Orange County Breakers World TeamTennis Team Relocates To Austin

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 22nd November 2013

Orange County Breakers World TeamTennis Team Relocates To Austin

epa03385223 Andy Roddick of the US reacts to the crowd as they cheer following his loss 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 match is Roddick's last as a singles tennis player as he had announced at the start of the US Open that he would retire whenever this US Open ended for him. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Austin, Texas will be home to a new Mylan World TeamTennis team in 2014, with a familiar name on the roster – Austin resident Andy Roddick.

The Austin Aces will join Mylan WTT after entrepreneur Lorne Abony purchased the Orange County franchise and has relocated the team to Austin beginning with the 2014 season. This will be the first time a Mylan WTT team has played in Austin. The team is currently reviewing potential venue options and Abony expects to finalize a location by the end of the year.

Abony’s first move after acquiring the franchise was to add Roddick to the team’s roster. The Aces picked up Roddick in a trade with the Springfield Lasers this week for financial consideration and Marquee Draft position. Roddick, along with Venus Williams, joined the World TeamTennis ownership group in May 2013. He helped lead the Lasers to a runner-up finish in 2013.

“The fans and team in Springfield were great to me and I really appreciate their support. Austin however is my home and I am excited to be able to play here in front of my friends and family,” said Roddick. “I have played Mylan World TeamTennis since I was a teenager and I believe in the way this league connects with community and provides kids access to professional tennis.”

Roddick, who knew Abony through tennis connections, was aware of Abony’s business accomplishments and involvement in tennis and thought he would be a perfect fit for Mylan WTT. “Lorne is a business visionary who I know will do great things for tennis in Austin. I am very much looking forward to being part of something very exciting.”

“I have a great passion for tennis and great passion for the city of Austin,” said Abony. “The Mylan World TeamTennis product is the best and most exciting brand of tennis there is in the world. I am honored to have the opportunity to bring a professional Mylan World TeamTennis franchise to Austin and to build a championship team for our city. With Andy on board, we are well on our way to building something incredibly special for, and with the Austin community.”

The Austin Aces will compete in Mylan World TeamTennis which showcases the best in professional team tennis competition, playing an innovative coed team format over a three-week season in July. Co-founded by Billie Jean King in the 1970s and based on a concept of gender equity, Mylan WTT offers unique access to the sport and some of its greatest champions who have played over the past 38 seasons.

“Austin is a great tennis market to continue to grow our fan base,” said Mylan WTT CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss. “Lorne has the business background and passion that we look for in team ownership. We are excited to work with him to introduce Mylan World TeamTennis to Austin. ”

Austin will also retain the rights to the 2013 Orange County Breakers players although their 2014 team lineup will not be determined until the Mylan WTT Marquee Player Draft on Tuesday, Feb. 11 and the Mylan WTT Roster Player Draft on Tuesday, March 11. The 39th season of Mylan World TeamTennis will commence July 2014.

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Roddick, Atp, Mylan World TeamTennis, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Venus Williams