for OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH is one of these diverse activities that she has chosen to take part in. And this is one place, out of thousands of offers she gets weekly, that she chose to come...CLUBSPORT GREENVALLEY, so you and others could watch and play with the number one female player in the world.

ESPY AWARDS....Sportswoman of the Year
Serena and Venus Williams showed their more glamorous side at the recent Sports Oscars in Monte Carlo. Serena, holder of all four grand slam tennis titles, was there to accept her trophy for Laureus World Sportswoman Of The Year.

Click here to read about how Serena got started...
 

Having the ladies tennis #1 ranked player in Las Vegas is an opportunity for Las Vegas to set the tone that Las Vegas is , once again, the place for professional tennis to flourish. Tennis professionals have always loved to come here, looking back to when a large part of the men's and ladies tour started at Caesars Palace.

Las Vegas was a spot Jimmy Conners loved to frequent and the many top athlete of that time would come in for the Virginia Slims tour, which began here, and the many unique tennis events like when Conner's played Navratilova  in a battle of the sexes. Marty Hennessy was showing me a picture of he and Conners from the weeks before that match, when he was Jimmy Conners hitting partner to get ready for that match.

Las Vegas has a rich tennis history, that included the once number one male player in the world Poncho Gonzales, and his protégé and #1 in the world doubles player David Pate Now that legacy continues with Andre Agassi and his charitable foundation. Other locals Like Club Sport's professional  Kevin Bradley and Dina Basil have spent time on the tour, along with Las Vegas Country Club's Johnny Lane. Sam Aparicio who worked with David Pate and Poncho Gonzales, also has been a traveling coach for many touring pro's and is now working with many top juniors in town.

Las Vegas also has a strong tradition of supporting financially, sincere causes. The fight to find a cure for Ovarian Cancer and other forms of cancer is why this event was created, and the funds raised last year had dramatic success. Dr Sofia Merajver, who used the funds to pay for researchers and lab work and other costs of "Finding a cure" ,explained how last years work,  financed by last year's donations, was given a national award and won a very large grant worth 12 times the amount donated.

Dr. Merajver expressed her gratitude for your efforts in raising funds by being volunteers and participants at the V.I.P silent auction diner the evening before and during the event. The Silent auction was outstanding, one of the highlights of the event. Many interesting items were available to bid on.

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The Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino came up huge, with a first class presentation and array of hor D'oeurves and a buffet dinner , displayed in some of the finest silver I have seen. The Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino is a milestone in architecture, from it's outside Venezia Towers to the majestic and elegant interior design. The interior is flushed with  frescoed ceilings, coffered ceilings, and gold painted moldings. I have been in some of the nicest hotels this country has to offer and The Venetian has taken it's presentation and architecture to a whole new level rarely seen these days. Las Vegas is one of the few cities that is building what one local interior designer Jacquelyn Cartwright, called "The best that this Century has to offer."

Going up the elevator to meet Linda Long in her Suite before the V.I.P. reception I heard a couple say of their suite, "This is the nicest place we have ever stayed." This was the sentiment of all the professional players that came into town as well, as The Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino gave them all free suites. Many locals do not realize the buzz and glamour that Las Vegas has throughout the world. With the casino revenues, it gives builders and developers the ability to make the best of the best.

 Las Vegas is the largest tourist and convention market in the world and a  perfect place to hold international events, i.e. professional tennis tournaments and promotions. What Linda Long has done is the right step in this direction.

This year the awareness of Ovarian Cancer was driven home by the consistent and outstanding efforts of THE REVIEW JOURNAL.,  which sponsored and published this event, complete with an online auction. There was not a period of time that went by where they did not let the public know that Ovarian Cancer was the cause of this event and the many ways the community could get involved.

One such way was a creative idea to allow players to "Return a serve from Serena", which was the brainchild of Stewart Title Director Ted Jones. Ted's idea became the corner stone of today's event and it's promotion. When I called local tennis family's and players to invite them to take part, the mention of the opportunity to return a serve brought laughs and "What a great idea" from almost everyone. It was a huge success, with numerous players lining up for over an hour and a half to share the court with Serena and Linda Long.

Linda Long was the commentator during the event and made a point to get the crowd involved by explaining who each players was, who the sponsors were and by sharing her story with the crowd, which included reading a "Touching poem" that Serena had sent her in a important time in her life.

