Maria Sharapova and Derrick Brooks are just a few who keep the action and laughs coming while raising $218,000 for hurricane relief.
By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published December 19, 2004
TAMPA - After Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks walked onto the tennis court Saturday afternoon at the St. Pete Times Forum, touring professional Angela Haynes handed him a racket. Wearing blue jeans and a white polo shirt, Brooks stood at the service line, took a handful of practice swings, stretched for a couple of seconds, then got coaching from Haynes and her doubles partner, Nicole Vaidisova.
It didn't work.
Taking a ferocious and cockeyed swipe at the ball, the NFL star smashed an attempted serve well out of play. A second try was significantly better, but after Brooks left the court and began signing autographs, he told a few fans, "Hey, that's not easy."
At times, though, the pros made it look that way.
Before an announced 4,224, WTA Tour standouts Maria Sharapova, Maria Kirilenko, Haynes and Vaidisova displayed the talents that have made them among the world's best players, and did so in the name of charity. Dubbed the Hurricane Tennis Slam, the exhibition raised $218,000 for the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund and featured appearances from Saddlebrook's Jennifer Capriati, Dade City native Jim Courier, renowned instructor Nick Bollettieri and Gov. Jeb Bush, once a standout tennis player.
"This," Bush said while addressing the crowd, "is a very important event."
Sharapova, 17, was the main attraction and the 2004 Wimbledon champion didn't disappoint. She easily defeated Haynes, 20, a promising American from California, 6-2, 6-1 while displaying the complete all-around game that has propelled her to No. 4 in the world rankings. Sharapova later teamed with 17-year-old Kirilenko, who also is Russian, to defeat Haynes and Vaidisova, 15. Sharapova and Vaidisova live and train in Bradenton.
"I just tried to keep the crowd entertained," Sharapova said.
Nobody did that better than Courier.
The man once ranked No. 1 in the world served as chair umpire during the doubles match and offered up his unique brand of commentary. Courier directed many of his playful taunts at Sharapova and during one exchange asked, "Hey, Maria, who are you dating these days?" Sharapova quickly replied, "Like I'm going to tell you."
Late in the match, Courier and Vaidisova, one of the sport's best young talents, switched places for a game. What made this all the more unique was Courier went on the court wearing his suit. It didn't seem to matter, though, as Courier hit several sharp volleys, then mockingly pointed at the players across the net. At one point, with K.C. & The Sunshine Band's Shake Your Booty playing, he did just that after turning his back to Sharapova and Kirilenko.
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, including Brooks.
"He needs a lot (of work)," Haynes joked after the event.
