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News from World TeamTennis
December 2, 2010
Clay courts added to mix for 2011 Rec Qualifiers
 
There's no reason to go to Roland Garros to test out your clay court skills.  WTT Rec League players can play on clay courts at the WTT Rec League National Qualifier event in Daytona Beach next March.  WTT has added one clay court event to the schedule of National Qualifiers. 

The Rec League kicks off the 2011 schedule on Feb. 18 in Houston, Texas, before moving on to Daytona Beach in March.  Other National Qualifier events are scheduled in Las Vegas, Kansas City, Raleigh, Irvine and Landisville, Pa.  The WTT Finals will be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif., next November.

A full schedule of WTT Rec League events is detailed in the far right column.  For more information on WTT Rec League National Qualifiers or to enter an event, click HERE.

USTA's Aussie Open Wild Card weekend features WTT exo
USTA

Many of America's top young players will showcase the World TeamTennis coed team format during the USTA's 2010 Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs, Dec. 17-19, at the Racquet Club of the South in Atlanta.

 

In addition to hitting the courts to battle for a wild card spot for the 2011 Australian Open, the next generation of American tennis stars will also team up for a WTT exhibition match led by team coaches Patrick McEnroe and Mary Joe Fernandez.  American standout Melanie Oudin is also scheduled to play in the World TeamTennis match, which is set for 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17.

 

Among those expected to compete during the weekend are Ryan Harrison, Dennis Kudla, Donald Young, Jack Sock, Jordan Cox, Jamie Hampton, Beatrice Capra and Coco Vandeweghe (pictured), who starred this summer for the Boston Lobsters of the WTT Pro League presented by GEICO.

Coco slim 2010

WTT CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss and WTT co-founder Billie Jean King will attend the WTT exhibition and speak with the players.  "This is a great opportunity for some of the best young American players to experience the WTT coed team format," said Kloss.  "The WTT Pro League has a long history of showcasing top young talent as players like Andy Roddick started playing WTT when he was only 17.  The USTA understands the importance of growing tennis at all levels, including as a team sport.  They have put together a terrific player field led by two great coaches and WTT veterans in Mary Joe and Patrick, so this should be a very competitive and exciting WTT match."

 

A World TeamTennis match consists of one set each of men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles.  The event will use the traditional WTT format, which includes cumulative scoring, sets to five games, no-ad scoring, playing let serves, Overtime and Supertiebreakers.

 

For more information on the USTA Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs and WTT exhibition, visit www.australianwildcard.com.  For more information on World TeamTennis, visit www.WTT.com.

 

photo Coco Vandeweghe:  Fred & Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA


REC TEAMS CAPTURE NATIONAL TITLES IN INDIAN WELLS

Recreational tennis teams from California, Florida, Hawaii, Minnesota, Missouri, New York and Virginia captured national championship titles at the WTT Rec League National Finals, Nov. 5-7, at the Indian Wells Tennis GarRec Finals 2010 celebrateden in Indian Wells, Calif.  A record 59 recreational tennis teams representing 17 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, competed for national championship titles in 11 divisions during the three-day tournament.

The teams advanced to the national finals by qualifying from their respective division in seven WTT Rec League national qualifying tournaments held throughout the year.  Corporate League teams qualified by winning their local league.  The weekend kicked off with a players' Wilson Clinic hosted by tennis legend and WTT co-founder Billie Jean King.

All matches were played using the WTT format, a fun, fast-paced co-ed team format that encourages equal contributions from both genders. A team has a minimum of four players, two men and two women. Rec Finals 2010 celebrate 2

The WTT format uses five or six no-ad sets: men's and women's doubles, men's and women's singles and one or two sets of mixed doubles.

Check out the Rec Finals story and full final results.

For more information on World TeamTennis or the WTT Recreational League, visit www.WTT.com or call 866-PLAY-WTT. 

Top Photo:  KC Masters celebrates their Super Senior 4.0 Division win.

Bottom Photo:  Mr. and Miss Hits of Fredericksburg, Va., celebrate their 3.0 Division Championship victory.

2010 WTT REC LEAGUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Champions from the 2010 WTT Finals in Indian Wells, Calif.

3.0 DIVISION:                     Mr. and Miss Hits (Fredericksburg, Va.)
3.5 DIVISION:     
                Hana Hou (Waipahu, Hawaii)
4.0 DIVISION:    
                 Team Hawaii (Honolulu, Hawaii)
4.5 DIVISION: 
                   Killer Beez (Hidden Hills, Calif.)
SENIOR 3.5:    
                     Love Players (Miami, Fla.)
SENIOR 4.0:                        
Beach Nuts (Virginia Beach, Va.)

