PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Julius Erving said today he is the father of tennis phenom Alexandra Stevenson, whose run to the Wimbledon semifinals has been shadowed by reports that she is the basketball great's daughter.
Erving made the following statement about Stevenson to The Associated Press by telephone:"I acknowledge a relationship with her mother in 1980," he said. "My wife (who has known from the beginning) and children are aware of this situation.
"All matters concerning Alexandra since her birth have been handled privately through counsel. I am pleased to see Alexandra, at 18, doing so well and I applaud her mother's efforts and courage."
Erving said he has met Alexandra Stevenson only once and that it was "her call" about whether they would renew their relationship. He said he has been supporting her financially.