NY Sportimes
NEW YORK – The New York Sportimes today selected four American standouts to their roster for the 2010 World TeamTennis season, which will take place this coming July. The four players, returning NY Sportimes veterans Jesse Witten, Robert Kendrick, Ashley Harkleroad and Abigail Spears, will join captain John McEnroe and the Sportime’s newest star, Kim Clijsters, as the team returns to the new, $18 million state-of-the-
“We were very pleased to be able to bring back four of my favorite NY Sportime’s players ever, and especially to be welcoming new mom Ashley Harkleroad back to full-time WTA and WTT action. With Ashley’s husband, and proud baby daddy, Chuck Adams returning for his third stint as coach, it will be a family affair in 2010,” said Sportimes CEO Claude Okin. “This group, combined with the many great fan-friendly elements we have in store, not to mention the leadership of our great captain John McEnroe and the addition of our newest star, Kim Clijsters, should make 2010 very competitive and a lot of fun. We want to win a second championship this year, while bringing great professional tennis to New York area fans up close and personal the WTT way.”
Some key facts about the 2010 draftees:
Jesse Witten – This will be his Jesse’s 4th consecutive WTT season with the Sportimes. He was Male Rookie of the Year in 2007 and is a former all-America at the University of Kentucky. Jesse reached the third round of the 2009 US Open before loosing to Novak Djokovic in 4 sets and achieving his career high ranking of No.163 in the world.
Robert Kendrick – Kendrick is an ATP veteran and is in his 4th WTT season with the Sportimes; he was a member of the Sportimes’ WTT championship team in 2005. This former All-American at both the University of Washington and Pepperdine University, achieved his career high ranking of No.69 in the world during last year’s WTT season.
Ashley Harkleroad – A native of Flintstone Georgia, and a long time crowd favorite on the WTA Tour, “Pebbles” is playing in her 4th WTT season; her third for the Sportimes. She will be resuming her professional career next week in Miami, playing with a protected ranking of No.77 in the world after having given birth to her first child, with husband and Sportime’s coach Chuck Adams, in March of 2009. Ashley has achieved a career high ranking of No.39 in the world in both singles and doubles. In 2008, Ashley was the first professional tennis player to pose nude for Playboy magazine.
Abigail Spears – This native Californian is playing in her third WTT season, her second for the Sportimes. Abi is currently the No.47 doubles player in the world, having achieved a career high ranking of No.40 in the world in doubles and No.66 in singles.
The SPORTIMES will once again be captained by New York tennis legend John McEnroe, playing in his 9th WTT season; his 8th with the Sportimes. On Monday, July 19, McEnroe will take the court in star-studded night of Grand Slam champions, teaming with defending US Open Champion Kim Clijsters in her only New York pre-US Open appearance, to face off against former No. 1 Martina Hingis and her New York Buzz team. McEnroe will also play at home for the Sportimes when they host the 2009 Western Conference Champions Springfield Lasers on July 12.
Current Number One American player Andy Roddick, the 2003 US Open Men’s Singles Champion, will make his first ever WTT playing appearance in New York on Wednesday, July 14, leading the Philadelphia Freedoms against the Sportimes. Roddick is presently ranked No. 8 in the world and has 28 career singles titles. He is a former world No. 1 and has been a standout for several United States Davis Cup Teams.
Other highlights of the Sportimes’ home schedule include visits by New York native James Blake playing for his Boston Lobsters on Wednesday, July 7, and a return match with the Kastles and their star Serena Williams on July 15.
NEW YORK SPORTIMES 2010 HOME SCHEDULE AT RANDALL’S ISLAND
Monday, July 5 Washington Kastles
Wednesday, July 7 Boston Lobsters (with James Blake)
Sunday, July 11 Philadelphia Freedoms – 4 p.m. start time
Monday, July 12 Springfield Lasers (John McEnroe will be playing for the Sportimes)
Wednesday, July 14 Philadelphia Freedoms (with Andy Roddick)
Thursday, July 15 Washington Kastles (with Serena Williams)
Monday, July 19 New York Buzz (with Martina Hingis) – (John McEnroe and Kim Clijsters will be playing for the Sportimes)
All Matches Begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted
NEW YORK SPORTIMES 2010 AWAY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, July 6 @ NY Buzz (with Martina Hingis)
Thursday, July 8 @ Boston (with James Blake)
Friday, July 9
Tuesday, July 13 @ NY Buzz (with Martina Hingis)
Saturday, July 17 @ Boston
Tuesday, July 20 @ Washington
Thursday, July 22 @ Newport Beach (John McEnroe for NYS)
2010 Sportimes partners include Willow Hotels, GEICO, Pershing Capital, Principal Funds, ALL RISK Insurance, Fontana Wines, SPORTIME Clubs, Zurita Architects, Prestige Plumbing, Lippolis Electric, Efficiency HVAC and the Randall's Island Sports Foundation
