Two-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka will reunite with winning 2008 French Open mixed doubles partner Bob Bryan this Saturday at the popular V-Grid Tennis Fest presented by Alexander Cadillac and Esurance and featuring Mike and Bob Bryan.
The all-time winningest doubles team in history and holders of 15 Grand Slam titles, the Bryan twins will once again entertain friends and fans alike in a day of tennis, music, food and wine tasting. Similar to years past, there will be a Pro-Am, exhibition matches and a concert featuring the Bryan Bros. Band.
HEROES & ZEROS: LLEYTON'S LATE SURGE, SIMONA'S HOMECOMING
“Of course we are really happy and thankful that our longtime pal, Vika Azarenka, is coming to help out our Foundation and play the event,” Bob Bryan said. “We had a blast playing mixed together at the French and what a thrill to win that title together.”
The Tennis Fest is headed up once again by Spanish Hills Country Club Tennis Director Dave McKinney and will be emceed by the twins’ father, Wayne Bryan. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Bryan Bros. Foundation. Over the past few years, more than $530,000 has been raised to support deserving kids and programs, specifically the Ventura County Junior Tennis Association led by Terry Lynch, and the Santa Barbara Tennis Patrons and CathyAnn Simon.
In the featured match of the day, Bob Bryan and Azarenka will take on Mike Bryan and one of the U.S.’s top juniors, Las Vegas’ Kimberly Yee, who recently received junior tennis’ highest honor by winning the Bill Talbert Sportsmanship award at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Other tennis stars playing in the Pro-Am include Hall of Famer and former world No. 1 Tracy Austin; two-time winner of the French Open doubles, Hank Pfister; four-time Grand Slam winner, Olympic gold medalist and No. 1 doubles player in the world, Ken Flach; former Roland Garros doubles finalist, Jeff Tarango; and former UCLA All American and NCAA singles finalist, Tony Graham.
Added Mike: “Our young juniors girls will love being able to see Vika play up close. It will be a great inspiration to them. Vika is such a wonderful role model for up and coming juniors. She is really nice and has a sense of fun. Like, Bob, I am so glad she will be playing and adding so much to the event.”
The day after the TennisFest, the Bryans will play three home matches of Mylan World Team Tennis action for their new team, the San Diego Aviators, July 20, 22 and 23 at the Valley View Casino Center (formerly the San Diego Sports Arena).
A limited number of tickets are still available for the 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. V-Grid event, which will be held once again at the picturesque Spanish Hills Country Club in the twins’ hometown of Camarillo, Calif. Log onto www.bbtennisfest.com for more information or to purchase tickets.