SUPER SENIOR 3.5:          Love Players 3.5 (Miami, Fla.)

SUPER SENIOR 4.0:          KC Masters (Kansas City, Mo.)

CORPORATE 3.5 :              Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (Miami, Fla.)

CORPORATE 4.0 :              Boston Scientific Smashers (Minneapolis, Minn.)

CORPORATE 4.5:               Pinehill Asset Management (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.)


Billie Jean King - My Connection to Diabetes
BJK Exley racquet WHow does Billie Jean King deal with Type 2 Diabetes?  Read the latest entry in her My Take blog.  King talks about her strategies for managing diabetes, which include her diet, exercise routine and, most importantly, her support system.

King says, "Perhaps the most important person you can provide support to is YOU. I realize most people are under tremendous stress in their lives, juggling the demands of family, career and personal finances. But nothing is more important than making time to focus on your health and well-being."  Read the full blog HERE.

photo:  Jonathan Exley


WILSON:  Coming in 2011 -- Meet the new Blade racquets
Wilson script 2010

Wilson Racquet Sports has introduced 14 new BLX models developed for players of all levels and playing styles.  BLX racquets are engineered with Basalt fibers, a natural volcanic rock that delivers clean feedback for the perfect feel on every shot. 


The cornerstone of the new 2011 BLX line is the Blade Family of racquets.  The Blade Series features five new racquets including the Blade Tour BLX, Blade 98 BLX, Blade Team BLX and Blade Lite BLX. The Blade 98 BLX is also available in an aggressive pink cosmetic.  New to the Blade Family is the Blade Lite BLX, a 100" headsize, the 10.2 ounce racquet geared toward a wide range of players; from ambitious juniors to top ranked pros.

 

The Blade family of racquets is one of the hottest series of racquets on tour and 66 Wilson athletes will make the switch to a new Blade BLX racquet in January.  Twenty-five of the players will be sporting the new Blade 98 BLX Pink.  

Wilson Blade 98 sm
Wilson's new Blade 98 BLX racquet

 

Leading the Blade Team of players are 13-time Grand Slam Champion, Serena Williams and 9-time Grand Slam Champion Venus Williams, who both play for the Washington Kastles. They will debut their new Blade Team BLX racquets at the start of the 2011 season.

 

Rounding out the Player frame offerings for 2011 is the Pro Lite BLX, part of the Pro Family of racquets lead by Juan Martin Del Potro. This new frame, the Pro Lite BLX, is geared toward younger players and those seeking a light weight competitive model.

 

In the All Around and Game Improvement categories, Wilson introduces eight new models including Justine Henin's new Tour Limited BLX.  Designed in cooperation with Henin, this frame is an extra half inch in length (27.5"), providing powerful shots from deep in the court. The Coral Reef BLX, Tidal Force BLX and Bold BLX finish out the All Around category.

 

The return of the legendary sledge hammer frame is the Cierzo Two BLX.  Completing the Game Improvement category are the Stratus Three BLX and Tempest Four BLX providing maximum power in a comfortable, high value, lightweight frame.

 

The full line of Blade racquets will be introduced in 2011.   Check back with www.WilsonTennis.com for more details.


NEW 2011 BLX RACQUETS

 

 RACQUET

HEAD-SIZE

STRUNG WEIGHT

LENGTH

DESCRIPTION

Blade Tour BLX

93"

12 oz

27"

Ideal for the highly skilled traditionalist who generates their own power and craves the feel of an ultra control orientated frame.

Blade 98 BLX

98"

11.3 oz

27"

A mid-plus head size and mid-level weight racquet for serious competitors who place a premium on feel and control.

Blade 98 BLX Pink

98"

11.3 oz

27"

A striking new color chosen by top athletes on tour for attacking the ball in style with the same qualities of the Blade 98 BLX.

Blade Team BLX

104"

10.8 oz

27.5"

The choice of Venus and Serena Williams, and offers a great option for a variety of skill levels seeking a powerful, forgiving sweet spot and controlled feel.

Blade Lite BLX

100"

10.2 oz

27"

For a wide range of dedicated tennis players from weekend warriors or ambitious juniors to the top of the elite ranks.

