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| Serena Williams visits Kastles Stadium, July 21st |
From our friends at the Washington Kastles...
World No. 1 Serena Williams to Play at Kastles Stadium July 21
Venus Heads Kastles' Home Opener July 14, Bouchard Leads Lobsters into D.C. July 29
Four years to the day after last playing for the Washington Kastles, Serena Williams will return to action for the five-time Mylan World TeamTennis champions.
The World No. 1 makes her season debut at a road match against the Philadelphia Freedoms on July 20 before competing at Kastles Stadium against the Boston Lobsters on July 21.
Williams rejoins the Kastles while she rewrites record books as one of the greatest women's tennis players of all time. The reigning Australian Open and US Open champion has topped the singles rankings for 110 weeks in a row and won 17 consecutive matches on tour.
Williams hasn't represented the Kastles since July 20, 2011, when she sparked a 23-15 Washington win over the New York Sportimes. Washington is on a nine-match winning streak with Williams, who previously played for the Kastles in 2008, 2009 and 2011.
Her sister Venus Williams kicks off the Kastles' home schedule on July 14 when Washington hosts the Austin Aces. Entering today's fourth-round matches in Miami, Venus is 17-3 this season with a title at Auckland and a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open.
Kastles captain Leander Paes and fourth-year Kastle Anastasia Rodionova lead Washington in home matches against the San Diego Aviators on July 16 and Philadelphia Freedoms on July 18.
Paes will go head-to-head with Raven Klaasen after teaming with the Aviator to win his 54th ATP World Tour doubles title earlier this year at Auckland. The Freedoms, meanwhile, return three-fourths of their 2014 roster, including World No. 4 doubles player Marcelo Melo and 18-year-old rising star Taylor Townsend.
When Serena plays in D.C. on July 21, she will be joined by countryman Sam Querrey, who is currently No. 42 in the ATP World Tour singles rankings. Querrey's first season as a Kastle includes the team's final four home matches and all potential playoff matches.
Martina Hingis returns to the Kastles for home matches against the Springfield Lasers on July 26 and California Dream on July 27. The Hall-of-Famer will reunite with Paes after the Kastles' duet captured the Australian Open mixed doubles title in January. Hingis is also eligible to participate in potential playoff matches.
In the Kastles' regular season finale on July 29, World No. 7 Eugenie Bouchard represents the visiting Lobsters. Bouchard reached the final of Wimbledon and semifinals of the Australian Open and French Open in 2014. After being honored as the WTA's Most Impressive Newcomer in 2013, the 21-year-old Canadian was named the WTA's Most Improved Player last year.
"The star power of our schedule is unmatched," said Kastles owner Mark Ein. "With superstars Serena, Venus, Martina and Leander coming to Kastles Stadium along with Genie Bouchard, who is sure to follow in their footsteps as a World No. 1, our Washington fans can look forward to seven unforgettable nights this season."
In Mylan WTT's 40th season, Washington aims to become the first team in league history to win a fifth consecutive title. Should the Kastles successfully defend the King Trophy, they would tie the Sacramento Capitals for most overall titles with six.
If Washington posts the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Kastles will have home court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Eastern Conference Championship match is scheduled for July 30, followed by the Mylan WTT Finals on August 2.
Single-match Kastles tickets go on sale later this spring. In the meantime, fans are encouraged to secure season tickets to see Serena, Venus and the rest of the Kastles. A limited number of four-seat VIP tables and boxes are available, as well as individual seats with spectacular views in the Kastles Baseline Experience and Kastles Baseline Club. Season tickets start at $150 and can be purchased by calling 202-4-TENNIS (483-6647).
WASHINGTON KASTLES 2015 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
DATE/TIME/OPPONENT/MARQUEE PLAYER
Sunday, 7/12, 6 PM at Boston
Tuesday, 7/14, 7 PM vs. Austin, Venus Williams (WAS)
Wednesday, 7/15, 8 PM at Springfield
Thursday, 7/16, 7 PM vs. San Diego
Friday, 7/17, 7 PM, at Philadelphia
Saturday, 7/18, TBD vs. Philadelphia
Monday, 7/20, 7 PM at Philadelphia, Serena Williams (WAS)
Tuesday, 7/21, 7 PM vs. Boston, Serena Williams (WAS)
Thursday, 7/23, 7 PM at Boston, Martina Hingis (WAS)
Friday, 7/24, 8 PM at Austin
Sunday, 7/26, TBD, vs. Springfield, Martina Hingis (WAS)
Monday, 7/27, 7 PM vs. California, Martina Hingis (WAS)
Tuesday, 7/28, 8 PM at Austin
Wednesday, 7/29, 7 PM vs. Boston, Eugenie Bouchard (BOS)
* Home contests in BOLD.
Founded in 2008 by local entrepreneur Mark Ein, the Washington Kastles have won four consecutive Mylan World TeamTennis titles and five overall. In 2011 and 2012, they completed the only perfect seasons in the league's 39-year history. In 2013, Washington extended its winning streak to 34 matches, setting a new major U.S. pro sports record. The Kastles are 58-6 over the last four seasons. The team's mission is to bring the D.C. community together, make tennis accessible to everyone in the Greater Washington area and actively support local charitable partners. To that end, the Kastles provide ticket or racquet donations to nearly 200 charitable, military and civic organizations each year. Learn more about the team by visiting WashingtonKastles.com.
About Mylan World TeamTennis:
2015 marks the 40th season for Mylan World TeamTennis (WTT), the groundbreaking leader in professional team tennis competition. Mylan WTT features many of the world’s best players competing annually for the King Trophy, the league’s championship trophy named after co-founder Billie Jean King. This summer, Mylan WTT becomes only the fifth major professional team sports league in the U.S. to reach the 40th season milestone.
Mylan WTT has been a pioneer in the sports world with many of the league’s modernizations recognized and adopted by others in the industry. In addition to being the first professional sports league to feature men and women competing equally on a team, Mylan WTT has showcased advancements such as no-ad and cumulative scoring, on-court coaching and playing let serves.
