Daily Racquet

Team Up Wth Adidas and Ana Ivanovic To Support UNICEF

Adidas and Ana Ivanovic have teamed up to create a new line of t-shirts with 100% of the profits going to benefit Unicef's "School without Violence" program.

The Adidas collection includes six different T-shirts divided into three categories:  women’s, girls’ and unisex.  It is a limited edition and the designs were chosen by Ana’s fans through online voting on her website.

 Ana’s favorite design is the “Never stop smiling” purple T-shirt, but she is also very fond of the Adidas unisex one.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

Venus Williams Goes Green At US Open

Two-time US Open Champ Venus Williams has designed an official limited edition US Open t-shirt as part of the USTA's wide-ranging green initiatives at the 2009 US Open.

The colorful  tee features a Tennis Tree with "Green Your Game" on one side of the trunk and "US Open 2009" on the other side of the trunk. The eco friendly theme is printed on a 100% organic preshrunk cotton t-shirt. Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. The shirt also features double-needle stitching throughout and a seamless topstitched collar.

Willams, who won the US Open in 2000 and 2001, is designing the shirt as part of EleVen clothing line, which was launched in 2007.

A portion of the profits from the t-shirt will benefit Unisphere, Inc., the non-profit organization that maintains and preserves Flushing Meadows Corona Park, home of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Available online at USOpenshop.org.

Prince In The Park

If you live in the New York City area or know anyone coming to New York for the Open, check this out! It's guaranteed to be fun and a fantastic way to start your U.S. Open festivities!

On Sunday, August 30, the day before the start of the Open, the world's top touring pros will be at the public tennis courts in Central Park for the 2009 Prince Tennis EXO3bition.  You'll have the opportunity to see, learn from and even play with stars like Gael Monfils, Mike & Bob Bryan, John Isner, Sam Querrey, David Ferrer and legends Stan Smith, Paul Annacone, Roger Rasheed and Wayne Bryan. 

The event isn't limited to just tennis — music fans can meet and hear an exclusive, live performance by American Idol Season 7 finalist, Downtown Recording Artist, and former top-ranked Australian Prince Junior Team player, Michael Johns! This is shaping up to be one of the biggest tennis events of the year - and you are invited! So stop by or tell a friend to come and join Prince for a great day in the park.

In addition, you can bid on a private tennis lesson with the Bryan Brothers and other U.S. Open legends in NYC on August 30th, 2009!  Proceeds to benefit the City Parks Foundation.

For more information on the free public event, to learn how to bid on the private 30-minute lesson with the Bryan Brothers and other U.S Open legends, and an interactive map of Central Park Tennis Courts, fans and media can visit: www.princetennis.com/2009centralparkexo3bition.

Support Roger Federer and Unicef With "Federer-Bear" Beanie Baby

Show your support for Roger Federer, and help support UNICEF at the same time through the purchase of the "Federer-Bear" Beanie Baby. The "Federer-Bear," a take-home version of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and 2009 French Open Champion Roger Federer, is an official Ty Beanie Baby produced exclusively for the ATP by Ty.

Proceeds from the sale of each bear will benefit the "ACE" program (Assisting Children Everywhere), a global partnership between the ATP and UNICEF to help ensure health, education and protection of children around the world.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

Go Green With Watergeeks Filtered Sport Bottle

With a Watergeeks Filtered Sport Bottle you can have fresh, filtered water wherever you play, not to mention making great strides in saving our planet from too many plastic water bottles! Made with food grade, BPA free plastic, this 16 oz. filtered water bottle will treat up to 80 gallons of water, approximately 3 months of use under normal conditions. The level 2 filter removes chlorine, bad taste and odor, as well as a significant proportions of heavy metals, including lead, mercury, and copper. Simply fill bottle with water and drink.

Available online at Watergeeks.

Are You Sure? Tees Support American Heart Association

February is American Heart Month and to show their support, Are You Sure? is donating 10% of the revenue from the sale of all red tees in February to  the American Heart Association in the fight against heart disease.

This new apparel line is the brainchild of Christelle Williams. Like many tennis moms, Williams has spent countless hours chaperoning her daughters to junior tournaments. One day it struck her that “are you sure?” was echoed around the courts during matches.  She realized that it was one of the most commonly used phrases in tennis as a semi-polite way of responding to a questionable line call. Looking to put a humorous angle on the situation, Williams launched the sportswear line last Fall. The tees are made of durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton and are available for men, women and children in a variety of styles and colors. Custom orders and logos are for teams or clubs.

So your support for the American Heart Association with one of these spunky tees.

Available online at AreYouSure.net.

