Sign up NOW for WTT Rec League National Qualifiers
There's a full house in Vegas.
One of WTT's biggest national qualifiers is just around the corner, with more than 75 teams expected in Las Vegas at the end of April. While the field for the Las Vegas event is closed, there's still time to enter a team in the remaining five National Qualifiers.
The WTT Rec League visits two Pro League cities this July, with a Qualifier set for July 15-17 at the Bass River Tennis Club in Beverly, Mass., and one week later at the Plaza Tennis Center in Kansas City, Mo., July 22-24.
Events are also scheduled for Raleigh, N.C. (August 19-21); Irvine, Calif. (September 23-25); and Landisville, Pa. (September 30 - October 2).
Division champions from each event qualify for the WTT Finals, November 4-6, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif. The Indian Wells facility is also home to one of the biggest events in pro tennis, the BNP Paribas Open.
Find out more about National Qualifiers and other WTT Rec League programs at www.WTT.com/recleagues.
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WTT Finals headed to Charleston; tickets on sale NOW
by Natalee Jarrett
It currently holds the distinction of the "Best Tennis Town in America"; it consistently sits atop travel and leisure lists as a favorite American destination; and this summer, Charleston, S.C., will play host to the World TeamTennis Finals Weekend presented by GEICO, July 22-24.
The WTT Finals Weekend will be held at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, S.C., where the popular WTA event of the same name takes place in April. The three-day, season-ending WTT Finals Weekend will feature the Conference Championship matches and the WTT Finals as the teams compete for the coveted King Trophy.
"[Charleston] is a wonderful destination for vacation and for people who want to come and watch," said WTT co-founder Billie Jean King during a conference call to announce the event. "I'm thrilled to be coming back to an area with a lot of history with the Family Circle Cup."
While fans can start making their travel plans now, the road to Charleston begins on July 4 for the nine teams in the WTT Pro League presented by GEICO. The 2011 season continues through July 21 with the top two teams from each conference advancing to the WTT Finals Weekend in Charleston. The Eastern Conference Championship will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 22, followed by the Western Conference Championship at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 23 and the WTT Finals at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 24.
When the WTT Finals Weekend kicks off this July, it will be the first time that WTT has played a match in the state of South Carolina and only the second time that the finals have been played outside of a franchise market. But WTT CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss spoke hopefully about the partnership with the city and the tennis center and getting tennis fans to the events. "I have to say that, Charleston, it wasn't a difficult choice," said Kloss. "From our point of view, we really wanted to find a destination. And it's great that we can announce this in advance of the Family Circle Cup so that their fans know about it." Added King: "And South Carolina has had such a rich history of tennis and there's a lot of grass roots tennis going on. I can't wait to get back." | The King Trophy goes to the 2011 WTT Champion. |
In 2011, nine teams will play 14 matches each - seven home, seven away - during the regular season. The Eastern Conference teams are the Boston Lobsters, New York Sportimes, Philadelphia Freedoms and Washington Kastles. The Western Conference teams are the Kansas City Explorers, Newport Beach Breakers, Sacramento Capitals, St. Louis Aces and Springfield Lasers. With three generations of talent, 16 former and current world No. 1s playing and the team-centric format, this WTT season is sure to provide some of the most exciting tennis of the summer. "We are thrilled that we are going to have our championship weekend at such a tremendous venue and excited to showcase our coed brand of tennis to the community and all the people that come, " said Kloss. "And I have a feeling people are going to want to stay in Charleston for a lot longer." Tickets for the WTT Finals Weekend presented by GEICO are currently on sale. Weekend packages range from $50 to $150, with single-session tickets from $15-$55. Tickets are available through the Family Circle Tennis Center Box Office at (800) 677-2293 or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets can be purchased online at www.FamilyCircleCup.com or www.Ticketmaster.com. A FAN'S GUIDE TO THE WTT FINALS WEEKEND: Start planning your trip to Charleston NOW! SCHEDULE (all times EDT): Friday, July 22 - 7 p.m. WTT Eastern Conference Championship Saturday, July 23 - 5 p.m. WTT Western Conference Championship Sunday, July 24 - 5 p.m. WTT Finals TICKETS: Full Weekend Box Level: $150 Single Session Box Level: $55 Full Weekend Terrace Level: $95
Single Session Terrace Level: $35 Full Weekend Grandstand: $50
Single Session Grandstand: $15 Box Office Toll Free: (800) 677-2293 Box Office Local: (843) 856-7900 Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone: (800) 745-3000 www.FamilyCircleCup.com or www.Ticketmaster.com VENUE: Family Circle Tennis Center CHARLESTON: More things to do in Charleston HOTEL INFO: Coming Soon! |
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Connors vs. McEnroe - It's ON!
Two of the most exciting and fiery players in tennis history will face off this summer in WTT action when Jimmy Connors and his Philadelphia Freedoms teammates visit Randall's Island to battle the New York Sportimes led by John McEnroe. The two long-time rivals are expected to battle in singles and doubles. It's the first time the two have played each other in more than a decade. To buy tickets to watch these fan favorites, visit www.NYSportimes.com. |
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The Washington Kastles will have a new home this summer. The team is moving to a new site on the city's Southwest Waterfront, Kastles Stadium at The Wharf. The stadium is part of a major redevelopment in the area that will include hotels, restaurants, shops, apartments and a marina. The home opener for the Kastles, featuring Venus Williams, is Tuesday, July 5, against the defending WTT Champion Kansas City Explorers. For tickets, call (202) 4-TENNIS (483-6647) or visit www.washingtonkastles.com.
