The event will be held at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club from 6-9 pm on August 19, 2026 and the cost to attend will be $125, which includes an autographed copy of the book, hors d’serves and a hosted bar. All proceeds will go to the Southern California Tennis Association Foundation. The press release can be found below the
A SPECIAL EVENING WITH A TENNIS LEGEND
CHARLIE PASARELL’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY, SERVING FIRST
July 6, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN DIEGO — On Wednesday, August 19, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and Southern California Tennis Association Foundation are co-hosting a special night to celebrate the life and times of long-time San Diego area resident, Charlie Pasarell, and the launch of his autobiography, Serving First: Dreams Realized and Lessons Learned from Family, Friends, and a Life in Tennis.
Spanning over six decades, Charlie is recognized as one of the most influential players, organizers, and promoters in tennis history. America’s number one-ranked player in 1967 and one of the best in the world over the course of a 15-year world career, Charlie was both well-liked and highly respected by his peers. In the late ‘60s, as the world of tennis transformed itself from the old school amateur days into a full-fledged professional sport, Charlie was front and center at all stages. In addition to his on-court success, his early off-court activities included a leading role in the formation of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and co-founding the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL).
After hanging up his racquet in the late ‘70s, Charlie took over an endangered ATP event in the Palm Springs area, which he transformed into the hugely popular Indian Wells BNPs Paribas Open. This event is unofficially considered tennis’ fifth most important tournament, ranking only behind the four majors. In recognition of his accomplishments both on and off the court, Charlie was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013.
Richard Evans, a hugely respected long-time tennis journalist and author of 23 books, will join Charlie for this special evening to trade behind-the-scenes tennis stories and history from the 1960s to the present day. Richard is a fellow inductee in the International Tennis Hall of Fame and a long-time friend of Charlie. Finally, Joel Drucker, an historian-at-large for the Hall of Fame and co-author of Serving First, will moderate what is sure to be a lively and engaging conversation.
This special evening starts at 6:30 at the La Jolla Beach Club’s Spindrift Pavilion and will run through 9:00 pm. A full bar, four stations of hors d’oeuvres, great stories. and autographed copies of Charlie’s book for all attendees are included at a cost of $125 per person. All proceeds after costs will be donated to the SCTA Foundation.
To reserve your spot for this special evening, please go to the SCTA Foundation Website
or contact
Linda Milan, Executive Director of the SCTA Foundation
310-824-5139 (call or text)