Pro Lite BLX

102"

9.6 oz

27"

Created for younger players and those seeking out a light weight, competition model with plenty of pop.

Tour Limited BLX

95"

11 oz

27.5"

Excellent choice for tournament level player seeking powerful baseline drives and pinpoint precision.

Tour Lite BLX

103"

9.3 oz

26.75"

Designed with the smaller or younger player in mind, provides ultimate maneuverability in a serious frame.

Tidal Force BLX

105"

9.9 oz

27.25"

Over delivers for the player who seeks performance.

Coral Reef BLX

110"

9.8 oz

27.25"

An ideal choice for the player who seeks a forgiving and powerful sweet spot.

Bold BLX

100"

10 oz

27"

Perfect introduction to BLX with light weight and forgiving mid plus head size.

Cierzo Two BLX

120"

9.8 oz

27.9"

Combining lightweight with a generous oversized head and extra leverage to create a new degree of feel with the legendary sledge hammer frame.

Stratus Three BLX

115"

9.7 oz

27.5"

A perfect choice for those players seeking the ideal balance between power and comfort.

Tempest Four BLX

110"

8.7 oz

27.25"

Lightest BLX racquet and a great choice for any player seeking a powerful shot with unmatched mobility.


For more details on the Blade racquets - click HERE.


A Smash Hit in Washington, D.C.
Graf yells Smash Hits 2010
Even the best miss a shot every now and then.
Stefanie Graf (playing with Anna Kournikova) reacts after missing a shot at WTT Smash Hits presented by GEICO in Washington, D.C. Playing for Team Elton, Graf and Kournikova lost their women's doubles match to Martina Navratilova and Rennae Stubbs of Team Billie Jean. Billie Jean's team won the match 19-15 to even the series at 9-9. More than $500,000 was raised for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Washington AIDS Partnership.

Photo: Fred & Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA

WTT SMASH HITS ON TENNIS CHANNEL, COMCAST
All-star event raises $500,000 for AIDS charities

It's (really entertaining) tennis that serves a cause. 
Watch as Sir Elton John, Billie Jean King, Andre Agassi, Stefanie Graf, Martina Navratilova, Anna Kournikova, Mark Philippoussis, Jan-Michael Gambill, Rennae Stubbs and Eric Butorac get together at WTT Smash Hits presented by GEICO to raise money $500,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Washington AIDS Partnership.
 Smash Hits on TV

Watch WTT Smash Hits presented by GEICO on . . .
Comcast - Tuesday, Dec. 7, 7pm EST

Tennis Channel - Monday, Jan. 3 - 2pm EST

 

Check www.WTT.com/TV for additional airdates.

Click HERE for a Tennis Channel preview of WTT Smash Hits

 

For more information on WTT Smash Hits, visit www.WTT.com/SmashHits.


WTT in the News:
In case you missed it --
here's some recent news from WTT . . . in the news:
Smith honored at WTT Finals

BJK Jen Smith 2010WTT Director of Recreational Tournaments Jennifer Smith (pictured here with WTT co-founder Billie Jean King) was honored at the WTT Finals in Indian Wells, Calif., for 10 years of service.  Smith, who started with WTT as an intern, coordinates the National Qualifiers and Finals.

photo:  Tom Brewster
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In This Issue
Clay courts in 2011
WTT exo at Aussie WC event
Rec League Finals
2010 Rec Champions
My Take with Billie Jean
WILSON: 2011 Blades
Smash Hits Hot Shot
A Smash Hit in DC
WTT in the News
Jen Smith honored
Go Online with WTT

2011 WTT REC
LEAGUE CALENDAR
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REC LEAGUE

NATIONAL QUALIFIERS


February 18-20
Copperfield Racquet &
Health Club -
Houston, Texas


March 4-6

Florida Tennis Center
(clay courts)
Daytona Beach, Fla.


April 29-May 1

Darling Tennis Center -

Las Vegas, Nev.


July 22-24
Plaza Tennis Center -

Kansas City, Mo.


August TBD
Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center

Raleigh, N.C.


September 23-25
Heritage Park -

Irvine, Calif.

 

October TBD
Hempfield Sports Complex -
Landisville, Pa.

 

 more details to be added;
check HERE

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REC LEAGUE FINALS
November TBD
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
Indian Wells, Calif.

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WTT JUNIOR NATIONALS
August 2-4

Barnes Tennis Center -
San Diego, Calif.

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