WTA legend Rosie Casals hosted her annual Annalee Thurston Award Reception at the Palm Valley Country Club during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Pam Shriver was the emcee, and Billie Jean King also attended.
The charity event raised approximately $100,000 for the Love & Love Tennis Foundation. This foundation, established in 2015 by Casals and Tory Fretz, another former player, aims to support grassroots tennis and provide opportunities for young people in the Coachella Valley.
The Annalee Thurston Award, named after a respected former WTA marketing executive who passed away in 2007, recognizes outstanding women who have significantly contributed to tennis. This year, Tracy Austin received the award.
Beyond her Hall of Fame career as a player and former World No. 1, Austin has remained a strong advocate for tennis. She is known for her work as a broadcaster for Tennis Channel and other networks, as well as her charitable endeavors.
“I am grateful to Rosie, Billie Jean, and the Original 9 for paving the way for me and removing many obstacles,” Austin said upon accepting her award. “I was part of the first generation to benefit from their pioneering efforts.”
Austin continued, “The WTA promoters and staff, like Annalee, made everything possible for me. I am eternally thankful to these individuals who took risks to promote what has become the leading women’s sport globally.”
“I have always strived to give back to tennis as a way to show my appreciation. I eagerly anticipate continuing to enjoy every moment with my tennis family for many years to come. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Another highlight of the evening was the WTA Foundation’s Champions for Change Award presentation to Connie Spooner. Spooner is a pioneer in sports health, recognized as the first female athletic trainer in professional sports over 50 years ago.
The Champions for Change Award acknowledges individuals and organizations that have significantly transformed the sport.
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In the early 1970s, Spooner earned degrees in Physical Education and English from San Diego State University and certification from the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA). She was one of only 10 certified female athletic trainers in the U.S. at that time.
In 1974, upon the recommendation of Valerie Ziegenfuss, an Original 9 member and close friend, Spooner was offered a position by the WTA to become the first trainer for the Virginia Slims Circuit. Initially planned as a short-term role, it evolved into a ten-year career on the global tour.
Kathleen Stroia, the current WTA Senior Vice President, Performance Health, introduced Spooner, stating, “The players today benefit from the foundation Connie laid during her time with the WTA Tour. She passed the torch to Donna Pallulat, who is with us today, and then to me.”
“When I started, the WTA had four athletic trainers for the entire tour,” Stroia explained. “Now, we have 16 full-time and 30 part-time certified athletic physical therapists, along with massage therapists and mental health care providers at every tournament. Players also have access to dietitians and women’s health specialists.”
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“We wouldn`t be where we are today without Connie’s ambition and commitment to sports medicine.”
When a recipient is named a Champion for Change, a $10,000 donation is made to a nonprofit selected with the WTA Foundation`s mission in mind. Spooner chose the Love & Love Foundation for her contribution.
Former WTA players who enjoyed the event included Tracy’s sister Pam Austin, Diane Desfor, Raquel Giscafre, Barbara Jordan, Robin Tenney, Heather Ludloff, and Mariaan de Swardt.
Rupert Caldwell