TENNIS LEGEND JOHN LLOYD TO COACH ACES DURING INAUGURAL SEASON

Written by: Staff on 4th January 2014

TENNIS LEGEND JOHN LLOYD TO COACH ACES DURING INAUGURAL SEASON

epa03384977 Andy Roddick of the US hits a return to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their fourth round match on the tenth day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 05 September 2012. The US Open runs through Sunday 09 September 2012. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Former Mylan WTT Coach of the Year will lead Austin, including marquee player Andy Roddick, when play kicks off in July 2014.

AUSTIN, TEXAS (December 30, 2013) – John Lloyd, the former professional tennis player and British Davis Cup captain, and current BBC commentator, has signed with the Austin Aces as head coach for their inaugural Mylan World TeamTennis season, the team announced today.

Lloyd became the first British male tennis player in the Open era to play in a Grand Slam singles final when he reached the last round of the 1977 Australian Open, losing to Vitas Gerulaitis in five sets. While a major singles title eluded him during his career, he won three Grand Slam mixed doubles championships – the French Open in 1982 and twice at Wimbledon in 1983 and 1984, all with Wendy Turnball. Lloyd represented the British Davis Cup team as a player for 11 years and later went on to captain the team from 2006-2010.

Lloyd will bring eight years of Mylan WTT experience with him to Austin for the 2014 season. As a player/coach for the Los Angeles Strings from 1987-1992, he was named Coach of the Year in 1990, the same year the Strings won the Mylan WTT Championship. He went on to play for the Phoenix Smash in 1993 and served as the Phoenix coach the following year.

“I have great memories of World TeamTennis, both from my playing and coaching days,” said Lloyd. “The format is exciting, and I am thrilled to be leading the Aces for their inaugural season. Austin is one of my favorite cities, and we will be looking to bring a championship home here in July.”

At the helm of the Aces, Lloyd will lead a team that includes former world #1 and Austin resident Andy Roddick, whose rights were secured in a trade with the Springfield Lasers last month. The Aces will continue to build their roster for their inaugural season with the Mylan WTT Marquee Player Draft on Tuesday, February 11 and then will round out the lineup on Tuesday, March 11 during the Mylan WTT Roster Player Draft.

In July 2014, the Aces will play 14 regular season matches, including seven home matches at their new venue to be announced at the beginning of January. For season tickets, sponsorships and more information, visit www.AustinAcesTennis.com or call (512) 508-3069.

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Roddick, Davis Cup, John Lloyd, Mylan World TeamTennis, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Vitas Gerulaitis