Anguilla Tennis Academy staff work with Agassi & Roddick

Former US Open Champion Andre Agassi and current champion Andy Roddick were on hand recently in New Orleans, Louisiana for an exhibition match to benefit the new Emril Legassi Foundation. Anguilla Tennis Academy President, Mitch Lake and Executive Director, Bill Riddle were part of the team that coordinated and ran the event that raised over $500,000 in one day for the Foundation.

The event entitled "Emril's Grand Bam" raised money for his charity which will help local kids in the New Orleans area with after school services and programs. "Being involved with an event like this is not only a great experience but a great opportunity to help kids get the services they need" said Lake, who was asked to help out by Riddle with the set up of the event.

The exhibition was played at the Municipal Auditorium in New Orleans where an entire championship court was constructed in one day just for this event. "I have been involved with a number of great pro events throughout the years but this one was one of the best" said Riddle. Riddle also commented that, "He was really excited about the opportunity to get Mitch involved with this event because we are looking at bring pro tennis to the island of Anguilla once the new facility is completed and this was ideal for him to see and experience".

Celebrity Chef, Emril Legassi was the host for the event and spent a great deal of time after the exhibition to meet and sign autographs for the fans with Agassi and Roddick. Lake and Riddle have been spending a great deal of time on the road lately promoting tennis and growing support throughout the United Sates for the Anguilla Tennis Academy's new facility and 2004 tennis camps. This event was just one of many events on their schedules for this winter.

Local resident and American Airline's employee, Millie Hodge has been instrumental in Lake and Riddle's travels and successes as of late with her assistance in getting flights for the pair. "Building support for the Anguilla Tennis Academy and this dream of a new facility has no clear route but when we put a lot of little activities and experiences together they equal success for our project and this was one of them" said Riddle.