2009 Charitable New Year's Resolutions

Did you know that along with the usual and very predictable New Year's resolutions — spend more time with family and friends, be healthier and get organized — is giving more to charity. That's right — giving back is a high priority.

If you're looking for a few good tennis causes to donate to, we'd like to suggest a few of our favorites.

USTA Serves
The USTA Serves is a not-for-profit entity that is dedicated to improving the quality of life among our nation’s youth through tennis and education — with a mission that it encourages children to pursue their goals and highest dreams by succeeding in school and becoming responsible citizens. To see how you can contribute go to USTA Serves.

Tennis Against Breast Cancer
TABC is a tennis organization specially formed to expand awareness of breast cancer and raise funds to find a a cure. Through tennis and sporting events, TABC provides a means of raising funds which have benefited several organizations. Go to tennisabc.org to donate.  

Project Tennis Backboard
Project Tennis Backboard's mission is to make tennis backboards available at all schools, parks and public tennis facilities across America. Backboards are the perfect tool to introduce thousands of new players' specifically youth, to the game of tennis in a way they will enjoy a good level of success and encourage their lifetime participation. Go to projecttennisbackboard.com to learn more and see how you can help.

Thomas Blake, Sr. Memorial Research Fund
The Thomas Blake, Sr. Memorial Research Fund supports early detection research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering — the nation's preeminent cancer center. The Blake Research Fund invests vital seed money at the leading-edge of science: speeding the most promising work, and shortening the time it takes for discoveries at the lab bench to become better treatments at patients' bedsides. One hundred percent of every dollar donated to the Fund goes directly to cancer research. Join James in this his quest to raise money and give a gift that keeps on giving!

Check out these great causes and if you like what you see, consider sending a few dollars their way.

Thomas Blake, Sr. Memorial Research Fund, Charity of the Week

If you'd like to give a gift that keeps on giving during the holiday season, you might want to consider joining James Blake in his efforts to raise monies for the Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Research Fund, founded in memory of his father.

The Thomas Blake, Sr. Memorial Research Fund supports early detection research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering — the nation's preeminent cancer center. The Blake Research Fund invests vital seed money at the leading-edge of science: speeding the most promising work, and shortening the time it takes for discoveries at the lab bench to become better treatments at patients' bedsides. One hundred percent of every dollar donated to the Fund goes directly to cancer research.

How can you help? Simply purchase a J-block Tee or Hat.  All proceeds from the sale of J-Block merchandise will be donated to the Research Fund. The cotton t-shirts feature a large screen printed J-Block logo on the front, and James' fans signature chant on back. The hat features six-panel construction, absorbent sweatband, adjustable velcro back closure, and embroidered J-Block logo and Nike Swoosh.

And, for a limited time, you can you can bid on Blake's new Dunlop Aerogel 4D 300 Tour Racquet — signed by Blake himself — through his web site JamesBlakeTennis.com with all proceeds benefitting the Thomas Blake, Sr. Memorial Cancer Research Fund. YOU CAN HAVE IT (in time for Xmas no less)!  Send your bid to jamesblaketennis@gmail.com now! Bidding started at $250. Get in your bid by December 22nd!

Join James in this his quest to raise money and give a gift that keeps on giving!

Make It A Blue, Blue Christmas With New Nike Federer Logo Hat

Just in time to make it a blue Christmas — the popular Nike Federer RF logo hat is now available in baby blue and white.

The new baby blue and white hat features the monogram of Roger Federer embroidered on the face of the hat with Dri-Fit fabrication to wick away perspiration — there's a mesh insert around the head to control moisture. A velcro strap makes this hat adjust to fit most people.

Score one of these baby blues now, or you’ll be singing the blues with Elvis when they are sold-out!

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

The Andy Roddick Foundation, Charity of the Week

Andy Roddick is certainly known for his performance on the tennis court but his actions in the community through his foundation are worthy of celebration. This special non-profit organization founded by Roddick, in 2001, is committed to raising funds and to distribute those funds to institutions that care for children that are neglected, abused, at risk and with catastrophic illnesses.

This weekend, you will have the opportunity to join Andy, Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and John Isner for tennis, music and fun at one of his Rock-N-Racquet tour events — an annual tennis exhibition benefiting the Andy Roddick Foundation.

The tour is making stops in Louisville, Kentucky, Knoxville, Tenn. and Columbia, S.C. The entertaining line-up will kick off with a men’s singles match between Andy and  Isner. Following the women’s singles match between Williams and Wozniacki. The event will conclude with a mixed doubles match between the competitive foursome!

Join Andy for a good cause — proceeds from the tour will benefit his foundation. Individual tickets and great group rates are still available. Tickets are available online at rocknracquets.com.

Of course, donations are always accepted on Andy's foundation website any time throughout the year, not just the holidays.