Gavin Rossdale: Evert Event Raises $1 Million

Tennis Week – News – Evert Event Raises $1 Million
The Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic closed out its 19th consecutive event, raising more than $1 million to help abused and neglected children in South Florida. Since its inception in 1989, the event has raised more than $17.8 million.

Sunday’s tennis action at the Delray Beach Tennis Center marked the event debut on the courts of both entertainment star Billy Crystal and golfing legend Greg Norman. In the featured match, Norman teamed with tennis star Justin Gimelstob to defeat Crystal and event host Chris Evert in what turned out to be the day’s most entertaining match 7-5.

In other matches, musician Gavin Rossdale and former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna paired up to defeat comedian Jon Lovitz and two-time Grand Slam champion Mary Pierce, in a close match, 6-5 (7-3). In another close match, 12-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres partnered with Gimelstob to defeat Novotna and Chevy Chase 6-5 (7-5). The day closed with Rossdale and Pierce holding off Evert and Alan Thicke 6-1.

The live and silent auctions at Saturday evening’s Gala at the Boca Raton Resort and Club raised more than $142,000. Among the auction items sold at the popular South Florida event was a tickets package for the 2009 US Open, four unrestricted business class tickets on Swiss Air and dinner with actor Chevy Chase.

Coverage of the 2008 event will air in January on ESPN, as part of the network’s coverage of tennis during the 2009 Australian Open

Results from Matches on Sunday, November 2

Match 1: Gavin Rossdale / Jana Novotna def. Jon Lovitz / Mary Pierce 6-5 (7-3)

Match 2: Dara Torres / Justin Gimelstob def. Chevy Chase / Jana Novotna 6-5 (7-5)

Match 3: Greg Norman / Justin Gimelstob def. Billy Crystal / Chris Evert 7-5

Match 4: Gavin Rossdale / Mary Pierce def. Alan Thicke / Chris Evert 6-1