The 39th Adoption Guild starts today

Richard Dunn

NEWPORT BEACH - One of the oldest continuous sporting events in

Orange County and considered the largest charity doubles tournament in

the nation, the 39th annual Roy Emerson Adoption Guild Tennis Tournament

starts today at clubs everywhere in town.

The tournament, with famous local lore, started on a single court at the

Balboa Bay Club in 1962, with Charlie Eaton at the head table.

Since then, it has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Holy

Family Services, a nonprofit organization providing counseling, adoption

and foster care services.

A signature tennis event in Newport Beach, the Adoption Guild features

open play (and prize money) in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles and men’s

singles.

The men’s senior (35 and over) division has been popular since it was

launched in 1993.

This year’s tournament has the distinction for the first time of being

sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association.

“(The USTA sanctioning) is something we’ve been trying to do for a long

time to encourage better players to play,” said tournament chair Linda

Winston.

Men’s, women’s and mixed doubles play will include divisions from 6.0 to

3.5, as well as novice men’s, women’s and mixed (2.0 to 2.5).

About 500 doubles teams (or 1,000 players) will participate in

opening-round matches today, Sunday and Monday at the Newport Beach

Tennis Club -- the host site -- Palisades Tennis Club, Balboa Bay Club

Racquet Club and Racquet Club of Irvine. Paramount Sports in Costa Mesa

will be donating $200 gift certificates to each winning team from 5.0 to

3.5.

The Adoption Guild continues June 3-4, with the finals in all open

divisions scheduled for June 4 at Newport Beach Tennis Club.

In addition, tennis legend Emerson, a winner of 12 Grand Slam singles

championships, has lent his name in support of the tournament.

Emerson, a resident of Newport Beach and Gstaad, Switzerland, captured 28

Grand Slam titles in his career including doubles. With five different

partners, Emerson won six consecutive doubles championships at the French

Open, to go along with two singles titles on the clay at Roland Garros.

Emerson won 36 of 40 Davis Cup matches as a valued member of the

Australian team from 1959 to ’67.

In 1967, Emerson, Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall played on center court at

Newport Beach Tennis Club, then brand new, in a pro exhibition.

“We’re real excited about having Roy Emerson on our board,” Winston said.

Emerson, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, is tied with

Pete Sampras for the most career Grand Slam singles titles.

Last year, the Adoption Guild raised over $75,000 for Holy Family

Services with the tournament and patroness tea. The goal this year is

$100,000. For information: (949) 760-8394.