By Tennis Now | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, April 16, 2025
Photo credit: US Open/USTA
Tennis legend Chrissie Evert is set to dazzle New York City next month as a celebrated figure.
The six-time US Open champion will receive accolades at the prestigious 53rd annual Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program Gala, scheduled for May 12th at the elegant Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City.
Don’t miss out! Tickets for this exciting gala are currently available at HJEP Gala.
With the charismatic Patrick McEnroe as emcee, this star-studded evening will honor the remarkable accomplishments of nearly 1,000 young individuals benefiting from HJTEP’s comprehensive tennis and educational programs. An exciting live and silent auction will also take place to raise essential funds for these initiatives.
This impressive gala will celebrate Chris Evert as she receives the esteemed Shining Star Award. In addition, Morgan Stanley will be honored with the HJTEP Corporate Award for their invaluable support. Attendees can look forward to a captivating performance from Broadway sensation Norm Lewis, who will grace the stage with renditions of “Home” from The Wiz and “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha. The evening will also feature inspiring remarks from HJTEP alum Vashni Korin, who will discuss how her experiences at HJTEP paved her path to becoming an award-winning documentary filmmaker.
“The enduring success of HJTEP for over fifty years is thanks to the unwavering commitment of individuals like Chrissie, alongside companies such as Morgan Stanley, who have generously supported our mission,” stated Katrina Adams, Executive Director of HJTEP. “We eagerly anticipate using this outstanding event to express our gratitude to our allies and supporters and to introduce them to many of the young talents who directly benefit from our programs, all while raising significant funds to propel our mission forward.”
The Shining Star Award is a tribute to Evert’s steadfast dedication and transformative influence on HJTEP. As Chair of the USTA Foundation, Evert has long been an advocate for NJTL chapters, including HJTEP. A true icon of the sport, she boasts 18 Grand Slam singles titles, including an unmatched seven French Open victories. Following her remarkable playing career, she has emerged as a respected analyst for ESPN, established the Evert Tennis Academy, and diligently campaigned for cancer awareness and youth empowerment.
The HJTEP Corporate Award celebrates Morgan Stanley for its unwavering dedication to tennis through various community initiatives, sponsorships, and partnerships with players. As a global leader in finance, Morgan Stanley supports significant tennis events and upcoming talent while emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility to the sport. For the past two years, they have collaborated with the WTA Foundation for the “Come Play presented by Morgan Stanley” initiative during the week leading to the US Open, which includes coach clinics and junior clinics led by Judy Murray and WTA players. This initiative aims to leverage tennis for positive community engagement, particularly encouraging healthy lifestyles among youth, especially girls.
The live auction promises an exhilarating highlight of the evening, featuring exclusive packages such as:
- 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells: Two premium box seats in the second week, along with first-class round-trip travel.
- 2025 US Open ESPN Experience with Chris Evert: Two seats in an ESPN Suite, backstage access to practice or South Plaza set taping with Chrissie, plus round-trip transportation and hotel accommodations.
- Luxury Villa Getaways in Mykonos & Tulum.
The silent auction will also showcase treasures such as:
- A four-bedroom vacation home in Martha’s Vineyard with membership access to Farm Neck Golf Club and the exclusive Vineyard Golf Club.
- A September 2025 weekend in Sag Harbor (Long Island).
- Two tickets to the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage in September 2025.
- Dinner for four aboard Grand Banks: A historic wooden sailboat moored in Tribeca.
- A private tennis lesson with Anna Tatishvili at the River Club.
