Elton John knows how to get Andy Roddick fired up on the tennis court. Before Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at Kennesaw State University on October 12, 2008, cohost Elton John joked that Andy Roddick hasn’t been on a winning Smash Hits team in years.

Roddick responded to the challenge from his team coach, winning three sets to lead Team Elton John to a 23-16 victory over Team Billie Jean at the 16th annual Advanta WTT Smash Hits at Kennesaw State University. With the win, Elton John evened the series with Billie Jean King at eight wins apiece.

The annual charity event, hosted by Billie Jean King and Elton John, raised more than $400,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund.

Elton kicked off the tennis action teaming with Roddick to win a battle of the sexes match against Anna Kournikova and Martina Navratilova. The music superstar and avid tennis fan hit several winners, showcasing a formidable forehand.

Team Elton got off to an early lead in the first set of mixed doubles as Kournikova and Roddick edged Navratilova and Jesse Levine in a tight match 5-4 (3). Roddick outgunned Levine in two sets of men’s singles 5-2, 5-1. Team Billie Jean rallied in the second set of mixed doubles when Navratilova and Levine outlasted Roddick and top American junior Melanie Oudin, 5-3.

At 17, Oudin is 34 years younger than the timeless Navratilova. But the Marietta, Ga., teen shook off the nerves and was impressive in singles. Navratilova hit several drop shot winners which prompted Oudin to laugh and yell across the net “haven’t got one yet have I?” On the next point, Oudin hit a drop shot out of Martina’s reach to the delight of her hometown crowd.

She closed out the game with an ace to take a 4-2 lead. Navratilova put on a shot-making clinic in the next two games to take the final set to a nine-point tiebreaker before Oudin closed out the set 5-4 to grab the match victory for Team Elton with a forehand winner. For Oudin the afternoon was memorable experience, playing a legend in front of family and friends. “It was a great experience getting to play her, win or lose” said Oudin.

At a pre-match reception, more than $171,000 of the event’s total was raised as King, Elton and the players participated in a live auction. The top auction items were two Wimbledon packages with Billie Jean King’s personal Center Court seats which sold for $21,000 each. Other top draws were Elton’s autographed piano bench and a Super Bowl package. Roddick wrapped up the auction with a winning $17,000 bid for artwork created by Martina Navratilova. The VIP reception was co-chaired by civic leaders Dr. Bobbie Bailey, Charlie Hendon, and Sacha Taylor.

Elton’s part-time hometown turned out to support his annual charity event and help raise funds for HIV/AIDS programs in the South. During a pre-match press conference, Elton talked about how much the Atlanta community has supported him since moving here 17 years ago and he emphasized the importance of community support for AIDS programs especially during tough economic times.



FINAL RESULTS – 2008 Advanta WTT Smash Hits – Kennesaw, Ga.

Celebrity Battle of the Sexes: Elton John/Andy Roddick def. Anna Kournikova/Martina Navratilova 3-1

(Celebrity match does not count towards overall score)

FINAL SCORE: Team Elton John def. Team Billie Jean 23-16

MIXED DOUBLES: Anna Kournikova/Andy Roddick (Team Elton) def.

Martina Navratilova/Jesse Levine 5-4 (3)

MEN’S SINGLES (2 sets):Andy Roddick def. Jesse Levine 5-2, 5-1

MIXED DOUBLES: Martina Navratilova/Jesse Levine def. Melanie Oudin/Andy Roddick 5-3

WOMEN’S SINGLES: Melanie Oudin (Team Elton) def. Martina Navratilova (Team Billie Jean) 5-4 (1)

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