Martina Navratilova Added To Lineup For WTT Smash Hits

Written by: Staff on 2nd October 2012

Gaz de France WTA Open 2012 tennis tournament

Martina Navratilova Added To Lineup For WTT Smash Hits

epa03102741 Martina Navratilova from the USA in action during the legends exhibition match at the WTA GDF Suez Tennis Open 2012 in Paris, France, 12 February 2012. Martina Hingis from Switzerland and US Martina Navratilova played a doubles match against France's Amelie Mauresmo and US Monica Seles. EPA/STEPHANE REIX |

Martina Navratilova, one of tennis’ greatest champions, has been added to the all-star field for WTT Smash Hits, the annual charity event co-hosted by Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King.

Navratilova, a 59-time Grand Slam champion in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, was one of the participants in the first Smash Hits event in 1993 and will be making her 10th appearance.

Former doubles world No. 1 Mark Knowles and WTT veteran Jan-Michael Gambill will also join Navratilova, Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, Stefanie Graf, Christina McHale, No. 1 ranked junior Taylor Townsend and 2012 US Open junior girls singles champion Samantha Crawford in the event, set for Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.

This year’s event marks the 20th anniversary for Smash Hits, which has raised more than $10.5 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and various local AIDS charities since 1993. WTT Smash Hits will benefit EJAF and the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, and will also include a pre-match VIP Reception and Auction hosted by Allegheny Sports Medicine.

Knowles is a former world No. 1 in doubles and has won three Grand Slam men’s doubles titles and one mixed doubles crown. He has been a WTT standout during his 11 seasons with the Sacramento Capitals, earning Male MVP honors three times and leading the Caps to two of their six Championship titles. In April 2010, he became only the fifth player in ATP history to record 700 doubles wins.

Gambill reached career-high rankings of No. 14 in singles and No. 23 in doubles during his ATP Tour career, capturing three singles titles and five doubles crowns. Gambill has played eight seasons of WTT, his last five as a member of the Boston Lobsters. He currently coaches former Lobsters teammate Coco Vandeweghe on the WTA Tour.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Billie Jean King, Christina Mchale, Jan Michael Gambill, Mark Knowles, Martina Navratilova, Sir Elton John, Stefanie Graf, Taylor Townsend, Tennis News, WTT Smash Hits