I've been asked by the good folks at the International Tennis Hall of Fame to update you all on the ITHF gala, which takes place at the Waldorf-Astoria this Friday, starting at 6:30. The dinner will celebrate the sport and honor the 2006 induction class of Patrick Rafter, Gabriela Sabatini and Italian journalist/author Gianni Clerici.
Tickets are still available - note, though, that it's a black-tie affair. I've always found that I gripe and groan over BT, but once I rent that powder-blue tux with the black trim and clip on the pre-tied bow-tie and get in the swing of things, I'm glad I made the effort. A touch of elegance is a good thing, just ask Ray "Red Pants" Stonada. The great thing about dressing up rather than down, as is so popular these days (especially with the celebrities who get invited to the President's Box) is that it's also a simple sign of respect - the willingness to take the time and make the effort to contribute to the overall desire to help make an affair distinctive. So leave your retro pin-stripe baseball shirt at home, Spike; we all know you're The Man!
Now take a deep breath. Tickets are $650.00 a pop, but wait! The cost is tax deductible (as a charitable contribution to the Hall of Fame), and I will guarantee you this: the event will feature an absolutely eye-popping array of former champions and tennis personages - and they do mix and mingle freely during the cocktail hour. So think about ponying up, attending, and avoid getting a drink tossed in your face by, oh, Tracey Austin, or John McEnroe or Jim Courier, all of whom have confirmed attendance.
The highlight for the big spenders in the crowd (Tim?) will be the "live" auction, which features a hitting session with Pete Sampras, Stan Smith and Tim Mayotte; but be warned, previously sold hitting sessions brought 30k (Andre Agassi) and 26k (Jimmy Connors and, no, it Andy Roddick's wasn't the winning bid). Absentee bidding will be allowed on the Sampras hitting session. Other items include a round of golf with Courier (watch it, the guy is good!) at Winged Foot, an autographed BB King guitar (guess McEnroe was cleaning out the attic) and other not entirely tennis-related goodies.
The ITHF will also present John McEnroe with the first-ever Eugene L. Scott Award, named after the visionary tennis journalist. The award honors an individual who embodies Scott’s commitment to communicating honestly and critically about the game, and who has had a significant impact on the tennis world. Scott founded Tennis Week magazine and wrote the widely read and well-respected column, “Vantage Point.”
I'm planning to go with my wife, Lisa.
For Tickets, call 212-843-1740 or e-mail NewportInNewYork@hgnyc.com.