Think you can return Andy Roddick’s serve? Exchange groundstrokes with US Open women’s champion Kim Clijsters? The opportunity of a lifetime is up for grabs as The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne and Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center (the largest tennis facility of any Ritz-Carlton in the world) presents the one-of-a-kind Ultimate All-Star Tennis Experience Tuesday, March 23. Just 40 tennis aficionados will have the opportunity to test their skills in a Round Robin qualifying tournament, in which the top players earn a chance to play with and/or against the tennis legends Kim Clijsters, Andy Roddick, and Guillermo Canas and can forever tell friends they played against the world’s top players during the Sony Ericsson Open.
The courtside encounter is March 23 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and features more up-close-and-personal time with pros than ever seen in Sony Ericsson history. Participants will receive personal instruction and A-list tips from renowned player and coach to the tennis greats, Darren Cahill. Tennis legend and ESPN commentator Cliff Drysdale will provide commentary to all the action:
· Round Robin Tournament – The 40 participants will complete a round robin mixer, where each round changes partners and opponents. Participants will play a minimum of four-five rounds of double and mixed-doubles matches. The top six qualifiers will earn a once-in-lifetime opportunity to take on Power Server Andy Roddick (fastest serve on the circuit) or “Comeback Sweetheart” Kim Clijsters.
· Return on Roddick – The top three men will have their shot at returning the world’s fastest serves from Andy Roddick, who set the record 
with speeds of up to 155mph. Those that return two of three will win a Wilson racquet and a signed tennis ball.
· Challenge the Champ – The top three women will face 2009 US Open winner Kim Clijsters on the courts for a 2-point match. Those that claim one of the two points will also win a Wilson racquet and a signed tennis ball.
· The Ultimate Pro-Am – It’s double fun as the top four event sponsors have their pick of Roddick, Clijsters or Canas to compete in a doubles championship match.
· The Royal Court Exhibition – It’s a battle for the tennis throne, a Clijsters takes on Roddick and Canas in an exhibition to be remembered. The Queen of Tennis will fend off the men in a fast-paced attempt to capture baseline points. If either Roddick or Canas win two consecutive points, they usurp Clijsters to become King, but it promises to be an ongoing change of royal hands. The first King or Queen to accumulate 15 consecutive points will receive the official court crown.
Following the tournament, the players and pros will mingle over champagne, passed hors d’oeuvres and live music in the tennis garden.
“Cliff Drysdale’s expansive tennis program and state-of-the-art facility has created an unmatched tennis destination at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne and the unrivaled location for the Sony-Ericsson Open when the resort becomes ‘tennis headquarters’ for guests who want to be in the middle of the action,” says General Manager Derek Flint. “I can’t imagine a finer, more exciting way to kick off the tournament than creating an opportunity for guests and locals to take the court alongside the ultimate tennis trifecta.”
Player entry fees are well-priced at just $175 per person, which includes a two-hour round robin tournament, the chance to qualify for the “Return on Roddick” or “Clijsters Challenge,” plus three spectator passes and access to the champagne reception. Those who prefer to watch court-side may purchase a Spectator Pass for $45 per person, including viewing of all tournaments and exhibitions and invitation to the champagne reception.
For more information or to reserve a player or spectator slot, please contact Mark Chellas at 305.365.4300 or mark.chellas@ritzcarlton.com.
The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Miami’s only AAA Five Diamond resort, is just minutes from the city’s cosmopolitan center, yet feels like a secluded island getaway with its lush tropical gardens, infinity ocean views and the only South Florida beach on Dr. Beach’s Top Ten Beaches in the U.S. list. Connected to Miami by a picturesque causeway, the luxury resort is a renowned spa destination, has three global dining venues, which take guests on culinary journeys to Tuscany, Coastal Mexico and St. Tropez, and has the largest tennis center of any Ritz-Carlton in the world. The award-winning resort is recognized by Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Robb Report, Forbes, Tennis magazine and Golf Digest as among the world’s best hotels.
For additional information or reservations, call The Ritz-Carlton toll free at (800) 241-3333, the resort directly at (305) 365-4500, a travel professional or visit The Ritz?Carlton Web site at: www.ritzcarlton.com.
