2009 POC Masthead

News from World TeamTennis
February 11, 2009
WTT MEMBER TICKET SPECIAL -
BNP Paribas Showdown
for the Billie Jean King Cup
 
Four of the world's top women tennis players, including 2008 Grand Slam Champions Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Ana Ivanovic, along with Jelena Jankovic who ended 2008 as the world No. 1, will face off in a one-night only single elimination event for a record $1.2 million in prize money. The evening, which will celebrate tennis legend Billie Tennis Night in AmericaJean King and benefit the Dream Vaccines Foundation, is scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2009 at Madison Square Garden and will be telecast live on HBO beginning at 7:30 p.m. E.T.
 
There are two special offers for World TeamTennis members.

  • Use promotion code WTTREC for 20% off seats priced at $75, $125 and $175.
  • Use promotion code WTT50 for 50% off $50 seats.
Call Ticketmaster at 866.448.7849 or go to www.Ticketmaster.com and use the promotion codes.

*discount does not apply to previously purchased tickets or floor seats.

Click HERE for special travel packages.

Battle in Bradenton first up for Rec League
US Open 2007
Tired of the snow, ice and just plain cold weather?  There's still time to pack your bags for the first Advanta WTT Rec League National Qualifier of 2009 in sunny Bradenton, Fla., Feb. 27-March 1.  Teams from all over the U.S. are expected to compete at the IMG Academy in eight divisions to earn a regional title and a spot in the Advanta WTT Nationals this fall.  The new Super 60+ (3.5 and 4.0) will debut in Bradenton.  Regional champions will also be crowned in six other divisions -  (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 50+ Senior 3.5, 50+ Senior 4.0).

Entry deadline for Bradenton is Feb. 13  For more information on Bradenton and other Advanta WTT National Qualifiers, click HERE.

USTA invests in WTT

World TeamTennis and the USTA are teaming up in a brand new way.  Last month the USTA become a 25% owner of Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League.   One of the main goals in the new partnership is to provide an expanded marketing platform for the USTA's Jr. Team Tennis Program through the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League teams and players. 

In each of the franchise markets, Advanta WTT Pro League teams and USTA sections will work together on youth initiatives to broaden the reach of QuickStart and Jr. Team Tennis programs. These recreational efforts are becoming integrated with the WTT professional franchises to encourage more young children to take up tennis as a team sport.  Jr. Team TenniKing Garvin USTA 2009s leagues are expected to contest some of their playoff and championship matches on the same multi-colored courts used by the WTT pro teams and will also have the opportunity to interact with many of the top players who compete in the Pro League.

"Our vision is to grow tennis at every level across the country," said World TeamTennis CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss.  "We believe the WTT team format can be one of the building blocks to do that."

Photo:  WTT co-founder Billie Jean King and USTA President Lucy Garvin (Credit:  Jennifer Pottheiser/USTA)

Ozsome, Serena!
Anna fist 2005How impressive was Serena Williams' run through the Australian Open?

So impressive that Dinara Safina, her overwhelmed finals opponent even admitted after the 6-0, 6-3 drubbing that "I was just a ball boy on the court today."

With the win, Serena returned to the top of the world rankings.  She will also be returning to the Advanta WTT Pro League and the Washington Kastles this July.  The Kastles protected their rights to Serena during the Advanta WTT Pro League Marquee Player Draft on Feb. 3.  She will also be making visits to Boston, NY Sportimes and Philadelphia.

Serena was just one of four WTT players to bring home the hardware from Australia.  She teamed with her sister Venus Williams (Philadelphia Freedoms) to win the women's doubles championship.  Bob and Mike Bryan (Kansas City Explorers) also captured the men's doubles title.

photo: Fotosport International / Camerawork USA
2009 Advanta WTT Pro League
Marquee Player Draft
 
The 2009 Advanta WTT Pro League Marquee Player Draft featured some of the biggest names in tennis history - John McEnroe, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Anna Kournikova, Martina Navratilova, Michael Chang, and Bob and Mike Bryan.  Collectively their total titles include 760 professional tour singles and doubles titles among them, including 115 Grand Slam championships and a few Olympic Gold Medals.

Two of the Pro League teams will be playing McEnroe POC Feb 2009at new homes this summer.  John McEnroe (pictured) and the New York Sportimes move to a spectacular new $15 million facility on Randall's Island in New York City which opens in 2009.  Their Empire State rivals, the New York Buzz, will try to defend their 2008 Championship in their new location at the University at Albany

Schedules will be released by the end of February and team rosters will be finalized on March 31, when the Roster Player Draft is held in Miami.

For complete details on the Marquee Player Draft, click HERE.

photo: Fred & Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA

It's A Team Game, Too!!
 
Is team play taking over tennis?  Maybe not, but it's certainly becoming a more prevalent and popular part of the game at every level . . . 

