Just hit the practice courts, enjoying the final summer breeze here in New England. This should be a great match-up between two strong players: Donald Young vs. Andy Roddick. World Team Tennis is one of my favorite aspects of our sport, since it brings out some of the best stars in a festive setting.
Donald is making improvements on his game, but he NEEDS to enhance his footwork. Donald takes two big steps into his forehand, instead of 10 little steps; if he can atleast take 5 steps he will move towards the top 30 in the world. Various tennis journalists are disappointed that Donald didn't accept the offer from Rafael Nadal to go down to his club and have a few training sessions; that's EXACTLY what Young needs: Lessons from the ultimate baseline grinder. Nadal proves that NO ONE is "too good" for fancy footwork. As for Roddick, he had a solid US Open, with a great win over Gonzalez; Andy may have one more Grand Slam title left in him, but he's running out of time.
For Immediate Release Donald Young to play Andy Roddick at Advanta WTT Smash Hits American stars to face off on Oct. 12 at Kennesaw State University for charity New York, N.Y. (September 15, 2008) --- Two of America’s most exciting tennis stars will face off in a singles showdown when Atlanta’s Donald Young battles Andy Roddick at Advanta World TeamTennis Smash Hits at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 12 at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga. Young is the latest addition to the lineup of the annual charity event hosted by Billie Jean King and Elton John. Other players participating in Smash Hits are Martina Navratilova and Anna Kournikova. The 16th annual event raises money for the fight against HIV and AIDS and will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund. Advanta WTT Smash Hits has raised more than $8.5 million since 1993. Tickets for Advanta WTT Smash Hits are available at etix.com or by calling (800) 514-ETIX. Reserved seat tickets range from $70 to $110 and general admission tickets are $39.50. Young is one of the brightest spots on the American tennis scene. At age 19, he is currently ranked No. 121 in singles on the ATP Tour and has been ranked as high as No. 73 earlier this year. The sports world took notice of Young when he won the 2005 Australian Open junior title at age 15 and then became the youngest year-end world No. 1 in the ITF junior boys’ rankings at age 16 years and 5 months. Young’s growing list of titles also includes the 2007 Wimbledon Junior Championship and he added two singles titles in 2007, winning both an ITF Futures and Challenger event. Young seems poised to continue his climb through the ATP Tour ranks. Last month, the 19-year- old defeated the No. 57 ranked and former top 5 player Tommy Haas in the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles. Additionally, Young battled the No. 9 seed James Blake to a fifth set before dropping a thriller at the 2008 US Open. Young is coached by his parents, Donald, Sr. and Illona, who also operate the South Fulton Tennis Center in College Park, Ga., home of the Tennis In Motion Academy. Young is bringing several students from the Tennis In Motion Academy to Advanta WTT Smash Hits. Those students, along with all youth ages 4-16, will receive a free junior tennis racquet from Advanta’s “Ready, Set, Racquet!” program. The afternoon of tennis will include singles, doubles and mixed doubles action played using the World TeamTennis (WTT) co-ed team format. The players will form two teams, with one team captained by John and the other by King. John, an avid tennis fan, opens up the afternoon in a celebrity doubles event. Special VIP ticket packages, which include VIP courtside seating and admission to the Smash Hits VIP Reception and Auction, are available for $350. The VIP Reception, which begins at 11 a.m., includes a silent and live auction and will be attended by John, King and all players. VIP packages are available online at www.ejaf.org/SmashHits08 or by calling (404) 653-0240. The VIP reception is co-chaired by civic leaders Dr. Bobbie Bailey, Charlie Hendon, and Sacha Taylor. For additional information, please visit www.WTT.com.
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