Andy Roddick hosts seventh annual charity event

More than $2 million raised for Andy Roddick Foundation

Published December 11th, 2007

By Mario Sarmento
SPORTS EDITOR

The Seventh Annual Andy Roddick Charity Weekend concluded Sunday with exhibition matches between Roddick and friends James Blake, Maria Sharapova, Brenda Schulz and Dave Matthews Band member Boyd Tinsley at Boca Pointe Country Club Sunday.

Prior to the matches, it was announced that the stadium court would be named after Roddick, with a banner to be raised with his name on it when the fences are erected at the court.

Then, it was on to tennis.

Roddick teamed with annual guest Schulz against Sharapova and Blake while former Y-100 radio personality Foote was the chair umpire.

Roddick talked incessantly between points to Schulz, Sharapova and Blake, trading jokes and quips with the three competitors before every serve.

At one point, Roddick even did an imitation of Sharapova, complete with copying her serve and grunting as he hit each ball back.

That reduced Sharapova and the spectators to laughter, but the Russian responded by mimicking Roddick’s serve, down to sticking her butt out like the American usually does.

Roddick drew the biggest applause though when he returned a Sharapova ball around the post and down the line for a point.

Roddick and Schulz went on to an 8-6 win, but Roddick fell in the singles match against Blake, 6-3.

Sharapova didn’t play in the last mixed doubles match, as Tinsley took her place.

But before she left the court, she spoke about being at the event for the first time, as her schedule hadn’t allowed her to appear before.

“He (Andy) always talks about the foundation and is passionate about it,” she said. “He makes me want to work hard with my foundation.”

More than $2 million combined was raised between the gala and tennis this weekend, and the Austin event earlier this year.