QuickStart: 
QuickStart Tennis is an exciting new plAK Guam Hospital visit 2008ay format for learning tennis, designed to bring kids into the game by utilizing specialized equipment, shorter court dimensions and modified scoring, all tailored to age and size. It is divided into two different levels -- ages 8 and under and ages 10 and under.

Junior Team Tennis: 
USTA Jr. Team Tennis is the largest youth tennis league in the country, helping girls and boys ages 6 to 18 get in the game, get on the court, and have a good time.  TeaUSTA Jr Team Tennisms are coed and made up of at least six players, three boys and three girls, based on similar ages and skill levels.  The emphasis is on skill development, fun, teamwork and friendly competition, all with the possibility of advancing to the national championship. 

USTA Tennis on Campus:
The USTA's Tennis On Campus program is designed to provide college students with opportunities for team camaraderie, social networking, and rivaled competition through tennis without the rigors of a varsity program.  PerfectTennis On Campus for athletes who have chosen not to make the jump from high school to college varsity, Tennis On Campus offers co-ed team-based play, regional and national championship competition, and helps students maintain active and healthy lifestyles through their college years.  Currently, the program is offered on over 500 college campuses and services over 30,000 students.  Section events and the USTA National Campus Championship feature the World TeamTennis format.

Advanta WTT Rec Leagues: 
Recreational players across the country can play just like the pros, competing in events and leagues utilizing the unique World TeamTennis gender-equity format.  Local rec league teams compete at National Qualifiers held in each division to earn a spot in the Advanta WTT Nationals each November to battle for a national championship title. National Qualifiers offer competition in up to seven divisions.  For more information on Rec League programs and National Qualifers, visit WTT.com.
                                               
Advanta WTT Junior Nationals:        
This tournament, hosted by WTT co-founder Billie Jean King, is a premier national junior tournament event featuring 16 co-ed teams from across the U.S.
 
Advanta WTT Corporate Leagues:   Corp 2007 celebrate 
Advanta WTT Corporate Leagues are one of World TeamTennis' fastest growing programs. With support from the USTA, WTT is turning companies into teams nationwide. Ranging from small community businesses to Fortune 100 corporations, coworkers and friends are hitting the courts to take on other local companies and also have the opportunity to compete at the WTT Nationals.
 
Advanta X-TeamTennis High School Championships:          
Think World TeamTennis with a quick and exciting twist. The X TeamTennis format features high school co-ed teams competing in three sets - boys' and girls' singles, and mixed doubles.

To learn more about WTT Recreational programs, visit WTT.com or call 866-PLAY-WTT.

Advanta WTT Pro League: 
Buzz King Trophy 2008The very best in the world play the WTT format each summer in the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League.  Co-founded by Billie Jean King, the Advanta WTT Pro League is a professional co-ed sports league featuring three generations of tennis stars playing in a team format in 10 U.S. markets.  The 2009 Advanta WTT Pro League season runs July 2-26, concluding with the Advanta WTT Championship Weekend.  The New York Buzz (pictured above) won the 2008 title.

Top 10 WTT League Directors

Top 10 League Directors of 2008 (in alphabetical order)

1.   David Bell (Raleigh, N.C.)
2.   Rich Gottfried (Rockville, Md.)
3.   Mike Hasan (San Diego, Calif.)
4.   Carol Jory (San Diego, Calif.)
5.   Lance Loken (Houston, Texas)
6.   Orly Mayron / Ann Bent (South Palm Beach, Fla.)
7.   Pat Purcell (St. Louis, Mo.)
8.   Steve Riggs (Irvine, Calif.)
9.   TCTA (Albany, N.Y.)
10.  Elaine Wingfield (Key Biscayne, Fla.) 

The Top 10 League Director list is based on:
1) # of participants that play in their leagues throughout the year.
2) # of teams that represent the local league at National Qualifiers.
3) Bonus points are awarded if the league director assists in getting a new league started.

Did you know. . .
Tennis Night in America
that March 2 is Tennis Night in America?

Tennis Night in America is a celebration of tennis featuring the best female stars - Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic - competing in the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup on Monday, March 2.  The event will be broadcast live from Madison Square Garden on HBO.

The event also features Youth Registration Night, the USTA's largest youth tennis recruitment effort ever. Parents can register their children for spring and summer programs at thousands of facilities nationwide. The USTA will provide turnkey promotional tools and marketing support to these facilities, as well as priority access to coach training.

To learn more about Tennis Night in America - go HERE.

Wilson Tip of the Month
Wilson logo  
Spring time is just around the corner and for many recreational players the question of "How often should I restring my racquet" always comes up. Here's a good rule to follow.
 
Wilson Hollow CoreCount how many times you play tennis in a week. This would also be the same amount you should restring your racquet in a year. So, if you play 5 times per week, you should re-string your racquet at least 5 times per year. 
 
