WTA icon 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 event.
This popular yearly charity event successfully raised approximately $100,000 for the Love & Love Tennis Foundation. Founded in 2015 by Casals and former player Tory Fretz, the foundation aims to support grassroots tennis and provide life 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, honors exceptional women who have significantly contributed to tennis in their respective fields. This year, Tracy Austin was the distinguished recipient.
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 various charitable endeavors.
“I am grateful to Rosie, Billie Jean, and the Original 9 for paving the way for me and subsequent generations, removing numerous obstacles,” Austin expressed upon receiving her award. “I belong to the first generation that directly benefited from their pioneering actions.”
The two-time US Open champion added, “WTA promoters and staff, like Annalee, were instrumental in making my career possible. I am eternally thankful to these individuals who bravely took risks to promote what has become the world`s leading women`s sport.”
“I have always strived to give back to the sport as a token of my appreciation. I eagerly anticipate continuing to enjoy every moment with my tennis family for many years to come. Thank you sincerely.”
Honoring Pioneers
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 established to acknowledge players and contributors—both individuals and organizations—who have had a transformative impact on the sport.
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 that time.
Based on a recommendation from Original 9 member Valerie Ziegenfuss, a long-time friend since junior high, Spooner was offered a position by the WTA in 1974. She became the first trainer for the Virginia Slims Circuit, which evolved from a short-term assignment into a decade-long career on the global tour.
Introducing Spooner, Kathleen Stroia, the current WTA Senior Vice President, Performance Health, stated: “The players today directly benefit from the foundation laid by Connie during her tenure with the WTA Tour. She passed the torch to Donna Pallulat, who is with us today, and subsequently to me.”
“When I joined, the WTA had only four athletic trainers for the entire tour,” Stroia explained. “Currently, we have 16 full-time and 30 part-time certified athletic physical therapists, as well as access to massage therapists and mental health care providers at every tournament. Players also have access to dietitians and women’s health specialists.”
“We would not be in our current position without Connie’s initiative and determination to enter the field of sports medicine.”
Upon each recipient being honored as a Champion for Change, a $10,000 donation is made to a mutually agreed-upon nonprofit organization supporting the WTA Foundation’s mission. Spooner’s donation was directed to the Love & Love Foundation.
Former WTA players who enjoyed the celebrations in the desert included Tracy’s sister Pam Austin, Diane Desfor, Raquel Giscafre, Barbara Jordan, Robin Tenney, Heather Ludloff, and Mariaan de Swardt.
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth