The St. Jude Classic marks 18 years with tennis, pickleball event

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The St. Jude Classic is celebrating 18 years with a tennis tournament and the return of last year’s addition of pickleball.

Players, volunteers, and sponsors converged last year to put together a successful event, raising $65,800.

This year’s tournament, taking place from September 25 to 28 at Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club, is expected to attract over 300 players, sponsors, and volunteers.

The event will feature a silent auction with approximately 100 items, including gift cards, original art, jewelry, and more. The online auction will commence a few weeks before the tournament.

The weekend will also feature a tribute to St. Jude royalty. Prince Allen Owen, a 4-year-old from Shreveport, and Princess Alex Everding, a 7-year-old from Ruston, both received treatment at St. Jude and are both cancer-free. Both will be celebrated as a kickoff to the weekend.

Danny Thomas founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, aiming to advance cures and improve prevention for pediatric diseases. No child is ever denied, and families are never billed for treatment, travel, housing, or food. In its 60 years, treatments developed at St. Jude have contributed to a significant increase in the rate of childhood cancer survival, from 20% to 80%.

St. Jude extends thanks to all the players, volunteers, and sponsors, with special appreciation to the 2025 Title Sponsor, Ivan Smith Furniture.