Three former WTA No. 1s will take to the court of the Free Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas in the second week of November as part of a fundraising tennis event.
Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka, and Kim Clijsters have answered the call to play at the San Antonio International Team Tennis Championships between 10 and 12 November. Azarenka and Clijsters will replace Elina Svitolina - currently injured - and Sofia Kenin, who is slated to play at the Billie Jean King Cup on those dates.
The three-day tennis event will feature two teams (San Antonio Smash taking on the Austin Capitals) consisting of some of the top stars at the highest level of professional tennis on the ATP & WTA Tours, in addition to NCAA and top-ranked Texas junior players.
The San Antonio Smash will be represented by seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams, who will play for the first time since a first-round exit at the US Open in late August, Victoria Azarenka, John Isner, Bob Bryan and ATP World No. 59 J.J. Wolf.
The Austin Capitals will be led by four-time major champion Kim Clijsters, Peyton Stearns, Gael Monfils, Mike Bryan, and Jack Sock. Moreover, college players from Texas along with top juniors from John Newcombe's Tennis Ranch and Austin Tennis Academy will also be part of the three-day spectacle.
"We are excited to welcome Victoria and Kim to San Antonio. This will not only be an amazing opportunity for tennis fans to see great champions compete, but also for area youth to have the opportunity to participate in clinics and learn the importance of hard work, discipline, and sportsmanship."
The proceeds from the event are expected to benefit children throughout Texas and beyond the borders, including Ukraine, by partnering with non-profit organizations and the charitable work of the participating players including the Elina Svitolina Foundation (Svitolina has been replaced in the field), the Bryan Brothers Foundation and the John Isner Foundation.