Linda's mother Opal died of Ovarian cancer years ago, just days after Linda was called off the tour with Serena to care for her mother.

Click here to read the poem Serena wrote to Linda Long

Linda made the point that Serena Williams is not only an excellent player, but a very sensitive individual. It is nice to have great form and Wimbledon titles, but in all, one has to be satisfied with how they live their lives on a moment to moment basis. Often it is the little details, and one's Patience or "Sensitivity" as Linda put it, which stands to be the real test of one's talent. Because at the end of the day the only way to rest well is to have lived well, with heart and full of awareness. Full awareness of what is the right way to handle each situation and the willingness to follow through on this knowing. Each of us knows that many tugs and pulls trying to pull one down, in a match with a deathly disease like cancer, in a match on the court, or just amongst ourselves in day to day living. Success is determined as to how we deal with these situations, with grace just "Letting go" , and keeping in it's place a normal and satisfied disposition.

 Overcoming is what this event is all about, on every level. For some it means overcoming a disease which effects them in many ways, while for others it is a test to overcome the various stresses of life. Because life is an awesome test and it is one you can always win... just be willing and stay open.

Open were the doors at 8am at CLUBSPORT GREEN VALLEY, with parents, junior players, media and lifelong tennis enthusiasts from as far as New York and Texas, coming to see the top player in one of the most personal  environments she is likely to be in for the next couple of years.

CLUBSPORT GREEN VALLEY, once again came up strong with their events coordinator Kari Cranford, General manager Kristine Drinovsky, Deborah Dryer and Director of Tennis Allan Brown donating hundreds of hours of their time and this most amazing facility to the cause. Club Sport also has a team of members who are ever present in making sure these types of special events are done well, including Dawn Farber and her husband, both of which are avid players, Donna Lee, a local 4.0, Jennifer Fields, who also chairs the Stacy Darling event, Larry Hanna, providing the Photography, along with many others I know by face but not by name.

CHAMPAIGN WAS DONATED BY Bob Cranston at Deluca Liquor and Wine , Ltd.

An event this size can not happen without the support of local and national sponsors. It is because of these sponsors, and with these sponsors help in the future, that tennis will continue to thrive in the Valley. You can support those sponsors by simply choosing to do business with them in the future. Whether it is ensuring that you always use Stewart Title when buying and selling, or choosing HEALTH PLAN OF NEVADA when looking for coverage, advertising with REVIEW JOURNAL.. subscribing to their paper, using Collegiate Graphics for your printing and design, have your designs and photos done by LARRY HANNA PHOTOGRAPHY, get your video Production from AHonestVideo.com (which is my company), Advertise on VegasTennis.com (Which is my company); Stay and frequent The Venetian Resort, which also has numerous Ball Rooms and convention space, support Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, Ann Arbor Framing Co, Financial planning at ALAN WAXLER GROUP, buy equipment and apparel at LAS VEGAS GOLF AND TENNIS, wear PUMA, wear and use WILSON SPORTING GOODS, buy and sell via CENTRA PROPERTIES, LLC., watch great METRO GOLDWYN MAYER movies, t.v, and publications, get signs made at SIGNS NOW, join CLUBSPORT GREEN VALLEY, use Southern Wine and Spirits, Go to SAMMY'S WOODFIRE PIZZA Kitchen, whom also sponsored my BALLY'S CUP  tournament.

THE ALAN WAXLER GROUP came through again this year, as they have every year of this event. The ALAN WAXLER GROUP paid for all of the limousine services to take Serina and the other professionals to and from the airport and the events.

The sponsor of my tennis tournament  this spring was MOBILE MEDICAL SERVICES, which offers mastectomy products and compression stockings to people who have battled cancer and other challenges. Their number is 733-1900, and Dollie who owns it has three boys in local junior tennis. I post their logo on most of my stuff, as sponsors like these bring life to Las Vegas tennis by giving  those willing to makes things happen, the funds to do so. If it was not for MOBILE MEDICAL SERVICES I could not have done my junior tournament, which was the largest in Las Vegas history. This web site is still looking for sponsors of it's tennis events and for the site itself.

 Advertise here to keep this web site alive.

