Venus and Wozniacki to Lead Women’s Team in Florida “Battle of the Sexes” Exhibition
Venus Williams will co-captain a women’s team with Brenda Schultz-McCarthy, and Caroline Wozniacki in a "Battle of the Sexes" on the Stadium Court at the BallenIsles Club’s Sports Complex on Dec. 23. The "Mars vs. Venus Celebrity Tennis Exhibition," to benefit the Kids & Police Tennis Association (KAPTA) and the Police Athletic League (PAL), will pit the women’s team of Venus, Wozniacki, Schultz McCarthy and three other WTA circuit players, including Kacey Moore, ranked in Florida 14s, and WTA tour player Jaine Scheepens against a men’s team.
Co-captained by Palm Beach, Fla. County Deputy Sheriff Ira Peskowitz and Dick Stockton, formerly number eight in the ATP world rankings, the men’s team includes BallenIsles Head of Tennis Operations Frank Swope, Gaston Murray, nationally-ranked boys 18, Vince Baudat, ATP players Coach and Ricardo Acuna, winner of three doubles titles during his pro career.
The exhibition will follow a team tennis format with cumulative scoring and substitutions allowed after eight points in any match.
"I’m looking forward to playing in an event that will entertain BallenIsles members and benefit such a worthy cause," Venus said.
The tennis program at BallenIsles continues to attract a "Who’s Who" of former and current Grand Slam champions, including Venus and Serena Williams, Virginia Wade, Stan Smith, Fred Stolle, Mats Wilander, Brenda Schultz-McCarthy, Mikael Pernfors, Jimmy Arias, Aaron Krickstein, Van Winitsky, Gigi Fernandez and Alina Jidkova.
