Chicago area campers were enjoying a beautiful Friday (July 9) summer outing at Daley Bicentennial Plaza when they received a surprise by two superstar “playmates,” hometown hoops star Derrick Rose and tennis icon Venus Williams. The surprise visit was orchestrated by the team for POWERADE PLAY, a new sports drink formulated for kids with less sugar and more vitamins than traditional sports drinks. The stars kicked off the visit with a game of tennis, with Williams and Rose exchanging volleys in a “friendly” rally. Then, the tennis champion kicked it into high gear, unleashing her signature serve that froze Rose in his tracks. Following the warm-up, Williams and Rose invited a pair of youngsters to join for a game of doubles. Then it was off to another court, as Rose hosted a game of basketball.
Throughout the day, both superstars stressed the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle – principles that elevated them from humble beginnings to the tops of their sports. Williams, 29, ascended from teen tennis prodigy and has since dominated the women’s scene (along with her younger sibling). Rose, 21, grew up on Chicago’s South Side and is now headlining for the hometown team that he rooted for as a child.