This Tennis web site is something I am led to do, it is just a matter of financing it, which I have been doing on my own for years. If you have a way for VegasTennis.com to pay for itself, or if you would like to advertise on this site, or use VegasTennis.com's event promotion and  management services, call me at 822-1081. I have promoted most of the tennis events in town and this web site averages 120,000 hits a year.

Linda Long has chosen to make this event happen, and from the beginning she was smart enough to put together a team of players to execute her vision. But each participant in this ultimate match was permitted and encourage to follow their own intuition on what to do and when. It is amazing what can take place when you pull together a group of self motivated individuals that see an opportunity and act on it.

There was Lee Medick, who spear headed the silent auction. Everything from getting the items, coordinating them, decorating the tables and ball room for the special VIP evening, to running the auction and collecting the funds after it was all said and done. Helping her was Stephany Markum,  the Director of Memberships at The Stirling Club at Turnberry Place, which is one of  the town's newest and most elegant Country Club's. The Stirling Club is located within Turnberry Place luxury high rise homes, and includes the only clay court facility in town. Long time tennis stalwart Marty Hennessy is the Director of Tennis and is in the midst of creating once again, an amazing social tennis environment that is a host of many mixed doubles socials, clinics and Celebrity pro-am events and tournaments. VegasTennis.com has worked with The Stirling Club and Marty Hennessy to promote and assist in managing some of these events to make sure they are of the highest quality, in the most elegant of environments. Stephany Markum, of the Stirling Club helped Lee Medick to decorate and promote the Silent auction.

The Stirling Club crew with tennis professionals

Click here to see The Stirling Club Home page

This years auctioneer was extremely talented in that position, and apparently fairly good at putting together a television show. CBS Productions Anthony Zuiker, the creator and producer of the now famous #1 t.v. show CSI, stepped up to the plate by not only donating a walk on part on his show for two in LA, but took an active roll the whole evening meeting all the guests and ultimately doing the auction himself. The auction was fiery, with Mr Lon Emerson, Londa Faber's dad,  bidding up the auction to almost $9,000.00. This is when Ted Jones, of Stewart Title, made the bold move of bidding 9,000.00. To entice the crowd Anthony Zuiker offered to match a $10,000.00 bid and to increase the prize to 4 walk on parts. The biding closed at $20,000.00 for this one item.

Also inspiring during the evening auction was the willingness of Laurie Lee, a Stewart Title representative, to give TEAM AGASSI player Candynce Boney the opportunity to play a point with Serena Williams. I was interviewing Laurie Lee and her associates about Stewart Title when she informed me of a "Serve it up" ticket that was not being used. I told her about the TEAM AGASSI program and how one of the players may enjoy the opportunity. She immediately said she would give it to Candynce Boney and made the arrangements right on the spot.

Candynce Boney is the perfect example of a tennis program player done good. The Local Andre Agassi Boys and Girl's Club has a small tennis program that has made a huge impact on local tennis, for juniors and adults. Just four years ago it began, with players like Candynce picking up a racquet for the first time, and now she is part of the tennis scene as a result. Candynce and her teammates Jasmine Muhammad, Stan Breland and Asia Muhammad dominate local and Intermountain tennis. In fact, Asia just got back from reaching the quarterfinals in the United States Tennis Associations Super Nationals, competing with the best players from all over the country.

The team AGASSI players were given a special chance of a lifetime to play a point with Serena because of the efforts of Laurie Lee. Then as the event began Glen Barton, the Director of Sales for Stewart Title, gave 4 additional tickets to TEAM AGASSI, so their other players could play.

The serve it up tickets were worth $125.00 each. The entry tickets to watch the exhibition were $25.00 each. Stewart Title donated almost 35 tickets to "Serve it up" with Serena.

Glen Barton of Stewart Title also works with a local elementary school all year long to help them buy supplies for their programs. Today, he arranged for Stewart Title to bus in 35 kids from that elementary school to enjoy the event. The kids, many of which play tennis, or may start playing tennis, were so involved you could here them chanting the name of their school each time one of the schoolmates got up to hit the ball.

