WTT Ready For 2013

Written by: Staff on 12th March 2013

WTT Ready For 2013

epa03619068 A picture made available on 11 March 2013 of Mardy Fish of USA returning a shot to Bobby Reynolds of USA during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 10 March 2013. Fish won the match. EPA/PAUL BUCK |

World TeamTennis League officials released the 59-match schedule for the three-week season of Mylan World TeamTennis. The regular season runs July 7-24, with conference championships scheduled for Thursday, July 25, and concludes with the WTT Finals on Sunday, July 28.

The season begins on Sunday, July 7 with six of the eight teams in action. But the focus will be on Monday, July 8, when the back-to-back champion Washington Kastles host their rivals, the New York Sportimes at Kastles Stadium at the Wharf in Washington, D.C.

The Kastles have not lost a match during the past two seasons, winning the 2011 and 2012 Mylan WTT titles. Washington edged Sacramento in the 2012 Finals to complete their second consecutive undefeated season and hoisted the King Trophy for the third time in franchise history. Heading into the 2013 Mylan WTT season, the Kastles have won 32 consecutive matches, including two championship finals.

Their streak ranks among sports’ best and is the second longest in major pro sports league history. The Kastles are one win shy of tying the mark of 33 consecutive wins, held by the NBA’s 1971-72 Lakers. If the Kastles can win their home opener, they will have the opportunity to set a new record on their home court on July 9 when 2012 Finals MVP Venus Williams joins the lineup.

Williams and the Kastles will also visit the League’s newest team, the Irving, Texas-based Texas Wild, on July 10. The Wild are led by the world’s top ranked doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan who will make their home debut on July 20.

Several of tennis’ biggest names are playing World TeamTennis this summer. Andy Roddick will play five matches for the Springfield Lasers, while rising American star Sloane Stephens joins the Philadelphia Freedoms for home matches on July 16 and 17, and road matches on July 15 and 20.

Mardy Fish returns to Mylan WTT action, playing home matches for the Sacramento Capitals on July 10, 12 and 13.

Other top names set for Mylan WTT action this summer include Mark Philippoussis of the Boston Lobsters and Sam Querrey of the Sacramento Capitals. Philippoussis will play on the road in Texas on July 13 and several home matches still to be determined. Querrey helps the Capitals close out the regular season with matches on July 21, 22, 23 and 24.

Each of the eight teams will play 14 matches – seven home, seven away. Eastern Conference teams are the Boston Lobsters, New York Sportimes, Philadelphia Freedoms and Washington Kastles. Western Conference teams are Orange County Breakers, Sacramento Capitals, Springfield Lasers and Texas Wild. The top two teams from both the Western and Eastern Conference advance to their respective Conference Championships on July 25. The Mylan WTT Finals presented by GEICO, will be contested on July 28 on the home court of the Eastern Conference Champion.

Team lineups will be finalized next week in Indian Wells at the Mylan WTT Roster Draft on Tuesday, March 12 at Noon EST on WTT.com. Marquee players typically play a limited schedule while roster players play the full 3-week season. ©Daily tennis news wire

Topics: Mardy Fish, Mark Philippoussis, Sam Querrey, Sports, teenis, Tennis News, world tennis news