Denver, September 24, 2002 – Tennis superstars Monica Seles and Martina Navratilova are set to play in an exhibition tennis match benefiting Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Colorado Chapter and the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center announced today.
The third annual Rebif MS Tennis Classic presented by The Denver Post, the only professional tennis match to visit the Rocky Mountain Region, returns Thursday November 14th at University of Denver’s Magness Arena, to benefit The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Colorado Chapter and the Rocky Mountain MS Center. All proceeds from the event, as well as any ancillary events, will fund research and programs for both of the Denver-based MS organizations.
We are thrilled the Rebif MS Tennis Classic is returning to Denver for its third year. This event has been such a wonderful success for our organizations,” said Dianne Williams, president of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Colorado Chapter.Williams continued, “Considering that 73 percent of those affected by MS are women, bringing in a professional women’s tennis event just makes sense for us.”
One in 800 Coloradoans are affected by Multiple Sclerosis. It is a chronic, often disabling disease of the Central Nervous System. Symptoms range from numbness in the limbs to paralysis or loss of vision. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, but the unpredictable physical and emotional effects can be lifelong.
Seles, returning after beating Russian player Anna Kournikova in 2 straight sets at last years event, will find herself across the net from tour legend Navratilova, undoubtedly providing for a very exciting event for tennis fans of all ages. Yugoslavian born, Seles is currently ranked number four in the world and resides in Sarasota, Florida. Seles is one of the most revered players on the tour with an exceptional fan base in Colorado. She has come back from serious obstacles, and has captured three of the four Grand Slams with nine total Grand Slam Titles.
Preliminary events for this year will include a free kids’s clinic hosted by Greenwood Athletic Club, featuring lessons from Denver’s Top Tennis Pros as well as a special appearance from Sanex WTA Tour legend Mary Joe Fernandez or current Tour player Corina Marariu, the former #1 doubles player who recently returned to the Tour following a successful bout with Leukemia. In addition, a press conference and player/sponsor party will be held on November 13th. The festivities of the main event on the 14th will begin when doors open at Magness Arena at 5:30p.m. with pro-sets beginning at 6pm. The main singles match will begin at 7 p.m., and the evening will finish up with a doubles pro-set featuring Mary Joe Fernandez and Corina Morariu.