For the ninth year in a row, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami will host its annual All-Star Charity Tennis Event presented by Amundi Pioneer Asset Management on March 20, 2018 benefitting the national nonprofit organization ACEing Autism. Tennis Legend Serena Williams, ranked world No.1 by the Women’s Tennis Association in singles on eight different occasions, will also return to headline this year’s tournament, accompanied by a series of other select world-renowned champions. Twenty-four amateur players will get the chance to test their skills, interact and learn from the worldwide tennis professionals in a Round Robin qualifying tournament.
The 9th Annual All-Star Charity Tennis Event will be hosted at the legendary Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center, one of the largest tennis facilities of any Ritz-Carlton worldwide, featuring one championship hard court and ten clay Hydrocourts. Grand Slam legend and Hall of Famer Cliff Drysdale designed the center himself, which offers daily clinics and lessons for resort guests of all ages and levels, as well as a fully equipped onsite pro shop complete with designer tennis paraphernalia for the whole family.
Proceeds from the 2018 All-Star Charity Tennis Event will support ACEing Autism, whose mission is to connect children with autism through unique tennis programs, and to develop and advance proven methods to positively impact the children, families and communities it serves. ACEing Autism was founded in the summer of 2008 by Richard Spurling & Dr. Shafali Jeste in Boston, MA. as a family run organization with the invaluable efforts of its volunteers & supporters. It launched its first program at The Longfellow Club, Wayland (MA) with 15 children. In the spring of 2009 the organization added a second location, The Weymouth Club in Weymouth (MA). Richard quickly realized that he could greatly enhance the lives of children and families with autism through tennis, and he made a commitment to dedicate his career to the development and expansion of ACEing Autism.
This year’s annual event begins at 3:00 p.m. and includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, exhibition matches with the top stars, a pro Round Robin, a “King of the Court” challenge match pitting the pros against the amateur Round Robin winners, and much more. The Round Robin will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by the main event at 6:00 p.m. The action is open to the public by reservation and tickets may be purchased by visiting https://cliffdrysdale.regfox.com/travel-all-star-event-rckb or calling Katie Steck at Cliff Drysdale Tennis at (830) 625 5911 x208.
Tickets are as follows:
$95 per person provides spectators tickets to view the exhibitions, enjoy champagne and hors d’oeuvres while they watch all the action.
$750 per person provides entry to a Round Robin tournament, VIP seating, gift bag and court time, as well as participation with Cliff Drysdale, Darren Cahill and top ATP players to qualify for two spots, giving local players the chance of a lifetime to play out points with the leading tennis pros.
$1,500 per person provides entry to a Round Robin tournament, guaranteed hitting time against and alongside the top pros, VIP seating, gift bag, and group photo opportunity. $5,000 provides one VIP All Access Pass including one player entry in the Round Robin tournament, 15 minutes of guaranteed playing time against and alongside the top pros, VIP courtside seating, gift bags and individual meet-and-greet photo opportunity.