Robb Crocker
Richmond.com
Thursday February 19, 2004

The Virginia Commonwealth University SportsCenter announced on Thursday that
they will host a pro exhibition match between Martina Navratilova and Monica
Seles in March as part of a series of tennis events in Richmond called
"Raise a Racquet."

The event will kick off on March 13 with a five day mixed doubles tournament
at VCU's Thalhimer Tennis Center. On March 21, the event will sponsor a
youth clinic for Richmond-city Girl Scouts at the Thalhimer Tennis Center.
In addition, on March 21, there will be a silent auction at the VCU's ALLTEL
Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center that will feature appearances by
Seles and Navratilova. The fundraiser auction will feature vacation getaways
and a LASIK eye surgery to name a few items.

Raise a Racquet will close on March 22 as Seles and Navratilova will play a
mixed doubles pro set with local professionals Carl Clark and Sean Steinour
and then face each other in a three-set singles match at the Siegel Center

The event's aim is to promote tennis in Richmond while raising money for
VCU, Advantage Virginia and The McCormack Foundation.

"This is going to be exciting for all of Central Virginia," commented VCU
Athletic Director Richard L. Sander. "We'll have a number of huge events
that will bring focus to something important."

One unique aspect of the event is that is being coordinated by 43 graduate
students at the VCU SportsCenter. The VCU SportsCenter, which was launched
in 1999, offers graduate students the opportunity to get a master's degree
in sports leadership.

"We're going to bring the community behind the event," explained VCU
SportsCenter spokeswoman and graduate student Kathleen Bowles. "The students
have had a hands-on role. It's an experience we're grateful for having."

Bowles said she's excited at the prospect of watching Seles play in the
exhibitions.

"Her ability is well respected and I'm looking forward to her coming into
town."

Seles, who participated in the afternoon press conference via conference
call, said despite her recent and past injuries, she's thrilled to be a
participant in the event and impressed with the participation of VCU's
SportsCenter students.

"It is fantastic that the students are managing the event," she said.

"I'll be very happy to be playing again. I haven't played in awhile," Seles,
who is recovering from a foot injury, explained. "It will be a fantastic
match with Martina with contrasting styles."

Seles last played competitively in the 2003 French Open last May and last
faced Navratilova over two years ago.

"Martina is one of the great players to play the game. She's a real
inspiration," said Seles, who has won nine Grand Slam singles titles since
she turned pro in 1989 at the age of 15. "We always had epic matches. Each
match has been very close and competitive."

Seles has won 53 singles titles and 6 doubles titles in her career.

Advantage Virginia, a beneficiary of the event, is in the process of
developing a program that will bring tennis, academic and tutoring
opportunities to children at a planned world class tennis facility in
Richmond. For the youth clinic, which will be held March 21, the advisor
ratio for the participants will be three youths to one advisor. Advantage
Virginia representative Tommy Cain, a former professional tennis player,
said Advantage Virginia is "excited to be the beneficiary of the proceeds."

Navratilova, who has turned pro in 1973, retired in 1994 and launched a
comeback recently, has won 167 singles titles, including 18 Grand Slam
titles, and 79 doubles titles. Her 167 singles titles are more than any man
or woman has won in professional tennis.

Seles leads the head-to-head competition between the two, winning ten of
their 17 matches.

Despite a career advantage, Seles has the utmost respect for Navratilova.

"She's unbelievable; not just how she plays," she commented. "She is still
winning Grand Slam events now. It's amazing how she's improved [since coming
out of retirement]."

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