Going Strong

Chris Evert – one of the greatest tennis players of all time and a longtime Boca Raton resident – retired from professional tennis in 1989.

After she put down her racquet, she picked up another. And, along with friends, she started the Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic. 

Thirty years later, it has become one of South Florida’s longest-running charity events hosted by a former professional athlete and has raised more than $25 million in the campaign against drug abuse and child neglect in Florida. This year’s event takes place Nov. 22-24.

“It’s hard to imagine, looking back 30 years ago, that this event would grow to become such an important fundraiser for the community,” Evert says. “With the opioid epidemic hitting so hard right here in South Florida, the tennis classic is more important than ever.”

The Pro-Celebrity event pairs celebrities and tennis pros for two days of tennis at the Delray Beach Tennis Center. Participants include International Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova, actor Chris Noth, stylist and TV personality Carson Kressley, Indianapolis 500 winner Hélio Castroneves, comedian Jon Lovitz, musician David Cook, actor Shawn Hatosy, actor Tate Donovan, actor Jamie McShane, actress Maeve Quinlan and ATP Doubles Champion Luke Jensen.

The highlight of the entire event is the gala at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, which includes dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, and entertainment by the legendary Barry Gibb.

The Boca Raton Observer is an event sponsor. O

For more information, call 561-394-2400 or visit chrisevert.org.