Popular Player Joins Hall of Famers Jimmy Connors, Jim Courier and Bud Collins

BOCA RATON, Fla. (June 19, 2006) --- In yet another first for the 2006 Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic, Anna Kournikova, one of the most popular and marketable players in the history of women's tennis, will make her first appearance at the annual South Florida event, November 3-5, at the Delray Beach Tennis Center in Delray Beach, Fla.

Kournikova will join tennis legend Jimmy Connors and Hall of Famers Jim Courier and Bud Collins for two days of entertaining tennis action. Additional participants are expected to be announced over the coming weeks.

Evert's annual charity weekend has raised more than $14.2 million over 17 years to fight drug abuse and assist neglected and abused children in Florida, including a record-tying $1.2 million in 2005.

"It looks like the tennis stars have aligned for us this year," Evert said. "I have always wanted Anna to participate in our event and finally the timing worked out this year. To have her, along with the rest of our field, helping us raise funds for such a worthwhile cause is truly something special."

Kournikova is a winner of 16 career doubles titles, including two Grand Slam titles. She paired with Martina Hingis to win the 1999 and 2002 Australian Open doubles championships and the duo combined to win two WTA Championships doubles crown (1999, 2000). Once ranked as high as No. 8 in the world in singles, Kournikova posted wins over several top players, including Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Hingis and Lindsay Davenport. In 1997 she became the second woman in the Open era to reach the semifinals of Wimbledon in her debut on the famed grass courts. The first person to accomplish that feat was Chris Evert in 1972.

Collins, who is one of the most recognized and respected voices in tennis, was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994. The popular Boston Globe columnist, author and television commentator is one of the most loyal supporters of Evert's event.

Tickets for the 2006 Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic, held in association with the Chris Evert Children's Hospital at Broward General, are currently available through Chris Evert Charities at 561/394-2400 or at www.chrisevert.org. Individual series tickets are $70 and individual single day seats are $20 and $40. Box seats range from $90 to $900.

The weekend of activity includes a Dinner Gala on Saturday, Nov. 4. Individual tickets and patron packages for the Gala, ranging from $750 to $35,000, are currently available through Chris Evert Charities. The star-studded evening will feature silent and live auctions, celebrity guests and nationally known entertainment. In past years, the Gala entertainment has included Michael Bolton, Gloria Estefan, Bruce Hornsby, Whitney Houston and Olivia Newton-John.

During the past 16 years, many of the biggest names in sports and entertainment have participated in Evert's event including former President George Bush, Dr. Phil, Greg Norman, Matthew Perry, Regis Philbin, Chevy Chase, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Brooke Shields, Jennifer Capriati, John McEnroe, Monica Seles, Martina Navratilova and Andy Roddick.

The tennis competition is scheduled for 11 a.m. on both Saturday, Nov. 4, and Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Delray Beach Tennis Center. For more information on the 2006 Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic, call 561/394-2400 or visit www.chrisevert.org.

Evert's annual charity event is held in association with the Chris Evert Children's Hospital at Broward General. Delta is the official airline of the 2006 Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic. Official sponsors include Clear Channel, Marchon Eyewear, Mercedes-Benz of South Florida, Palm Beach Post and Rolex.