Pam Shriver is proud of her Baltimore background ? and the feeling is mutual. Now living in California with her husband, former James Bond star George Lazenby, and their three young children, Baltimore still holds a special place in her life. In 1978 she skyrocketed to fame by reaching the women?s singles finals at the U.S. Open at 16, eventually racking up 133 major titles. She is in town this week to mark the 21st anniversary of the Pam Shriver Mercantile Tennis Challenge, a charity event that she founded.
Examiner: This is a big week for you and Baltimore. Tell our readers about your Charity Tennis Challenge.
Shriver: Baltimore plays a huge part in my life, even though I don?t live here now. I have a deep appreciation for my hometown. When I was growing up, tennis was an anchor and stabilizer. I?ve always been a sports fan ? of the Baltimore Colts, now Ravens, and the Orioles. I wanted to give back to the community. The Tennis Challenge is tonight at the 1st Mariner Arena. (Tuesday night was the Rock-n-Racquets Reception and Auction at the Hippodrome Theatre. The Tennis Pro-Am is this morning.)
Examiner: What motivated you to found this tournament?
Shriver: It was back in the mid-80s, and I was about seven or eight years into my pro career. I wanted to do something community oriented, and came up with the idea of a charity event. With a lot of help, the pieces were put together and the first tournament was held in 1986. The proceeds originally went to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, because my friend [Baltimore native, sportswriter and Baltimore Examiner columnist]Frank Deford lost his 8-year-old daughter Alex to the disease. Since 1990, the Baltimore Community Foundation has been the beneficiary, which distributes proceeds to children?s charities. We altered the format to a one-night exhibition event held at the 1st Mariner Arena.
Examiner: You have raised more than $4 million for local children?s charities. What is your hope for this year?
Shriver: Between the Rock-n-Racquets Reception and Auction and the tennis, we hope to bring in about $300,000. I have a great team here in Baltimore who work on the event 12 months of the year.
Examiner: How old were you when you first picked up a racquet?
Shriver: I was 3 years old. My parents played socially. In the ?60s and ?70s tennis was really growing in popularity. When I was 5, 6, 7, I could play sets. I played against older kids and also against boys a lot. I played at our club L?Hirondelle, which is strong on tennis, and also in public parks in Baltimore County. Tennis is a great sport that way. It played a big part of my development in my early years in Baltimore.
Tickets for the event may be purchased online at www.tennischallenge.org, at the 1st Mariner Arena Box Office or TicketMaster Phone Charge 410-547-SEAT. Proceeds from the Tennis Challenge are donated by the Baltimore County Foundation to area children?s charities, including the Baltimore Tennis Patrons, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Living Classroom Foundation and Maryland Special Olympics.
Brooke Gunning is the author of several books and may be reached at [email protected].
