The 2011 World TeamTennis Finals are headed to the “Best Tennis Town in A
merica.” The Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, S.C., will host the three-day tennis extravaganza July 22-24. (Charleston was recognized last year at the U.S. Open as the “Best Tennis Town” in America by the USTA).
The WTT Finals Weekend is the culmination of three weeks co-ed team competition. The season-ending event will include WTT Conference Championship matches and the WTT Finals. In 2010, the Kansas City Explorers captured their first championship and the King Trophy, named after WTT co-founder Billie Jean King.
The road to Charleston begins on July 4, when the 36th season of the WTT Pro League kicks off and runs through July 21, with the top two teams from each conference advancing to Charleston. The Eastern Conference Championship will be held on July 22, with the Western Conference Championship set for July 23. The conference champions face off in the WTT Finals on July 24.
“There have been so many memorable matches played in this stadium, and we think the WTT Finals will add to that history,” said King.
Each of the nine WTT Pro League teams will play 14 matches during the regular season. The player lineup for 2011 showcases three generations of stars and features some of the sports’ biggest names, including Venus Williams (Washington Kastles), Kim Clijsters (N.Y. Sportimes), John McEnroe (N.Y. Sportimes), Martina Hingis (N.Y. Sportimes), Lindsay Davenport (St. Louis Aces), Anna Kournikova (St. Louis Aces), Pete Sampras (Newport Beach Breakers), Sam Querrey (Washington Kastles), John Isner (Boston Lobsters), Mardy Fish (Sacramento Capitals), Mark Philippoussis (St. Louis Aces), the Bryan Bros. (K.C. Explorers), James Blake (Boston Lobsters) and Melanie Oudin (Philadelphia Freedoms). For info, visit www.familycirclecup.com.
