Evert happy charity tourney is staying in Delray Beach
Three-day event has raised more than $23M in its 28 years.
DELRAY BEACH — Chris Evert, the 18-time Grand Slam champion and International Tennis Hall of Famer, wants to keep her annual charity tournament in Delray Beach. And her new contract invites her to do so until 2022.
Evert couldn’t appear in person last week when the Delray Beach City Commission considered extending its sponsor contract for Evert’s 28-year-old charity tournament, hosted at the Delray Beach Tennis Center. Instead, Evert sent a video message to Delray leaders, asking for support.
“Well-known celebrities and my tennis-playing friends have really supported this event year after year and have really looked forward to participating in this event,” Evert said in her message, recorded while at the French Open, which ended Sunday.
Delray Beach has sponsored the Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic for more than 20 years, giving between $40,000 and 60,000 a year. The contract between Delray and Evert’s nonprofit extends the partnership through 2022.
The three-day event has raised more than $23 mil- lion over the years, funding Chris Evert Charities, one of South Florida’s longest-running charities hosted by a former professional athlete.
The event specifically benefits drug-abuse causes, raising money for local and national nonprofits aimed at “giving people a second chance in living and also in saving many, many lives,” Evert said.
Evert said in her message that she’s grateful for the partnership with Delray Beach and excited to bring the event back for five more years.
The event will be held at the Boca Resort & Club and the Delray Beach Tennis Center, and includes a pro-am, a charity gala and two days of pro-celebrity tennis.