WTA icon Rosie Casals hosted her annual Annalee Thurston Award Reception at Palm Valley Country Club during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Pam Shriver was the emcee, and Billie Jean King also attended the event.
This celebrated yearly charity event successfully raised approximately $100,000 for the Love & Love Tennis Foundation. Casals and former player Tory Fretz established the foundation in 2015 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, acknowledges exceptional women who have significantly contributed to tennis. This year, Tracy Austin was honored with the award.
Beyond her Hall of Fame career as a player, former World No. 1 Tracy Austin has remained a dedicated advocate for tennis. She is well-known for her broadcasting work with Tennis Channel and other networks, as well as her philanthropic endeavors.
“I am grateful to Rosie, Billie Jean, and the Original 9 for paving the way for me and subsequent generations,” Austin expressed upon receiving her award. “I belong to the first generation that directly benefited from their pioneering efforts.”
Austin further added, “The WTA promoters and staff, including Annalee, were essential in making my career possible. 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 sincerely.”
Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the WTA Foundation’s Champions for Change Award 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 was created to honor individuals and organizations that have had a transformative impact on tennis.
In the early 1970s, Spooner graduated from San Diego State University with degrees in Physical Education and English, along with a certification from the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA). She was one of only ten certified female athletic trainers in the United States at the time.
Valerie Ziegenfuss, an Original 9 member and close friend of Spooner since junior high, recommended Spooner for a position with the WTA in 1974. This led to Spooner becoming the first trainer for the Virginia Slims Circuit, initially intended as a brief assignment of three to four months, but it evolved into a decade-long career on the international tour.
Kathleen Stroia, the current WTA Senior Vice President of Performance Health, introduced Spooner, stating, “The players today directly benefit from the foundation laid by Connie during her time with the WTA Tour. She passed the torch to Donna Pallulat, who is present with us today, and subsequently to me.”
Stroia explained, “When I was appointed, the WTA had only four athletic trainers for the entire tour. Today, we have 16 full-time and 30 part-time certified athletic physical therapists, as well as massage therapists and mental health providers at every tournament. Furthermore, players now have access to dietitians and women’s health specialists.”
“We would not be where we are today without Connie’s initiative and determination to enter the field of sports medicine.”
Upon each recipient being named a Champion for Change, a $10,000 donation is made to a nonprofit organization selected jointly with the WTA Foundation. Spooner’s donation was directed to the Love & Love Foundation.
Former WTA players who joined in the celebrations included Tracy’s sister Pam Austin, Diane Desfor, Raquel Giscafre, Barbara Jordan, Robin Tenney, Heather Ludloff, and Mariaan de Swardt.
