Billie Jean King, Elton John host tennis in London

NEW YORK (AP) — Billie Jean King and Elton John will host a tennis match at Royal Albert Hall in London.

The longtime friends will coach teams that feature former No. 1-ranked Kim Clijsters and John McEnroe and Britain’s Tim Henman and 2013 Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki.

King’s World Team Tennis Smash Hits event will be held Dec. 7 and benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

John says the aim is “an AIDS-free future” and “access to lifesaving treatment to more people living with HIV in Africa.”

King says it’s the first time the event will have a “global presence” and she’s pleased to bring “this wonderful evening of tennis to a new audience.”

The Smash Hits program, which has raised $12 million since 1993, will be held on the final night of a Masters tennis tournament.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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