WTT Announces 2008 Schedule, Signs Kournikova
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rosie Crews
1402 Toplea Drive
Euless,
817-684-0366
rcrews@wtt.com
03/03/08 - New York, N.Y.--The World TeamTennis Pro League presented by Advanta today released the 2008 schedule and announced the addition of fan favorite Anna Kournikova to the League’s lineup of top tennis stars. The 2008 WTT schedule includes 77 matches in 11 markets beginning July 3 and running through July 23. Five teams will advance to the WTT Championship Weekend, July 24-27 in Roseville, Calif.
Kournikova was picked up by the St. Louis Aces in a trade with the defending champions, the Sacramento Capitals. Kournikova joins previously announced marquee players including Lindsay Davenport (Newport Beach Breakers), Serena Williams (Washington Kastles), Andy Roddick (St. Louis Aces), Venus Williams (Philadelphia Freedoms), Martina Navratilova (Boston Lobsters) and Bob and Mike Bryan (Kansas City Explorers).
After playing for Sacramento for the past three years, Kournikova begins her sixth WTT season with a new team. The former world no. 1 doubles star will play three matches for the St. Louis Aces, beginning Friday, July 18, in St. Louis. Kournikova will also make visits to the New York Buzz in Schenectady, N.Y., on July 22, and close out the season on July 23 in Washington, D.C. Kournikova won 16 doubles titles during her pro career, including two Grand Slams, and was ranked as high as no. 8 in singles.
The Aces acquired the rights to Kournikova by trading their first round pick in the WTT Roster Draft on April 1 to Sacramento. St. Louis also received the Capitals second round roster draft selection.
The League’s newest franchise will make their debut in the nation’s capital when Serena Williams plays for the Washington Kastles in their first home match on Tuesday, July 8. Williams will also play for the Kastles when they travel to take on the New York Buzz (July 9), New York Sportimes (July 10) and Newport Beach Breakers (July 13).
Lindsay Davenport, who was selected by the Newport Beach Breakers as the top pick in the WTT Marquee Player Draft earlier this month, plays on Thursday, July 10, when the Breakers host the Springfield Lasers. Davenport travels to Sacramento on Saturday, July 12, to take on her former team.
Andy Roddick returns to the St. Louis Aces roster for the first time since 2005 on Saturday, July 12 when the Aces host the Kansas City Explorers.
Venus Williams will play three matches for the Philadelphia Freedoms, starting July 8 in Wilmington, Del. She makes her 2008 home debut on July 9 then travels to Boston for a July 10 match against the Lobsters.
Martina Navratilova returns for a record 19th season to play home matches for the Boston Lobsters on July 16 and July 19. Navratilova travels with the team to the West Coast for a road match against the Newport Beach Breakers on July 21.
America’s top doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan will play four matches for the Kansas City Explorers – July 16 in Philadelphia; July 17 in Wilmington, Del.; July 19 in Kansas City and July 20 in St. Louis.
Team lineups will be completed on April 1 when WTT holds their annual player draft in Miami.
For more information on the World TeamTennis Pro League presented by Advanta, visit www.WTT.com.
Visit www.WTT.com for the 2008 schedule
About WTT:
The 2008 season will be the 33rd year of World TeamTennis action. WTT is well known for introducing innovative elements to tennis including instant replay, co-ed format, cumulative and no-ad scoring, on-court coaching, Supertiebreakers, multi-colored courts and player names on back of their shirts.
The unique gender-balanced team concept for WTT was created in the early 70s by League co-founders Billie Jean King and Larry King. Eleven teams throughout the U.S. compete in the WTT Pro League presented by Advanta during July.
Advanta is the presenting sponsor of the WTT Pro League and the official business credit card of World TeamTennis. Official WTT Pro League sponsors for the 2008 season are Bälle dê Mätch, FirmGreen Energy, Gatorade, GEICO and Wilson Racquet Sports.
Media contact: Rosie Crews, WTT (rcrews@wtt.com) – 817.684.0366
Team / Venue | Match Start Time
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Kansas City Explorers Barney Allis Plaza – Kansas City, Mo. | Mon-Sat 7:35 Sun 6 PM CDT
Newport Beach Breakers Newport Beach Country Club – Newport Beach, Calif. | 7 pm PDT
Sacramento Capitals Allstate Stadium at Westfield Galleria – Roseville, Calif. | 7:30 pm PDT
St. Louis Aces Dwight Davis Tennis Center – St. Louis, Mo. | 7:15 pm CDT
Springfield Lasers Cooper Tennis Complex – Springfield, Mo. | 7:05 pm CDT
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston Lobsters venue TBD | TBD
Delaware Smash DuPont Country Club – Wilmington, Del. | 7:05 pm EDT
New York Buzz CDPHP Stadium in Central Park – Schenectady, N.Y. – 7 pm EDT – except 7/9 & 7/22 @ 7:30 pm EDT
New York Sportimes Sportime Stadium at Harbor Island Park – Mamaroneck, N.Y. | 7:30 pm EDT – except 7/3 @ 1 pm
Philadelphia Freedoms venue TBD | 7:30 pm EDT
Washington Kastles venue TBD | 7 pm Mon-Fri // 5 pm Sat-Sun EDT
Links:
www.WTT.com
