Rosie O’Donnell, Britney Spears & Tennis Stars At Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day

Talk-show host Rosie O’Donnell, singer Britney Spears, Pete Sampras, Martina Hingis, John McEnroe and other top tennis stars headline the fourth annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Aetna, held Sat, Aug. 28 at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona park. Tickets for the 1999 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day are on sale now and are available through TeleCharge (1-888-OPENTIX), or at the USTA National Tennis Center box office. Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day is a day-long festival of kids’ activities including tennis clinics, games and musical entertainment. The day is highlighted by a program in Arthur Ashe Stadium co-hosted by O’Donnell and CBS’ Mark McEwen and featuring musical performances by teenage sensation Spears, as well as tennis exhibition matches showcasing the biggest names in tennis including Sampras and McEnroe.
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. on Aug. 28 (rain date: Aug. 29), two days before the start of the US Open, which runs from Aug. 30-Sept. 12. The Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day stadium show will take place from 12-2 p.m. and will then be broadcast nationally by CBS on Sun., Aug. 29, from 12-2 p.m. (ET). The event benefits the Arthur Ashe foundation. Over the last three years, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day has raised over $1 million for the Arthur Ashe Foundation and other children’s charities. "Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day has become the biggest and most anticipated special event on the tennis calendar and will once again kick off the US Open in style," said USTA Director of Marketing Pierce O’Neil. "The participation of Rosie O’Donnell, Britney Spears and the entire tennis community will ensure that tennis fans of all ages will be treated to a full day of exciting tennis, music and family fun." Tickets for Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day cost $5 for promenade and $15 for loge, one free kids 12-and-under ticket is available with the purchase of each promenade ticket upon request. Tickets to the Arthur Ashe Endowment for the Defeat of AIDS Brunch, which include a seat at the brunch and a courtside box seat, cost $!50 each. Kids 12-and-under will receive either a Fila t-shirt or a Nike hat on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, a special Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day kids’ meal (choice of hot dog or peanut butter and jelly sandwich along with a beverage, chips and a cookie) priced at $2 available at select concession stands. The kids’ day meal is courtesy of Restaurant Associates and the USTA. Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day honors tennis legend Arthur Ashe and continues his mission of promoting education and bringing the sport of tennis to kids. Kids’ activities include the IBM Speed Zone, American Express Skills Challenge, USA