Look To The Stars News: Andy Roddick

Stars Line Up For Andy Roddick Annual Charity Event

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Andy Roddick is once again giving fans a chance to return his 155 mph serve during his annual Andy Roddick Foundation charity event.

The weekend will kick off Saturday, December 6th, with an evening gala at the Polo Club Boca Raton and culminate in a charity tennis exhibition on Sunday, December 7th. This year Roddick and the Bryan Brothers will be joined by 2008 Wimbledon Champion Venus Williams.

Sunday’s festivities at the Boca Pointe Country Club will begin with a Pro-Am Doubles tournament, where nine lucky people will have the chance to play with some of the world’s top-ranked tennis players.

There will be events for children, and at 1 p.m. a Pro-Celebrity Tennis Exhibition will be held. Immediately following the exhibition, people will have the chance to return Roddick’s record-breaking 155 mph serve.

Tickets will not be sold at the gate. These events take place rain or shine.

To purchase tickets please contact the Andy Roddick Foundation at 561-620-9449 or visit www.andyroddick.com.

Team Elton John Wins Charity Tennis Event

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Team Elton John has won the 16th annual Advanta WTT Smash Hits event and raised over $400,000 for charity.

Held at the Kennesaw State University on Sunday, October 12, the event was organized by John and tennis legend Billie Jean King to raise cash for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund.

Sir Elton – a huge sports fan – kicked off the tennis action in a Battle of the Sexes match with Andy Roddick against Anna Kournikova and Martina Navratilova, winning easily 3-1.

Over $171,000 of the event’s total was raised in a live auction held before the games, with top items including two Wimbledon packages with Billie Jean King’s personal Center Court seats – which sold for $21,000 each – as well as Elton John’s autographed piano bench and a Super Bowl package. Roddick surprised other bidders by successfully acquiring a $17,000 artwork made by Martina Navratilova and Slovak artist Juraj Kralik, created when Navratilova hit a paint-soaked tennis balls onto a blank canvas.

“All of the money raised here today will stay here in the Atlanta market and in Georgia,” said Sir Elton during a press conference. “Forty six percent of AIDS cases are now being reported in the South. We are distinctly aware of the problems here and the South will continue to be a priority for the foundation.”

Andy Roddick To Hold Charity Weekend

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Tennis champ Andy Roddick is to hold the 8th annual Andy Roddick Foundation Weekend in December.

To be held over two days – December 6 and 7 – at the Boca Pointe Country Club, the event will kick off with a special gala and cocktail reception, featuring a dinner and live auction. But it is Sunday’s events that will stir up the most interest with tennis fans: the day will begin with nine lucky people having the chance to play Pro-Am Doubles with some of the world’s top ranked tennis players. For younger fans, a special Andy Roddick Kid’s Zone will be set up, which will include sumo-wrestling, a bounce house, a rock climbing wall, tennis activities, music and more. At 1 pm will be the highlight of the day: a Pro-Celebrity Tennis Exhibition, featuring Roddick, and Men’s Doubles champs Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan.

Roddick established the Andy Roddick Foundation to raise funds for institutions that care for children who are neglected, abused, at risk or with catastrophic illnesses – and with both Elton John and Lance Armstrong on its Board of Directors, the foundation is well-known for its fundraising ability.

This year’s Andy Roddick Foundation Weekend will benefit a number of charities close to the tennis star’s heart, including Habitat For Humanity, Kids in Distress, Here’s Help, Deliver the Dream, and many more.

Courtside tickets to December 7’s exhibition match are $100 each; VIP Canopy tickets are $75 each; Reserved tickets are $50 each; and General Admission tickets are $25 each. Children, under age 12, are complimentary in the Reserved and General Admission sections only and receive a free gift when accompanied by a paid adult. To book tickets – which go on sale on August 4 – visit www.andyroddick.com.

Time's 100 - Tribute To Andre Agassi By Andy Roddick

Thu, 15 May 2008 11:26:29 -0000

Tennis star Andy Roddick wrote about Andre Agassi’s generous spirit for this year’s Time 100 list:

“From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.” —Arthur Ashe

“Arthur could well have been talking about Andre Agassi. We are all aware of his tennis accomplishments, the brilliance and flash of his career. It’s impossible to forget his epic U.S. Open victories, and also—though he might want us to forget—the mullet and acid-washed jeans. But the greater challenge for an athlete is to have a positive impact away from the cameras. I’ve been privileged to witness firsthand Andre, 38, do just that.

“When I was 17 years old, we were on a flight together. I was very nervous, but Andre was kind and encouraged me to ask him questions. When I asked about his biggest regret, I expected some answer related to our profession. Instead he said it was not starting his charitable foundation earlier. I was shocked that a person who has set such a high bar for athletic philanthropy still felt like he could do more. But that is Andre.

“There are most likely plenty of kids at Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a model K-12 charter school for disadvantaged children in Las Vegas, who have never watched a match of his. I promise you that Andre could not care less. He would rather be viewed as the man who gives them dreams and opportunities.”

Roddick is the No. 1 tennis player in the U.S., and has his own foundation, which raises funds for children in need.

Dacor Taste of Tennis

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 20:02:31 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

On August 23, 2007, at the W Hotel in New York, over 400 food, wine and tennis fans convened for the Dacor Taste of Tennis Food and Wine event to benefit the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

Coinciding with the launch of the 2007 US Open, the event featured tennis stars such as Andy Roddick, Tommy Haas and Rafael Nadal as they traded in their rackets for aprons and joined forces with some of the world’s top chefs in cooking demonstrations. Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and more than a dozen top-ranked restaurants – Amalia, The Palm, Barbounia, Anthos, davidburke&donatella – all had chefs on hand to prepare mouthwatering dishes such as mini crab cakes with Aleppo mayonnaise and braised short ribs with sea salt and butterscotch-carrot puree.

