Going Once, Going Twice...

It was encouraging to see both the ATP and WTA Tours get involved in helping out the cause following the terrorist attacks on America. Both organizations have joined Ebay's Auction for America. The goal of the online auction is to raise $100 million in 100 days. The money raised will go to the September 11 Fund, established by the United Way of New York City and the New York Community Trust. The Fund hopes to respond to the immediate and longer-term needs of the victims, their families, and communities affected by the events. This is the first time both Tours have authorized authentic merchandise on such a scale.

The ATP is having great success in its first round of auctions set to close within the week. Five items have cumulatively raised over $8,500 for the effort. Two items made up the majority of the money raised thus far. A Wimbledon program signed by Pete Sampras on the day he won his historic 13th Grand Slam title stood at $1,675 in the morning but meteorically rose to $4,050 by mid-afternoon. An autographed racquet that Andre Agassi used on his way to the 2001 Australian Open title, which had been the highest bid item for most of the week, remained at an impressive $3,400. Even an unsigned "New Balls" campaign poster currently stands at just over $100.

The WTA Ebay auctions are scheduled to close on September 30th. Two items are proving to be very popular and far exceeding the bids on other items. Need we even have to give a second thought to which player would be bringing in the most dollars? Of course, it is Anna Kournikova. The bid on the Russian's autographed shirt has more than tripled over the past week and now stands at a staggering $1,875. Also pulling in impressive money is a shirt worn (and autographed) by Jennifer Capriati during her semifinal match at the 2001 US Open. The high bid on the hopefully laundered shirt also stands, as of this writing, at $1,875. There are several more reasonably priced items out there. An autographed 2001 US Open program signed by all four semifinalists (Hingis, Capriati, and the Williams sisters) and a 2000 WTA Player Guide autographed by a slew of players (Hingis, Davenport, Serena Williams, Pierce, Kournikova, Capriati, Sanchez Vicario, Schett) both currently stand at about $150 each. A 2000 Roland Garros Official Tournament Magazine signed by Mary Pierce remains "bid-less" with a opening price of $50.

Information and links to the Auction for America Ebay pages for both tours can be found on their respective home pages (www.atptour.com and www.sanexwtatour.com).