Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova will host a tennis event that will feature fellow tennis players and celebs in Los Angeles. The event, which is billed as “Maria Sharapova & Friends,” is presented by luxury automobile manufacturer Porsche.
The five-time grand slam champion will be joined by budding tennis stars Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens and Laura Robson as well as veterans Kei Nishikori, Jack Sock, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang. Victoria’s Secret model Karlie Kloss and American comedienne and host Chelsea Handler have also confirmed their attendance.
In an interview with WTA Tennis, Sharapova said “It’s been a long-term goal of mine to host my own tennis event and bring professional tennis back to Los Angeles. I want to thank my great partner Porsche for believing in this project from the beginning, along with the players, entertainers and sponsors that are supporting Maria Sharapova & Friends. I hope the fans enjoy the highly competitive tennis, comedy and entertainment, and walk away having had a great weekend.”
The two-day event line-up is as follows:
Saturday, December 12 includes:
Mixed Doubles (Roddick & Robson vs Chang & Keys)
Men’s Singles (Roddick vs Chang)
Women’s Singles (Sharapova vs Keys)
Celebrity Mixed Doubles (Sharapova & Will Arnett vs Roddick & Chelsea Handler)
Sunday, December 13 includes:
Mixed Doubles (Sharapova & Nishikori vs Robson & Sock)
Women’s Singles (Keys vs Stephens)
Men’s Singles (Nishikori vs Sock)
Celebrity Mixed Doubles (Sharapova & Chelsea Handler vs Sock & TBD)
A percentage of the proceeds from the event will go towards the Maria Sharapova Foundation, which raises money for underprivileged kids around the world.
“Maria Sharapova & Friends” will take place at the UCLA Tennis Center. To purchase your tickets, click here. For those of you unable to make it to the event, it will air at 2 p.m. pacific standard time or 5 p.m. eastern standard time on the Tennis Channel.