Aquavit chef Marcus Samuelsson, whose new African restaurant opens in October, guided Roddick through the culinary process of making mango, raisin and jalapeño couscous with Moroccan-spiced lamb. Guest enjoyed stations and bars set up by Rums of Puerta Rico, Pilsner and Palm Bay Imports, while players participated in cooking demonstrations and mingled with guests in lounges spread throughout the hotel.

In addition to Andy Roddick, several other tennis professionals were in attendance. Nicolas Kiefer served up hamachi crudo, Tomas Berdych took a stab at sesame oil-spiked tuna, Mario Ancic drizzled oilive oil over steaks from the Strip House, Ashley Weinhold perfected Amalia chef Ivy Stark’s crab cakes and Rapahel Nadal simply enjoyed the food.

The event also showcased a silent auction with incredible sports memorabilia such as boxing gloves signed by Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, a signed poster of Dale Sayers and ice skates signed by the controversial Tonya Harding.

AYS, a company specializing in creating, managing and marketing unique sports and entertainment related events, hosted the event. President and event founder, Judi Lerner, said, “This event has grown each year and we’ve found the players and chefs really look forward to it.”

If you’d like to test your own culinary expertise, below are several of recipes that were prepared during the event.

Berbere-Crusted Rack of Lamb with Mango Couscous Makes 6 to 8 servings

From chef Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit (made with help from Andy Roddick at Dacor Taste of Tennis)

1/2 cup olive oil
11 1/2 tablespoons coarsely chopped rosemary
1 large garlic clove, smashed
2 frenched racks of lamb (1 1/2 pounds each)
3 tablespoons Berbere or mild chili powder
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons beaten egg yolk
1/4 cup fine breadcrumbs
1 to 2 tablespoons dry red wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon dry red wine
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Combine the oil, rosemary and garlic in a large zipper-lock bag. Add the lamb, then seal the bag, forcing out the excess air. Marinate in the refrigerator for 8 to 24 hours, turning the bag several times.

Preheat the oven to 400. Make the berbere paste: Stir together 1 tablespoon of the Berbere (or chili powder), the mustard, yolk and breadcrumbs in a small bowl, then add enough wine to make a paste. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Remove lamb from the marinade; discard the marinade. Heat a dry 12-inch heavy sauté pan over high heat until very hot. Reduce the heat to medium-high and brown the lamb, one rack at a time, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer, fat side up, to a large roasting pan.

Smear the Berbere paste on the fat side of the lamb. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the rack reads 125 for medium-rare, about 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer the lamb to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.

While the lamb is roasting, toast the remaining two tablespoons Berbere in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until very fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chicken stock and wine and bring to a boil, then boil until reduced to the consistency of a sauce. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter bit by bit until incorporated. Serve with the lamb.

Mango Couscous Makes 4 cups

1 cup couscous
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 garlic clove, minced
1 mango, peeled, pitted and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 1 cup)
1 jalapeño, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1 ripe tomato, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup loosely packed small cilantro sprigs, chopped
1/4 cup loosely packed small parsley sprigs, chopped
Salt

Prepare the couscous according to the package directions. Set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Add the garlic, mango and jalapeño and sauté until the mango begins to color lightly. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, the couscous, raisins, tomato, lime juice, cilantro and parsley and toss to heat through. Season with salt. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Tennis Star Roddick Takes Time for Charity

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:33:21 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

If you think Andy Roddick spends all his free time on the tennis court, think again. He may be ranked 5th in the world on the court, but the tennis star is slowly inching his way to the number one spot in terms of giving back to the community.

Next month will see the third annual Andy Roddick Foundation Charity Gala, and Roddick will be joined by music icon Sir Elton John. Roddick will host the evening’s festivities, which will include an auction, dinner and an intimate concert with Elton John. Executive Chef Mark Dayanandan, winner of this year’s Diamond Chef Award, will be creating a special dinner for the Gala.

The event takes place on October 14th, 2007 at the Hilton Austin and will benefit several organizations in Austin and central Texas. For sponsorship opportunities and more information contact the Andy Roddick Foundation at (561) 620-9449 or check out www.arfoundation.org.

On October 3rd in San Antonio Texas, Roddick will be at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Andy Roddick Youth Tennis Program. The event will begin at 3:30 PM at the tennis courts of Our Lady of the Lake University and Andy will take to the courts for roughly a half an hour.

The Andy Roddick Youth Tennis Program first launched at the Cleto Elementary School in early September. The Program was well received by over one hundred participants who have been attending weekly tennis clinics and speaker sessions focused on nutrition, academics, life values, social interactions and mentor relationships.

On April 26, 2007, Andy Roddick, and the Andy Roddick Foundation received the Arthur Ashe Prestigious Leadership Award from the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health for their dedication to improving the lives of children in need. And would you be surprised to learn that Roddick is the first male tennis player to receive this award?

Founded in 2000, the Andy Roddick Foundation has raised over six million dollars for various Southern Florida and Austin based children’s organizations. The nonprofit Andy Roddick Foundation strives to improve the quality of life and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all children based on the principles of respect for family, education and morality.

Look To The Stars News: Andy Roddick

Stars Line Up For Andy Roddick Annual Charity Event

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