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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM WORLD TEAMTENNIS
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A LEAGUE OF CHAMPIONS: WTT Rec Finals
It took three days of intense competition through unseasonable cold and inclement weather, but finally teams from California, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri and New Jersey finished atop their divisions at the WTT Rec League National Finals in Indian Wells, Calif.
More than 50 teams from 15 states competed for national championship titles after advancing from their respective divisions in eight WTT Rec League national qualifying events.
 | | Lob Squad of Middletown, N.J., captured their first national championship in the Senior 4.0 Division at the 2011 WTT Rec National Finals. |
Read all the details and results of the Rec National Finals HERE.
For more information on Recreational League programs, visit www.WTT.com/RecLeagues.
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They Said It Best . . . Willette Scholarship essay winners
It's all about team - at least according to the two teens who penned the essays that won the 2011 Kathy Willette Leadership Scholarship. Graham Alrutz of Middletown, Conn. (New England Shrimps) and Vonnick Boyogueno of Shakopee, Minn. (Northern Lights) each won a $300 scholarship for recounting and writing the lessons learned from the WTT Junior Nationals.
The scholarship, which was started in 2009 to recognize Kathy Willette, is given to WTT Junior Nationals participants who write the best essays about the lessons learned from the event, including friendships and the impact of the coed team format.
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2011 Kathy Willette Leadership Scholarship essay winner Graham Alrutz with award namesake Kathy Willette and her husband Larry at the 2011 WTT Junior Nationals.
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INTERNATIONAL TENNIS COURT:
Wilson Tennis Could End up in Jail
Dear WTT player,
With the 2012 tennis season starting next month, we know you will be paying attention to the latest and greatest tennis news --new technologies, apparel, footwear, tantrums, deals, and who is doing what to whom. As an influential member of the active sports community, we think you will be interested in this latest controversy regarding Wilson.
Recently, questions have been raised about their new rackets, the Wilson Juice and Steam. We are currently investigating these rackets relating to allegations of excessive power and spin causing players to reach unprecedented levels of performance. A growing body of evidence suggests they provide an unfair advantage on the court. We are urgently asking for your assistance for this investigation. Please find enclosed evidence for your evaluation. We ask that if you are to play with either of these rackets, please use extreme caution.. They are so powerful and create so much spin it remains to be seen whether they should be allowed in at the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open.
We will be in touch shortly and look forward to your opinion on this matter of utmost importance to the International Tennis Court.
Kind Regards,
Johann P. von Brechtbüehler
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Dianna, Moran and Riggs named Mast Award winners
 | 2011 Delaine Mast Award Winners
(from left to right: Taya Dianna, Alison Moran, Delaine Mast, and Steve Riggs) |
The Delaine Mast Award was established to recognize a male and female League director who contributes to the growth of tennis and WTT, as well as being a leader and role model in his/her local tennis community. The three 2011 recipients certainly fit the bill.
ALISON MORAN & TAYA DIANNA - Wilmington, Del. Alison Moran and Taya Dianna have both been active in Delaware tennis since early 2001, from captaining and playing on women's 3.0, 3.5 & 4.0 teams, mixed doubles 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 teams, to serving in various roles for area tournaments, to running a successful WTT Recreational League in Delaware. They run the leagues and tournaments, and also captain and play on multiple teams at the same time. Many teams from the Delaware events have advanced and traveled to National Qualifiers and several have even advanced to WTT Nationals. In 2009, Taya and Alison received the USTA Delaware District Presidential Award for their contributions to the sport. This year, the dynamic duo from Wilmington, Del., were honored with the Delaine Mast Award. STEVE RIGGS - Irvine, Calif. It's amazing that Steve Riggs even finds time and energy to play tennis. As the father of two sets of twins (ages 6 1/2 and 4 years), there isn't much free time for either Riggs or his wife Malou, but he still manages to make a big difference in his local tennis community. The Irvine, Calif., resident started as a local director of WTT Recreational Leagues in May 2004 and since then has more than doubled the registrations in rec programs to over 15,000. Riggs, a PTR Professional, is currently the Tennis Program Coordinator / Director for the City of Irvine. Riggs' WTT League includes more than 750 participants and he also supervises USTA Adult/ Junior Team Tennis with over 1,500 participants per year. Riggs also assists with the promotion of the WTT Pro League team, Newport Beach Breakers, and the Home Depot Center Women's Tournament. Read more about all three award winners HERE. |
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WTT Rec event in Kansas City wins top award
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Jennifer Smith, WTT Director of Recreational Tournaments, receives the award for Event of the Year in the Heart of America District from USTA Missouri Valley president Scott Hanover. The WTT Rec League National Qualifier in Kansas City was recognized as the top event in 2011.
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Two tennis legends, John McEnroe and Amelie Mauresmo, talk strategy at WTT Smash Hits presented by GEICO, an annual charity event co-hosted by Billie Jean King and Sir Elton John. The event visited Cleveland for the first time, raising more than $500,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. Team Elton edged Team Billie Jean 19-18 to take an overall 10-9 lead in the 19-year series. For full details, visit www.WTT.com/SmashHits.
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The Washington Kastles were recently honored as the USTA Mid-Atlantic Organization of the Year.
Kastles' owner Mark Ein was honored by the DC Chamber of Commerce as
The awards were the latest in the series of accolades for the Kastles' amazing 16-0 championship season this summer. Highlights from the first undefeated season in WTT history are featured this month on
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The Sacramento Capitals are returning to Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights, Calif., next summer but their stadium will have a new name - Sunrise Marketplace Stadium. Read more about the stadium and the Caps' new ownership group HERE.
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Looking for that perfect holiday gift for the tennis fan who has almost everything? Check out the offerings from WTT Pro League teams. The Philadelphia Freedoms are offering gift vouchers that give fans the chance to lock in priority choice of individual match tickets for the 2012 season before they go on-sale to the general public.
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GO ONLINE WITH WTT
Connect with World TeamTennis online to keep up
with the latest WTT news and announcements.
Check out our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.
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2012 WTT REC
LEAGUE CALENDAR
REC LEAGUE
NATIONAL QUALIFIERS
Feb. 17-19
Copperfield Racquet &
Health Club
Houston, Texas
March 9-11
Florida Tennis Center (CLAY)
Daytona Beach, Fla.
April 27-29
Darling Tennis Center
Las Vegas, Nev.
TBD
Bass River Tennis Club
Beverly, Mass.
July 13-15
Plaza Tennis Center
Kansas City, Mo.
TBD
Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center
Raleigh, N.C.
TBD
Heritage Park
Irvine, Calif.
TBD
Hempfield Sports Complex
Landisville, Pa.
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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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SMASH HITS HIGHLIGHTS If you couldn't make it to Cleveland to watch Smash Hits in person, check out some highlights from WTT's YouTube Channel or watch it on TV. Check TV airings HERE.  | | WTT Smash Hits - Roddick Impersonates McEnroe |
 | | WTT Smash Hits - Men's Doubles |
 | | King & John Smash Hits Interview |
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Official Sponsors
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