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2012 WTT FINALS WEEKEND
Washington Kastles win second consecutive World TeamTennis title  |
Photo: Fred & Susan Mullane / camerawork usa
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Over the weekend of September 14-16, the WTT Finals Weekend presented by GEICO was held at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, S.C. The Sacramento Capitals and Washington Kastles prevailed in the Western and Eastern Conference Championship matches, respectively, to advance to the Final on Sunday. The Kastles, who were the defending champion of the coveted King Trophy, were  also riding a 31-match win streak into the showdown with a Sacramento team that seemed to be peaking at the right time. But after five back-and-forth sets, it was Venus Williams who led her Kastles to their second consecutive World TeamTennis title with a 20-19 win over the Caps. The victory gave Washington 32 consecutive match wins, the second longest streak in U.S. pro sports history. To read the entire WTT Finals story, click HERE. And for a video recap of the championship match, click HERE.
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2012 WTT CORPORATE NATIONALS
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Photo: Fred & Susan Mullane / camerawork usa
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This year the WTT Corporate Nationals were held in conjunction with the WTT Finals Weekend at the Family Circle Tennis Center, Sept. 14-16. Seventeen corporate recreational tennis teams, including companies such as Target, U.S. Gas & Electric, Hewlett-Packard and Merck, competed in the three-day tournament with only three teams capturing division titles.
The NYS Serving Servants of Niskayuna, N.Y., took the 3.5 Division while Boeing (pictured above), of St. Peters, Mo., and the Deloitte, LLP Aces, of New York, N.Y., captured championships in the 4.0 and 4.5 Divisions, respectively. Read the full results from the Corporate Nationals HERE , or visit www.WTT.com/RecLeagues for more information on Recreational League programs. |
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MYLAN WTT SMASH HITS: PITTSBURGH
For twenty years, longtime friends Billie Jean King and Sir Elton John have gotten together to co-host a charity night of tennis to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation and various local AIDS groups, raising more than $10.5 million since 1993.
On Tuesday, October 16, Mylan WTT Smash Hits presented by GEICO will head to the University of Pittsburgh for a one-night only event at the Petersen Events Center. Captained by King and John, the players will form two teams and play five sets of World TeamTennis (WTT) - one set each of men's and women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. The music legend is expected to participate in a celebrity doubles match to open the event.
The match will feature the recently retired Andy Roddick; tennis power couple Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf; one of the all-time greats Martina Navratilova; former world No. 1 in doubles Mark Knowles of the Sacramento Capitals; Boston Lobsters' standout Jan-Michael Gambill and three up-and-coming Americans - Christina McHale, Taylor Townsend and Samantha Crawford.
Tickets are currently available for Mylan WTT Smash Hits. Corner reserved seats are $40; premium reserved seats are $75; and courtside seats are $125. Order tickets through www.WTTSmashHits.com or TicketMaster.com. For group sales of 10 or more tickets, call 412-924-8270.
To read the latest release and for more event details, click HERE.
For frequent Smash Hits updates, special promotions and more "Like" Us on Facebook.
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WILSON PLAYERS BRING HOME US OPEN TROPHIES
Serena Williams Defeats Victoria Azarenka for 15th Grand Slam Title
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Image: Wilson
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Wilson Racquet Sports (www.wilson.com), the official ball and stringer of the US Open, was omni-present at the women's singles' final with WTA No. 4 Serena Williams playing fellow Wilson player and world No. 1, Victoria Azarenka. Williams, fresh from her Olympic gold medal and playing with her Wilson Blade Team, continued her momentum with a hard fought win over Azarenka, playing with her Wilson Juice 100. Winning her 15th career Grand Slam and fourth US Open title, Williams defeated Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
"It's incredible to win in front of a home crowd," said Williams. "I felt their energy the entire match and thank all my fans for their support. Vika didn't make it easy for me -- she played a tough match, but I was able to hold on and achieve what I came here to do."
To see Wilson's tribute video congratulating Serena on her 15th Grand Slam title, click HERE.
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Photos: WTT
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To kick off the WTT Finals Weekend in Charleston, Wilson hosted a Demo Clinic onsite at the Family Circle Tennis Center, Thursday, Sept. 13. The Washington Kastles' coach Murphy Jensen, who was in town with his team for the WTT Finals, stopped by the clinic. Also, two lucky clinic participants (pictured below) won Billie Jean King-signed racquets, which were presented to them by Wilson US Promotions Coordinator Cy Dofitas.
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Photos: WTT
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During the WTT Finals Weekend, the Family Circle Tennis Center also hosted a WTT event for more than 80 coed Junior Teams that were 8 & Under and 10 & Under. The 8 & Under Teams played on the 36-foot courts with the red balls and the 10 & Under played on the 60-foot courts with the orange balls. The youngsters played the World TeamTennis format with Supertiebreakers for each set of boys' and girls' doubles, boys' and girls' singles and mixed doubles. Every point that was played counted toward the team total score. Each team had a volunteer parent coach and an adult court monitor that kept the scorecard. The players got to sit on the court and root their teammates on and be a part of the action! On Saturday evening, the players attended the Eastern Conference Championship Saturday, and finished the day by getting autographs from all the WTT Professional players!
 
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Photo: Fred & Susan Mullane / camerawork usa
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On Sunday, Sept. 16, the Washington Kastles celebrated their
second consecutive WTT title after Venus Williams defeated
Coco Vandeweghe 5-4 in the decisive fifth set. Pictured here: Coach Murphy Jensen, Bobby Reynolds, Venus Williams, team owner Mark Ein, Arina Rodionova, Leander Paes and Anastasia Rodionova.
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At the conclusion of his US Open run, former WTT player and upcoming Mylan WTT Smash Hits participant Andy Roddick announced his retirement from the ATP Tour. During his professional career, Roddick played six WTT seasons between the former Idaho Sneakers, the former St. Louis Aces and the Philadelphia Freedoms. Roddick has also played in seven Smash Hits events.
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Over the years, Mylan WTT Smash Hits has raised more than $10.5 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and various local charities. This year's event will benefit EJAF and the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force. If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a donation to the EJAF, please click HERE.
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American doubles partners and 2012 WTT players Abigail Spears and Raquel Kops-Jones won the doubles final of the Korea Open in Seoul. This was the eighth career doubles title for Spears, who played a few matches for the New York Sportimes, and the sixth for Kops-Jones, who subbed for the WTT Champion Washington Kastles.
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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
October 5-7
Hempfield Sports Complex
Landisville, Pa.
Rec League Finals
November 2-4
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
Indian Wells, Calif.
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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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Official Sponsors
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If there was ever a time and a place to meet Billie Jean King, the 2013
US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Training Center would be it. Next August, one Grand Prize winner
will have the chance of a lifetime to attend Opening Day of the US Open in King's own personal suite. The lucky winner and their guest will be rewarded with a meet and greet with the tennis legend, a two-night stay in a New York area hotel and cash spending money for the trip.
Read more about the sweepstakes, the runners-up prizes and the Official Rules HERE. |
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