When you visit your local pro shop, ask your dealer about Wilson's NEW Hollow Core String.  Hollow is Wilson's new patented air filled synthetic string. The triangle shaped hollow core has a rebounding affect for power, control and a crisp comfortable feel. This string is excellent for a variety of playing levels.

Make the world a better place . . .
play more tennis and print fewer emails! 
In This Issue
WTT Ticket Special
Battle in Bradenton
USTA invests in WTT
Ozsome, Serena!
Marquee Draft
It's A Team Game, Too!
Top 10 League Directors
Did you know . . .
Wilson Tip
REC LEAGUE ADDS SUPER SENIOR DIVISIONS

There's a new twist to Advanta WTT Rec League Qualifiers in 2009.  WTT has added two new divisions - Super Senior (60+) 3.5/under and 4.0/under.  Those divisions will be offered at three WTT National Qualifiers in 2009 - Bradenton, Fla.; Irvine, Calif.; and the qualifier set for October in Lancaster, Pa.

The winners of each division will advance to the WTT Nationals in Indian Wells, Calif.  Teams do not have to play in a local league to qualify.  For more information and an entry form, contact Jennifer Smith at 800-832-6836 or jsmith@wtt.com.

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2009 WTT MEMBER BENEFITS:

Interested in discounts on pro tournaments, movie tickets, hotels and rental cars?  Those are just some of the benefits of being a WTT Member.  Visit HERE for a full list of discounts and benefits.
 
WTT Draft Button

2009 Advanta WTT

Pro League
Marquee Player Draft:


(p) = protection
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ROUND ONE:
1. St. Louis Aces
PASS

2. Washington Kastles SERENA WILLIAMS (p)

3.  Springfield Lasers
PASS

4.  Philadelphia Freedoms
VENUS WILLIAMS (p)

5. New York Sportimes
JOHN McENROE (p)

6. Boston Lobsters
MARTINA NAVRATILOVA (p)

7. Newport Beach Breakers
PASS

8. Sacramento Capitals
MICHAEL CHANG

9. Kansas City Explorers
BOB & MIKE BRYAN (p)

10. New York Buzz
PASS

ROUND TWO:
1. St. Louis Aces
ANNA KOURNIKOVA (p)


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MARQUEE PLAYER VISITS

BOB & MIKE BRYAN
Kansas City,
NY Sportimes,
St. Louis, Sacramento

MICHAEL CHANG
Sacramento,
Newport Beach

ANNA KOURNIKOVA
St. Louis,
NY Sportimes, Philadelphia,
Springfield, Washington, Sacramento

JOHN McENROE
NY Sportimes (2), Newport Beach, Philadelphia, Washington

MARTINA NAVRATILOVA
Boston, New York Buzz, NY Sportimes

SERENA WILLIAMS
Washington,
Boston, NY Sportimes, Philadelphia

VENUS WILLIAMS
Philadelphia, New York Buzz, Washington

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player's home team in green


Novo Nordisk

NOVO NORDISK
DONNELLY AWARDS


The Novo Nordisk Donnelly Awards annually award $15,000 in scholarships including two one-time $5,000 scholarships given to two young people, ages 14-21, who have diabetes and play tennis competitively in tournaments or on their school team.

Two regional finalist awards of $2,500 each are also included in the scholarship program.  The awards are to be used for education, tennis development and/or medical care.

World TeamTennis is currently accepting applications for the 2009 Novo Nordisk Donnelly Awards. 

Applications must be received by April 15, 2009, along with two letters of recommendation and a short essay regarding the significance of diabetes in the applicant's life. 

For more details on the Novo Nordisk Donnelly Awards and to download an application form, visit www.WTT.com

For more information, contact Diane Donnelly Stone at dstone@wtt.com or 212-586-3444, x. 20.
 

2009 WTT CALENDAR

FEBRUARY:
2/27-3/1
Rec National Qualifier - Bradenton, Fla.

MARCH:
3/2
Tennis Night in America / BJK Cup (Madison Sq. Garden)

3/31
WTT Roster Player Draft - Miami, Fla.

APRIL:
4/16-18
USTA National Campus Championship - Surprise, Ariz.

4/17-19
Rec National Qualifier -
Las Vegas, Nev.

4/17-19
Rec Open Division Nationals - Las Vegas, Nev.

JULY:
7/2-22
WTT Pro League Regular Season

7/24-26
WTT Championship Weekend - location TBD

7/17-19
Rec National Qualifier -
Kansas City, Mo.

AUGUST:
8/5-8
WTT Junior Nationals -
San Diego, Calif.

Date TBD
X TeamTennis High School Championships - TBD

8/28-30
Rec National Qualifier -
Raleigh, N.C.

SEPTEMBER:
9/25-27
Rec National Qualifier -
Irvine, Calif.

OCTOBER:
10/2-4
Rec National Qualifier -
Lancaster, Pa.

10/30 - 11/1
WTT Rec Nationals
Indian Wells, Calif.
 
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