Back from the US Open and it’s 50th Celebration was a great success! I was honored to be a part of the celebration by being present and reliving the memories that brought us to the 3.2M prize money awarded to Coco Gauf. I think the victory was more important to Coco as she had stood on the precipice of victory and finally became a Grand Slam winner at the US OPEN this year.
Fifty years ago in 1973, Margaret Court won the women’s singles and was awarded a check for $25,000…equal to the men’s winner John Newcomb. In 1972 Billie Jean King won the women’s singles and made $10,000, $15,000 less than Ilie Nastase who won the men’s singles for $25,000. She swore that the women would not return if the prize money was not equal the following year. The women did return for equal prize money thanks to her efforts to obtain the prize money needed from Bristol Myers. Thanks also to Billy Talbert Tournament Director for the US Open who kept his promise to have equal prize money for the women if BJK delivered a sponsor. You can imagine the heat he got when he made that promise a reality!
For the two weeks the US Open celebrated and honored BJK in a most impressive and meaningful way. She was the face of the 50th Anniversary of equal prize money for the women at The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. She has been the inspiration that continues to move women’s tennis forward. “You’ve Come A Long Way Baby” was our slogan then, and now it seems to be an appropriate discription of women’s tennis and how far we’ve come.
Coco seems poised to follow in BJK’S footsteps. I look forward to the future of WTA & women’s tennis. Congratulations Coco!
WTA 50TH ANNIVERSARY:
We celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the founding of WTA with a big bash in New York at the Ziegfield Theater. It was a wonderful celebration and Red Carpet affair of women’s tennis past and present,. It was great to see players come from all parts of the world to pay tribute to the “Legacy” they helped establish. Billie Jean & Chris spoke on behalf of the Legends and Coco Gauf responded on behalf of todays generations, thanking all of us for our courage and resilience we displayed. Micky Lawler President of WTA spoke about the obstacles still to overcome and the future of WTA and it’s eventual quest of equal prize money. It is meaningful to see that women’s tennis has continued to grow and be successful. Each generation is a custodian of the game as is WTA and all those who work tirelessly to improve all aspects of women’s tennis. Thank You WTA & it’s dedicated staff for such a great job!
FAMILY CIRCLE CUP
In 1973 Family Circle Cup put up $100,000 in prize money and the largest winner’s purse ever awarded to women. I know I mentioned I was the winner of that little bundle and bought my 1973 Fire Engine Red 450 SL Mercedes convertible! Just recently Jack Jones passed away. He was the promoter and the inspiration behind the idea of introducing the largest purse for women at the Inaugural Family Circle Cup. He was the first to have women’s tennis “Live” on national network, NBC the Peacock with Bud Collins as the color commentator. Jack was partners with John Moreno and together they shook up the tennis world by creating opportunities to showcase women’s tennis. These two were so instrumental in advancing women’s tennis that I want to remember them as two beautiful people and thank them for believing in us!! Jack & John may you rest in love and peace!
INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME GALA 1973
The International Tennis Hall Of Fame, who I am partial to, celebrated and honored Billie Jean King and “The Battle Of The Sexes” at their Dinner Gala in NY at Cipriani’s. Who could forget Billie Jean’s defeat of Bobby Riggs the “Chauvinist Pig” at the Houston Astrodome. His defeat probably did more for women’s tennis than any loss! Billie Jean’s victory resounded all over the world and inspired women to believe in themselves and fight for what they wanted and deserved.
1973 was a pivotal moment for women, sports and social history. Where were you during “The Battle Of The Sexes”?
THE ANNALEE THURSTON AWARDS RECEPTION DINNER 2024 & THE ROSIE CUP
The Love & Love Annalee Thurston Awards Reception is March 9, 2024. We will be honoring Hall of Famer and 20 time Grand Slam Doubles winner Pam Shriver. She’s been our wonderful MC for past awards and partnered with Martina Navratilova to win a record 109 match win streak spanning from April 1983-July 1985. Shriver was also a singles finalist at the U.S. Open in 1978 and won 21 singles titles and was ranked number 3 on the WTA Tour. She is currently a televison broadcaster for ESPN and has worked for the Tennis Channcel, CBS and most of the other networks.
We are excited to have her as an honoree next year. It will be interesting how we will navigate the evening since she is usually the MC for the dinner! Invitations will be going out in November/December and benefits THE LOVE & LOVE TENNIS FOUNDATION.
ROSIE CUP will be played on Sunday March 10, from 8:00am to 10:00am. Location to be announced later. It will be a doubles Round Robin Format.
LATIN AMERICAN TENNIS FOUNDATION AUCTION
The LATF is having On-Line Auction Fundraiser. The Foundation was established in 2022 to provide opportunities for Latinos of all ages & levels to play tennis and excel. We are excited about our first fundraiser and hope yo will participate and help the foundation raise money for the Youth Development Fund & it’s programs as well as other tennis projects helping the growth of Latin tennis. You can register by joining us at: https://yourcharityauction.com/LATF
and you can also check our website: www.thelatinamericantennisfoundation.org
THE U.S. OPEN DIVERSITY & CULTURAL EXHIBITION
The U.S. Open had a Diversity & Cultural Exhibition celebrated the Heritages of Latinos, African Americans & Asians during the US Open. Several of The Latin American Board Members attended and participated in the September 5, Latine Pop & Sports Cultural Day which hosted a breakfast and Latine Panel discussing Latine Pop & Sports. We were also excited to participate in the ceremonial Coin Toss for the featured Day & Evening Sessions. . Thank You to all LATF members who attend and to the USTA Diversity Team, Marisa Grimes, Natalia Pedroza, Gabby Castaneda and the rest of the staff. Great job! Special thanks to my friend Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive Professional Tennis, who was a terrific host and provided a wonderful dinner for us!Emoji
FREE KIDS TENNIS FRITZ BURNS PARK LA QUNTA
September 23,through October 28, 2023.
Saturday, 8:00-9:15am free kids tennis clinic at Fetz Burns Park in La Quinta.
Just come out we will have rackets, balls and drinks. Ages 6-14 welcome!
ROSIE CASALS & PANCHO GONZALEZ TENNIS FIESTA OCTOBER 7, 2023
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month October 7 at the Civic Center Palm Desert Tennis courts. The Love & Love Tennis Foundation will host about 120 kids from Coachella Valley and treat them to a morning tennis clinic starting with breakfast hosted by Desert Recreation District, Lunch by Jersey Mike’s and other festivities throughout the day. The event will conclude by 1:30pm.
Your continuous support of The Love & Love Tennis Foundation is greatly appreciated. We thank our our sponsors, donors and volunteers for all they do!
More free clinics will be organized throughout the year so stay tuned!
HAPPY FALL!
Rosie & Tory