CLEVELAND, OH, USA - Sir Elton John and WTA legend Billie Jean King are bringing their annual World TeamTennis Smash Hits charity night to Cleveland for the first time in the event's 19-year history, with an all-star cast lined up - former No.1s Martina Navratilova, Amélie Mauresmo, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick, as well as some more American stars - former ATP player Jan-Michael Gambill and two WTA stars, Coco Vandeweghe and Lauren Davis.

John, King and all players will first participate in a pre-match live auction, and then the tennis begins. Captained by John and King, the players will form two teams and play a match using World TeamTennis co-ed team format. John will also take part in a celebrity doubles match. Additional participants will be announced in the coming weeks. King and John have split the series so far, 9-9.

"It is always such a great pleasure to co-host this wonderful event with my dear friend Billie Jean King," Sir Elton John commented. "I'm so pleased that we will be teaming up with the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland to raise awareness about the continuing challenges of the HIV/AIDS epidemic both locally and nationally and to raise urgently needed dollars for community-based HIV prevention, education, treatment, and care services. I urge all of the tennis fans and concerned citizens in the Greater Cleveland area to support this event and bring their families for a wonderful evening of tennis for a great cause."

"It is great for Elton and I to return to Cleveland and we are looking forward to a night of competitive and entertaining tennis," WTA founder Billie Jean King said. "WTT Smash Hits is much more than a tennis event. It's a way for us to give back to the local community and make an impact by generating awareness and much needed financial support for HIV and AIDS. We hope the Greater Cleveland area will help us reach those goals and support Smash Hits."

Since 1993, WTT Smash Hits has raised over $10 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and various local AIDS charities. This year's event will benefit John's foundation as well as the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. The funds raised at the pre-match Smash Hits VIP Reception will go to local programs.

WTT Smash Hits presented by GEICO will take place at the Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio on Thursday, October 27. Tickets can be ordered online at www.WTT.com/SmashHits or by calling 866.994.4436.