16th Annual Arthur Ashe Kids Day to Kick Off the 2011 U.S. Open

July 28, 2011 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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The USTA has announced that reigning U.S. Open Champions Rafael Nadal and Kim Clijsters, world number one ranked Novak Djokovic, former U.S. Open Champion Andy Roddick and the 2010 U.S. Open Wheelchair Champion David Wagner will team up with actor Bradley Cooper, New York Knicks All-Star Carmelo Anthony, and pop star Cody Simpson at the 16th Annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess Saturday, August 27 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., from 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Hosted by TV personalities La La Anthony and Quddus, the show will feature more musical guests and tennis stars set to be announced in coming weeks. The popular full-day tennis and music festival for children and adults alike includes interactive games, musical entertainment and tennis activities. It will also feature performances from up-and-coming stars including Girls Nite Out, Action Item, Jacob Latimore and Nickelodeon’s The Fresh Beat Band. Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day Presented by Hess will kick off the 2011 U.S. Open, which runs from Aug. 29-Sept. 11.

From 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., kids and their families can experience an exciting schedule of free tennis games, live music and attractions taking place throughout the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Inside Arthur Ashe Stadium from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., the live tennis and music show will feature fun exhibition matches and skills competitions with Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Kim Clijsters, Andy Roddick, David Wagner and other top players and celebrities with musical performances by Cody Simpson and more.

Stadium show tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster at (866) OPEN-TIX, usopen.org and at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center box office. American Express is the official card of Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. General admission promenade tickets cost $10 and loge tickets are $20. Arthur Ashe Kids Day will be broadcast nationally by CBS on Sunday, Aug. 28, from noon-1:30 p.m (ET). Kids 12-and-under with stadium show tickets will receive a free Arthur Ashe Kids Day hat from the USTA and Hess on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We are excited to kick off the 2011 U.S. Open with the biggest names in sports and entertainment at the 16th Annual Arthur Ashe Kids Day presented by Hess,” said Harlan Stone, chief business and marketing officer for the USTA. “We look forward to serving up a day of family fun as we celebrate the life of a tennis legend whose mission was to empower kids through sport and education.”

Over the years, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day has featured many of music’s biggest acts including Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Sean Kingston, Jordin Sparks, Britney Spears, Ne-Yo, Gavin DeGraw, Jessica Simpson, Backstreet Boys, Bow Wow and Hanson.

This year’s lineup will feature:

►Bradley Cooper: Cooper recently completed production on the thriller, The Words and later this month will begin production on the independent drama The Place Beyond the Pines. Later this year, Cooper will begin production on Paradise Lost for Legendary Pictures. Cooper will play Lucifer in the adaptation of John Milton’s epic 17th-century poem “Paradise Lost.” Cooper was recently seen reprising his role as Phil in Warner Brothers’ The Hangover Part II, director Todd Phillips’ follow-up to 2009’s smash hit The Hangover. Earlier this year Cooper starred in Relativity’s hit drama Limitless, opposite Robert De Niro and directed by Neil Burger.

►Carmelo Anthony: Carmelo Anthony has not only been one of the top scorers in the league, he has also diversified himself as a player, a family man, a businessman and a philanthropist. Prior to being drafted 3rd overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, Melo led the Syracuse Orangemen to their first ever National Championship. Once in the league, Anthony led the Nuggets to two divisional titles and to the playoffs every season since his rookie year. He also served as co-captain for the USA National team that took home the Gold Medal during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the ultimate token of redemption, success and global recognition for the NBA All-Star and two-time Olympian. This past season, Melo led the New York Knicks to their first playoff appearance since 2004, while bringing much needed life and energy back into the Garden.

►Cody Simpson: Cody Simpson began posting YouTube videos of himself at age 12 performing covers of songs by artists who inspired him, including Justin Timberlake, Jason Mraz, and The Jacksons. Cody’s YouTube Channel, active since August 2008, now boasts nearly 70 million views and more than 250,000 subscribers. In April 2010, Cody signed with Atlantic Records, which released his debut EP, “4U” highlighted by the rhythmic pop singles “All Day” and “iYiYi” featuring Flo Rida. This past May Cody released his latest single, “On My Mind” which skyrocketed to #1 on Radio Disney. Cody was a featured performer at the 2010 Australian Kids’ Choice Awards and just recently wrapped up a nationwide co-headlining tour alongside Greyson Chance. Cody’s full length Atlantic Records debut will arrive everywhere this September.

Interactive Activities with prizes include:

►Hess Get Pumped Up Festival Stage: Features up-and-coming musical stars Girls Nite Out, Action Item, Jacob Latimore and Nickelodeon’s The Fresh Beat Band.
►The Hess Express Obstacle Course: Kids test agility, balance, running and tennis skills.
►Nike: Tennis and skill activities on two courts featuring Nike sponsored athletes.
►IBM: Two radar guns on court test the speed of kids’ serves.
►10 & Under Tennis: A chance for kids to learn real tennis and have real fun doing it. 10 & Under Tennis follows almost every other youth sport and uses racquets, balls and courts that are sized right for kids so that they enjoy the game right from the start.
►USTA Serves/Aetna Tennis Skills: This court will have six to eight various stations for very young kids or special populations. Stations may include things like rolling the ball with a racquet and bouncing a koush ball.
►Xerox Beat the Pro: Kids will have the chance to challenge the pros on this fast-paced court.
►Player Practices, Player Autographs, Face-Painting, Hair Braiding, Juggling & Plate Spinning, Stilt-Walkers, Balloon Artists and more.

The USTA recently launched a new interactive, kid-friendly website for Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. For more information on the event, log on to www.arthurashekidsday.com, “like” the official Facebook page or follow @AAKidsDay on Twitter. In the event of inclement weather, ticket holders can log on to any of the sites listed above for the most up to date information.

The 2010 U.S. Open drew more than 710,000 fans, maintaining its position as the highest attended annual sporting event in the world. More than 85 million viewers watched the 2010 U.S. Open on CBS Sports and ESPN, and international broadcasts reached 180 countries. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is the presenting sponsor of the U.S. Open women’s singles championship. Mercedes-Benz USA is the presenting sponsor of the U.S. Open men’s singles championship.


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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