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 successfully raised approximately $100,000 for the Love & Love Tennis Foundation. This foundation, established in 2015 by Casals and fellow former player Tory Fretz, 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, is given to exceptional women who have made significant contributions to tennis. This year, Tracy Austin was the recipient.
Beyond her Hall of Fame career as a player and former World No. 1, Austin has remained a strong advocate for tennis. She is well-known for her broadcasting work with Tennis Channel and other networks, in addition to her charitable work.
“I am grateful to Rosie, Billie Jean, and the rest of the Original 9 for paving the way for me and future generations,” Austin said upon receiving her award. “I was fortunate to be part of the first generation that benefited from their pioneering efforts.”
The two-time US Open champion added, “WTA promoters and staff, like Annalee, made everything possible for me. I am eternally thankful to these individuals who took risks to promote what became the leading women’s sport globally.”
“I have always strived to give back to tennis to show my appreciation. I look forward to 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 presentation of the WTA Foundation’s Champions for Change Award to Connie Spooner. Spooner is a pioneer in sports health, recognized as the first woman 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 influence on tennis.
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In the early 1970s, when Spooner graduated from San Diego State University with degrees in Physical Education and English and a certification from the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA), she was one of only 10 certified women athletic trainers in the United States.
Based on a recommendation from Original 9 member Valerie Ziegenfuss, a longtime friend, Spooner was offered a position by the WTA in 1974 to become the first trainer for the Virginia Slims Circuit. Initially planned as a short-term assignment, it turned into a decade-long career traveling the world tour.
Introducing Spooner, Kathleen Stroia, the WTA’s current Senior Vice President, Performance Health, stated, “Players today benefit from the foundation Connie established during her time with the WTA Tour. She passed the torch to Donna Pallulat, who is here with us today, and then to me.”
“When I started, the WTA had only 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 nutritionists and women’s health specialists.”
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“We would not be where we are today without Connie’s initiative and determination to enter the field of sports medicine.”
For each Champion for Change honoree, a $10,000 donation is made to a non-profit organization chosen jointly with the WTA Foundation. Spooner’s donation was directed to the Love & Love Foundation.
Former WTA players who enjoyed the event in Indian Wells included Tracy’s sister Pam Austin, Diane Desfor, Raquel Giscafre, Barbara Jordan, Robin Tenney, Heather Ludloff, and Mariaan de Swardt.
