Tennis Briefs(3): ATP Delray Commits, Evert Charity, Clearwater Festival

Free Clearwater Family Tennis Festival to Celebrate McMullen 40th Anniversary in Oct.

The Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex in Clearwater, Fla., will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a free tennis event for all ages on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All skill levels are welcome to participate in games for prizes such as a fast-serve contest and more.

Raffle drawings, food, Silver Sneakers sign-up and perks, membership specials, Pickleball lessons and other activities will be offered.

Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex is located at 1000 Edenville Ave. in Clearwater.

For more information call (727) 669-191 or go to www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/depts/parksrec/facilities/mtc.asp.

Raonic, Bryan Bros. Commit to 2016 ATP Delray Beach Open

Top 10 player Milos Raonic of Canada and Florida’s Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, will be part of the 2016 Delray Beach Open, an ATP World Tour Event, on Feb. 12-21, 2016 at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center.

Raonic has reached a career-best No. 4 in the world, and played in the 2014 Wimbledon semifinals, while the Bryans will be in search of their third straight title and fifth overall in Delray Beach.

The tournament’s pre-sale ticket drive coincides with the US Open (Friday, Aug. 28-Tuesday, Sept. 15). Fans will receive a 20 percent discount on daily individual reserved (sections A-J) and box seats purchased on line or at the tournament box office (in-person or over the phone).

“While we’ve had players in our draw who have higher career rankings, like former world No. 1s Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, no player has committed to the Delray Beach Open with a ranking higher than Raonic’s,” said Tournament Director Mark Baron. “He’s one of the bright young players on the ATP World Tour and the tennis world is enthusiastic about his game.”

The Delray Beach Open also includes an ATP Champions Tour event, which brings legends of the game into town for the opening weekend of the 10-day event.

For ticket info and more visit www.YellowTennisBall.com.

Celebrities Commit To 26th Annual Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic

The Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic, which raises funds to combat drug abuse and child neglect, will be holding its annual charity event the weekend of Nov. 20-22, 2015.

Since retiring from the professional game in 1989, the former No. 1-ranked Evert has raised nearly $22 million through the Pro-Celebrity Classic — including the $700,000 raised last year during its Silver Anniversary celebration.

Evert enlists the help of celebrity friends who join the fundraising efforts, and the 2015 event already has commitments from a long list of celebrities: comedian and political commentator Dennis Miller, singer-songwriter David Cook, actors Alan Thicke and Timothy Olyphant, actress Maeve Quinlan, and former WTA pro and International Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver.

Chris Evert Charities partners with the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, a public-private partnership blending state and private dollars and investing them in innovative, community-based programs that give children from the state of Florida a chance to live free from the ravages of drug abuse and neglect. Over the past 25 years, the charity has also funded 39 scholarships that have assisted recipients in attaining college degrees.

To purchase tickets or for more info visit the website at www.chrisevert.org.