Martina Hingis Replaces Venus Williams in Kastles Lineup July 8-9

Written by: Staff on 5th July 2013

Martina Hingis Replaces Venus Williams in Kastles Lineup July 8-9 |

Reigning Mylan World TeamTennis Female MVP Martina Hingis will represent the Washington Kastles in their quest for history July 8-9, replacing Venus Williams, who has withdrawn with a back injury.

With victories at home over the New York Sportimes this Monday, July 8, and the Boston Lobsters this Tuesday, July 9, the Kastles would extend their unbeaten run to 34 matches, surpassing the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers with the longest winning streak in major U.S. pro sports history.

Acquired by the Kastles during the Mylan WTT Draft in March, the 32-year-old Hingis will also play for Washington July 15-24 after becoming one of the youngest players ever inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 13.

Williams has not competed since falling in the first round of singles at the French Open on May 26. She subsequently withdrew from doubles at the French Open and singles at Wimbledon, before confirming to team officials today that she is not physically ready to represent the Kastles.

Williams was originally scheduled to play for Washington at home July 8-9, and on the road against the Texas Wild on July 10. She will be present at Kastles Stadium at The Wharf on Monday for a pre-match championship ring ceremony and to cheer on her teammates from the bench.

“I have been working hard to get back into action on the court but my lower back injury has not recovered to where it needs to be for me to play Mylan World TeamTennis this summer,” said Williams. “I love playing team tennis so I am really disappointed that I will not be able to compete with my Washington Kastles teammates this month, or to play in front of the fans in Washington, D.C., and Irving, Texas. I will be watching the Kastles and pulling for them to keep the win streak going and bring home another Mylan WTT championship.”

While Williams recovers, Hingis arrives in the nation’s capital this Monday night for the Kastles’ season opener against her former team, the Sportimes.

Hingis played for New York in 2011 and 2012, posting a 20-4 two-year record in women’s singles with 12 wins over players currently ranked in the World Top 200. Among her triumphs was a 5-3 victory over Serena Williams of the Kastles on July 20, 2011.

After leading the Kastles against the Lobsters on July 9, Hingis will prepare for her Hall of Fame induction, and then return to the Washington lineup on July 15 for the remainder of the season.

She will play at Kastles Stadium in six of Washington’s seven home matches overall.

“I love the city,” said Hingis. “The fans are amazing. Every time you play there, it’s a packed stadium and it’s loud. I’m really looking forward to it because up until now, it’s always been against me.”

The Kastles’ roster for the 14-match regular season July 8-24 now stands as follows:

Martina Hingis: July 8-9, July 15-24

Kevin Anderson: July 8-11

Leander Paes: July 8-24

Bobby Reynolds: July 8-24

Anastasia Rodionova: July 8-24

An additional female player will be named later for Kastles matches on July 10, July 11 and July 13.

Seats to all of the Kastles’ home matches are available at Ticketmaster.com.

For exclusive Kastles news, ticket information and player updates, follow the team at www.washingtonkastles.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/washkastles, and on Twitter at twitter.com/washkastles.

Topics: Anastasia Rodionova, Boby Reynolds, Kevin Anderson, Leander Paes, Martina Hingis, Mylan World TeamTennis, Venus Williams, Washington Kastles

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10sBalls_com says:

July 5, 2013 at 5:02 pm

Martina Hingis Replaces Venus Williams in Kastles Lineup July 8-9 – http://t.co/xCOdjJ2xHS @mhingis @Venuseswilliams @WashKastles #tennis
10sBalls.com says:

July 5, 2013 at 5:03 pm

Martina Hingis Replaces Venus Williams in Kastles Lineup July 8-9 – https://archive.10sballs.com/?p=90902