“That hug means more to me than being in the Hall of Fame.” So spoke tennis legend Nick Bollettieri as he addressed the crowd that gathered at Bath and Racquet on Friday evening, April 26th to support Buddy Up Tennis Sarasota. Bollettieri was referring to the welcome hug that he received from Sarasota Athlete Sarah Davis.
Celebrating our STAR Athletes was the theme of the evening as the Sarasota Athletes opened the event with a Star Level Showcase spotlighting their skills on the courts. The Shooting Star Athletes even got to play a couple of points of unified doubles with Christian Harrison, previously #162 in the world.
Tennis players from all over Sarasota joined in the Benefit Clinic that followed the evening’s introductions by MC Ray Collins from WWSB ABC 7 News. The Sarasota Athletes jumped on the courts with the participants for friendly games of Lose Your Racquet, King of the Court, and a Fitness Challenge. We also welcomed Star Athletes from IMG Academy to the courts, as they joined our Athletes in the evening’s fun.
Our Athletes showed Bollettieri and the tennis community how we end every Buddy Up Tennis Clinic with a Buddy Up Tennis Cheer: “1-2-3 BUDDY UP TENNIS!”
With the support of the Sarasota Community and Sponsors, including our Lead Sponsor, Martek Partners Unlimited, we raised nearly $15,000 to support our Sarasota Athletes on the courts (Buddy Up Tennis), in the gym (Buddy Up Fitness), and at summer camp (Buddy Up Summer Camp)!
Click HERE to see how much fun we had with our Stars on the courts.