And these were not the only players thrilled with the opportunity, as adults like Steven Kolker, a local physician, and Allison Davis, Nevada's High school doubles champion, got their chance at one point with the worlds number one singles and doubles player Serena Williams. Also taking a shot at Serena was Gabriele Gibson, Stoynaka Pantic, who had a very long rally which got the crowd going, and Shauna Morgan not only returned a 92 mile and hour Serena Serve, but after a nice rally, won the point.

Stoyanka not only "Served it up" with Serena, but got a chance to play in the exhibition before she showed up with Caroline Viss. Stoyanka actually had the crowd cheering as she played some excellent tennis keeping a long rally then putting the ball away down the middle. Talking to her later she said she had an amazing day where all the pieces fell into place. She gave a card to Serena, signed "Your biggest fan and future competitor. Stoyanka was happy to see Serena leaving the building, with me and reporters around her, and by her side in one hand was the card she had given her some one hour earlier.

Some of the longest rally's with Serena was with Rebecca Clary, a TEAM AGASSI player, Shauna Morgan, and Iesha James, Michael James's daughter. Polly, Joey and Jackie Kulla from Anthem Country Club heard of the event from the VegasTennis.com e-mail newsletter and signed up to buy the tickets to play with Serena. All the Kulla children returned Serena's serve, and their mom said "Oh my God, they had so much fun, as a parent , they were so into it and as a parent it makes being a parent so much fun when you see something like this happen, they had so much fun yesterday."

Ball boys were numerous, to name a few Patrick Kawka, Alex Zara, Devon Morrissey and many other local tennis players.

After the "Serve it up" was a round robin, where the big supporters got a chance to play with or against Serena Williams and with the other professionals. Blake Lamberth made his presence known yesterday, as he played some of the best and most energized points of the day. It was obvious that Serena enjoyed match play the most out of all the events and it was Blake's play that brought some of the brightest of her smiles all day. On the opposite side of the net was the 40th ranked doubles player in the world, Graydon Oliver. Not only is he an excellent player, and doubles partners with Jan-Michael Gambil, but the whole weekend he was gracious and sincere in his willingness to get to know and play with the participants. He took a keen interest in Blake Lamberth and spent much time with him after the event in the VIP luncheon, which was catered by SAMMY'S WOODFIRE AND PIZZA KITCHEN, with great salads, pasta dishes and fresh squeezed orange juice, of which I had a lot.

Graydon will be playing with Martina Navratilova in this years HuggyBear tournament in New York. Local professional David Pate, who won the consolation draw of this event last year, is also playing in this pre-US Open event. He and Scott Davis will also be playing in the US OPEN to try and recapture the many 35 and over doubles titles they have won there in the last number of years.

Ernestine Miclat, a local player in town, was busy being the VegasTennis.com reporter, interviewing the players and participants, and  Graydon again went above and beyond to make himself available to her and others. Perhaps it is because his mother, a cancer survivor, was with him and this event being about cancer research. Or maybe he is just a decent guy who has not let false pride get the best of him.
 

Click here to see Graydon Oliver's college team page

Graydon's ATP PageGraydon's ATP Page

The other tennis professionals from the tour that were involved were Robert Kendrick, who is now 240 in the world in singles, Zack Fleishman, who is now 125 in singles, and Caroline Viss, who has made a living as a touring professional for over 16 years; Also, Patricia Tarabini, winner of the Australian Open in mixed doubles. Amazed was local standout Jeff Hardbach, when he heard his old tennis friends were in town. He got a call from the club telling him Zack and Robert Kendrick were playing and he came down for a quasi reunion. They all played competitively against one another as juniors, and Jeff was on his way to play professionally until an injury.

Coming in from Houston Texas to participate was Londa Faber's dad and mom, Lon Emerson and his wife Mrs. Emerson.

Jackie Carducci , a long time CLUBSPORT member and player and high school tennis coach, brought out her high school tennis team from Green Valley, which included Lindsey and Courtney Richardson, to help be ushers for the event. Getting ready for this years high school tennis season got off to a good start.

Linda Long made sure that each person involved, including this team of volunteers , had a chance to meet Serena and take a photo with her. She orchestrated the event smoothly , taking the ups and downs that an event like this will always entail, and handling it with grace. Like a professional tennis player on the court, filled with the outside pressures, or a professional at living life, the best can take the tough competition and turn it into an excellent event, and that is what took place this past weekend at The Venetian Hotel and ClubSport Green Valley...