Tennis Atlantic

Audi, Esurance and K-Swiss Sign On As Major Sponsors For Los Angeles Tennis Challenge on March 4

Justin Gimelstob and Mardy Fish-Hosted Exhibition at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion

Will Feature World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Pete Sampras and Bryan Brothers

Not exactly east coast news, but LA Tennis has had such a rough year with the loss of the Farmer’s Classic that I’m happy to see a bit of good news. At least this exo should be funded for future years.–Ed.

Westwood, Calif., (Feb. 8, 2013) – Audi, Esurance and K-Swiss have each signed on as major sponsors for the inaugural Los Angeles Tennis Challenge featuring World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Pete Sampras and Bob and Mike Bryan to be played March 4 at newly renovated Pauley Pavilion.

Middle-level general admission tickets and reserved seating are now available starting at $35 and can be purchased at http://www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310-825-2101 Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by calling the event directly at 310-824-1010, ext. 251.

“The LA Tennis Challenge is proud to partner with one of the world’s leading carmakers in the premium and supercar segment,” Gimelstob said. “We look forward to building and growing the LA Tennis Challenge into one of the best sporting and social events in Los Angeles.”

Added Fish: “Having Audi, Esurance and K-Swiss as sponsors is a major step in achieving our goals.”

Three exhibition pro-set matches will take place beginning at 7 p.m. Djokovic will take on Los Angeles resident Mardy Fish in singles followed by a doubles match pitting Djokovic and his childhood idol Sampras against Southern California natives Bob and Mike Bryan. An opening singles match between two marquee players will be announced shortly.

Both Djokovic and the Bryan Brothers are coming off huge wins last month in Melbourne Park solidifying each as No. 1 in the world in singles and doubles. Djokovic won his fourth Australian Open singles title while the Bryans captured their all-time best 13th doubles Grand Slam.

“They’re going to be tough,” Mike said of facing the team of Djokovic and Sampras in a first to eight –game pro-set. “Winning a Grand Slam is great, but we have to win in our hometown of L.A. We have to prove to our friends and family that we’re the best.”

Players will be playing for charity with proceeds from the event benefiting the Justin Gimelstob Children’s Fund, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, the Novak Djokovic Foundation, Call to Cure and the Southern California Tennis Association’s community tennis initiatives.

“We hope to make the LA Tennis Challenge an annual event, which brings together the community, celebrities and tennis fans to raise money for some very worthy charities and foundations,” Fish said. “It will also grow and promote the sport in Southern California. We hope to establish the LA Tennis Challenge as one of the most important social and sporting events of the year.”

The LA Tennis Challenge will be broadcast by Tennis Channel in the United States.

To learn more about the LA Tennis Challenge go to http://www.LATennisChallenge.com. Like the event on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LATennisChallenge and follow on Twitter at @LA10sChallenge. For more information you can email: info@latennischallenge.com.

–S. Pratt