Inside Duke Medicine

John Isner Charity Tennis Exhibition to benefit ovarian cancer research at Duke

ATP Touring Professional and North Carolina native John Isner will headline a tennis exhibition in Raleigh on Saturday, November 20, 2010. All proceeds from the event will benefit Duke Hospital's Ovarian Cancer Research.

Isner will be joined by Luke Jensen, Irina Falconi and Lauren Herring. This special charity event will begin at 5pm on the J.W. Isenhour Indoor Tennis Center on the NC State University campus.

Currently ranked #17 on the ATP Tour, Isner’s star is rapidly rising. In 2007 he led the University of Georgia to an undefeated season and an NCAA Championship. He turned professional later that same year. As a professional, Isner had a break-out performance in the 2009 U.S. Open when he defeated fellow American and the world’s fifth ranked player Andy Roddick. His most famous and inspiring victory came just this past summer at Wimbledon when the 6’9” Isner defeated Nicolas Mahut in “the longest tennis match ever played.” Currently, he is a member of the 2010 US Davis Cup team.

Isner and his friends donating their time to play an exhibition in Raleigh because this past summer a friend and fellow Georgia Bulldog, Rhyne Andrews, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Isner’s mother is an ovarian cancer survivor, so the diagnosis of his 22-year-old friend hit home. Andrews has taken the semester off while she undergoes treatment. She is the daughter of Andy and Carol Andrews.

"It is an amazing privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with my friend and fellow UGA Bulldog, Rhyne Andrews, and the many thousands of women in their courageous battle with ovarian cancer. My mom and my family know all too well the daily life struggle against this disease,” says Isner. “By dedicating all of our time and talent on Saturday in Raleigh, we can make a stand against cancer by helping the incredibly talented doctors, nurses and clinicians at Duke finally put an end to the toll cancer takes on the families around the globe. I am dedicating my personal and professional life to this cause and need everyone in the Triangle area to come out and support us!”

Play will begin at 5 pm and will include women’s singles, mixed doubles, and men’s singles.

Tickets are limited and can be purchased at www.ovarianawareness.org. General seating tickets are $50 and VIP seating is available for $75.

Doors will open at 4:30pm for the event.