This will be a day away from crowded court dockets, briefs, petitions, judges and juries for Jim Heldman, a lawyer with Strauss & Troy.

From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Heldman will have a tennis racket in his hands, facing an opponent he doesn't know in the Inner City Youth Opportunities charity event at the ATP Tennis Center in Mason.

The event is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati.

"I have done this several times," said the Amberley Village resident and avid tennis player.

Heldman

The event helps the Inner City Youth Opportunities to teach practical learning and life skills to underprivileged inner-city children.

"It's great event, especially for someone like me who likes to play tennis," Heldman said. "You get to play with the best in the world. But not only that, you get to help a lot of kids who need help. For me, it's a grand slam."

The event will feature a round-robin doubles format, with tennis players sponsored by Greater Cincinnati companies and touring pros, selected by the ATP, competing with each other.

Each player will donate $1,000 to ICYO.

Other players are: Richard Curry, Key Bank, Gradison Investments; John England, Deloitte & Touche LLP; Jeff Harris, Statman, Harris, Siegel & Eyrich; Rob Howard, an employee at Time Warner Cable, sponsored by Imperial Properties; Michael Kindred, sponsoring himself; Dr. Pam Martin, Ethicon Endo-Surgery; Devin McCarthy, Franklynn Industries; Ken Munson, Quality Life Products; Tony Ruggeri, Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati; Ron Schallick, Patheon Pharmaceuticals; and Ron Townsend, Four Bridges Country Club.

ICYO, which is in its 10th year, works with children from first to 12th grades. It has reached more than 600 kids.