Gibson-Baldwin Grand Slam Jam Tennis Shootout

Friday, April 30 - 7pm

World Class Tennis & Music Team up for GSJ

The Erwin Center welcomes world-renowned tennis superstar Martina Navratilova and creator of the Gibson-Baldwin Grand Slam Jam Tennis Shootout, Jim Courier, in a competitive tennis exhibition on April 30. In addition, Navratilova and Courier will be joined by John McEnroe and Corina Morariu.

The Grand Slam Jam Foundation will donate their proceeds to benefit the Hope Foundation, a cancer research organization based in San Antonio, Texas. The Hope Foundation is dedicated to a cancer-free future by supporting the largest clinical cancer trials organization in the world – the Southwest Oncology Group.

Since its inception, the tennis exhibition has become an annual Austin event. Although Courier considered host cities like Los Angeles and Miami, in 2003 he told the Houston Chronicle he has no plans to move the Grand Slam Jam out of Austin.

"We have such positive momentum going here," Courier said. "That amount of support bodes well for keeping the event in Austin.”

In previous years the Grand Slam Jam has featured matches between professional tennis athletes, as well as doubles matches featuring non-tennis celebrities. Participants have included Pete Samprass, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Lance Armstrong, San Antonio Spur Sean Elliott and New York Yankee Paul O’Neill.

On top of the athletic talent, this unique sporting exhibition traditionally features performances from top names in music. In previous years Lee Roy Parnell, Gavin DeGraw, Eric Johnson, Endochine and Mike Mills from REM have been some of the talent to lend their skills to the event. Jam sessions have been held at popular Austin clubs, including Antone’s and La Zona Rosa, prior to the tennis matches.

Tickets for the Gibson-Baldwin Grand Slam Jam Tennis Shootout at the Frank Erwin Center, Friday, April 30 are $16, $26, $45 VIP and $75 Courtside and are ON SALE NOW at all Texas Box Office Outlets (includes H-E-B stores in Austin, Bastrop, Bee Caves, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and San Marcos; Ft. Hood Bldg. #136 and Renaissance Records in Killeen), charge-by-phone at 512/477-6060 or order on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com. THE FOLLOWING DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE ON ALL TICKET PRICES EXCEPT VIP AND COURTSIDE. NO DOUBLE DISCOUNTS: $2 off college and university student, faculty and staff with valid ID at the Erwin Center box office ONLY and $2 off for groups of 20 or more. Groups should call the Group Sales Department at 512/471-7744. Convenience charges may apply. All information subject to change. The Frank Erwin Center is a smoke-free facility. Convenient parking is available within walking distance in nearby state and university lots. For more information, call 512/471-7744. The Nextel Emergency Message Center is available on the arena concourse during this event. For emergencies only call 512/845-4213. uterwincenter.com