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The St. Louis Aces are bringing Billie Jean King to town on April 27 as part of Saint Louis University's "Get In The Game" luncheon. King and the Aces are part of the event which raises scholarships to benefit female student-athletes majoring in business. For information about the event, contact The Billiken Club at (314) 977-8180 or [email protected]. For more information on the St. Louis Aces, visit www.stlouisaces.com.
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Wayne Bryan will return to the helm for the Sacramento Capitals in 2011. This will be the 10th consecutive season for Bryan, who has been named WTT Coach of the Year three times. The Caps also announced that Martina Hingis (New York Sportimes) will be making a visit to their new stadium at Sunrise Mall on July 8. Call (916) 488-5000 or visit www.saccaps.com for ticket information.
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The New York Sportimes will play two home away from home matches in Albany this summer. The world's top-ranked doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan bring their Kansas City Explorers to SEFCU Arena on July 18 to take on the Sportimes, including Martina Hingis. Kim Clijsters teams up with Hingis on July 19 in Albany when the Sportimes host the 2009 WTT Champion Washington Kastles. For more information on the New York Sportimes, call (888) WTT-NYC1 or visit www.nysportimes.com.
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WILSON: Wilson players hit the WTT courts
Keep an eye out this summer for the WTT Pro League players who are using Wilson racquets, from Melanie Oudin to the top-ranked American male Mardy Fish, the list is long and impressive. Learn more about the racquets they are using by visiting www.Wilson.com.
Boston Lobsters - Eric Butorac
Kansas City Explorers - Alex Kuznetsov, Madison Brengle, Coach Brent Haygarth
New York Sportimes - Robert Kendrick, Jesse Witten, Katie O'Brien
Newport Beach Breakers - Anne Keothavong, Lester Cook,
Travis Rettenmaier, Marie-Eve Pelletier
Philadelphia Freedoms - Melanie Oudin (pictured), Beatrice Capra, Brendan Evans
Sacramento Capitals - Mardy Fish
Springfield Lasers - Carly Gullickson, Paul Hanley
St. Louis Aces - Lindsay Davenport
Washington Kastles - Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Arina Rodionova, Coach Murphy Jensen
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WTT Rec League a hit in Chile
World TeamTennis has reached out beyond the borders of the US and Canada and formed the first WTT Rec League in Santiago, Chile. The idea to start a World TeamTennis league in Santiago came when Beatriz Hernandez, a 3.5 tennis player from Miami, came to live in Santiago, Chile, after her husband Joseph Malpica who is also an avid tennis player, was assigned overseas as a diplomat for the U.S. Embassy.
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Members of WTT Chile Rec League with Bud Collins at the U.S. Davis Cup match in Chile.
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"There was no venue for diplomats, ex-pats and employees of multi-national corporations who enjoyed playing tennis without having to become members of an expensive country club," said Hernandez. "We come to these cities for a few years and joining a club just to play tennis does not make much sense to the diplomatic community."
Since advertising the league to all Embassies and multi-national companies in October 2010, the program has grown from four to over 35 players under Hernandez' guidance as League Director of WTT Chile. Hernandez kicked off the first season of WTT Chile in March 2011 with more than 30 players and six teams. "WTT Chile is a great group of people made up from countries such as Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Canada, India, Switzerland, Spain, Chile, and of course the USA. We play on Wednesday nights and stay after tennis to have wine and cheese tastings and socialize with the other players. It is a great way to meet people you wouldn't otherwise have met if it wasn't for tennis!" adds Hernandez.
In March, WTT Chile organized a group of 25 tennis fans from the League as well as the U.S. Embassy to attend the Davis Cup Tie between the U.S. and Chile. "We had the opportunity and honor to support the USA in its victory over Chile. We enjoyed great tennis and even got the chance to meet a great tennis legend, Bud Collins!"
WTT Chile plans on growing its membership to 12 teams and more than 70 players in the hopes to bring a team to compete in WTT Nationals this year! "Watch out for us!" Hernandez says.
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The Washington Kastles new stadium (pictured above in an artist drawing) will have views of the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and the Potomac River. |
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2011 WTT REC LEAGUE CALENDAR
REC LEAGUE
NATIONAL QUALIFIERS
April 29-May 1 Darling Tennis Center -
Las Vegas, Nev.
registration closed
*July 15-17
Bass River Tennis Club
Beverly, Mass.
July 22-24
Plaza Tennis Center -
Kansas City, Mo.
Aug. 19-21
Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center
Raleigh, N.C.
Sept. 23-25
Heritage Park -
Irvine, Calif.
Sept. 30 - Oct. 2
Hempfield Sports Complex - Landisville, Pa.
REC LEAGUE FINALS
Nov. 4-6
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
Indian Wells, Calif.
more details HERE
WTT JUNIOR NATIONALS Aug. 2-4
Barnes Tennis Center - San Diego, Calif. |
What are the benefits of playing in a WTT Rec League?
In addition to the competitive and fun on court experience, there's even more off the court for WTT members -- ticket discounts to WTT Pro League matches and major professional tennis tournaments; along with discounts for Hyatt hotels, National Car Rental and AMC Theatres.
See a full list of WTT member benefits HERE.
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