October 15, 2009|By Sandra McKee | Sandra McKee,sandra.mckee@baltsun.com
Hall of Famer and Baltimore native Pam Shriver approaches her annual charity tennis classic in much the same way the U.S. Postal Service goes about delivering mail. Nothing is going to stop it.
"I think there is still a great desire to have that one fun night of tennis in Baltimore, and I'd like to see us reach 25 years," said Shriver, who will host the event for the 24th time Dec. 9 at 1st Mariner Arena. "And if it has to stop, I want a better reason for not having it than that the banks are having an economic downturn. We still have to go out and have our fun."
Shriver is the event's major guarantor this year, a shift from the past 23 years, when one bank or another - five of them all together - sponsored it. But this year, PNC Bank declined to renew its sponsorship, and no one else has stepped forward to attach its name to the event, which benefits the Baltimore Community Foundation in partnership with children's charities.
So Shriver, with her full-speed-ahead approach, is renaming the event the BCF Tennis Challenge and will personally make up the difference for any financial shortfall it might encounter.
The event, which is being billed this year as "Giant Killers Coming to Baltimore," will be headlined by teenage sensation Melanie Oudin, 18, who upset three seeded players - including No. 4 Elena Dementieva and No. 29 and former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova - at this year's U.S. Open before losing in the quarterfinals; John Isner, who beat No. 5 Andy Roddick in five sets in the Open's third round to establish himself as a true contender; and doubles stars Mike and Bob Bryan, who have a career Grand Slam and seven major titles.
"I'm a little more on the hook because of our sponsorship situation," Shriver said. "But I think this is a great way for the foundation to get more exposure. The Baltimore Community Foundation has been our charitable partner since 1990, and I've always thought they needed a higher profile. It can only be a good thing."
Over the past 23 years, the tournament has made more than $4 million for BCF charities.
"We're very excited about it," foundation CEO Tom Wilcox said. "We've been partnering with Pam in this event for many years. The proceeds go to the Tennis Challenge Funds at BCF, and we administer grants to various children's charities. We're delighted to be in the title this year."
Shriver said the people of Baltimore are stepping up to help fund the event. Orioles owner Peter Angelos has doubled the club's commitment, and MASN, of which the Orioles are the principal owner, is putting together a sponsorship package. The Baltimore Sun, which was the event's presenting sponsor all 23 previous years, will continue in that role.
"The economy has made everything more challenging for individuals and businesses," Shriver said. "But we're getting a lot of support, and it's exciting to be able to bring the brightest new star in U.S. women's tennis, a couple of old pals in the Bryans, and John Isner, who was here [in 2007] when he was just beginning to be known and now, when he has stepped up his conditioning, [has] shown the talent that everyone thinks will make him a consistent threat at the majors."
Shriver said there are still a few pieces of the puzzle to finalize. Players for the Orioles Challenge have to be determined. Opponents for Oudin and Isner must be found. Shriver said she has junior tennis star Sloane Stephens waiting in the wings, as well as Bob Bryan, who once won the NCAA singles title.
But Shriver said she hopes to nab another top player next month when schedules have been sorted out.
"That's the way it is now," she said. "No one wants to commit until they see how it works into their schedule. Someone might miss qualifying for the year-end championships, someone might just want a good workout before going to the Austrian Open. And with our event being on a Wednesday night, that's an open date and gives us our best chance to pick up someone."
Tickets, ranging from $25 to $110, are available beginning today at the 1st Mariner Arena box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. They can also be purchased online at tennischallenge.org or ticketmaster.com.
