World TeamTennis
World TeamTennis (WTT) is a mixed-gender professional tennis league played with a team format in the United States, which was founded in 1973.
Current season, competition or edition: | |
 | |
| Sport | Team tennis |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| Owner(s) | Fred Luddy and Eric Davidson |
| CEO | Carlos Silva |
| No. of teams | 9 |
| Country |  |
| Headquarters | Rancho Santa Fe, CA, United States |
| Most recent champion(s) | Springfield Lasers |
| Most titles | Sacramento Capitals (6) Washington Kastles (6) |
| TV partner(s) | USA CBS CBS Sports Network (also available in CAN) ESPN ESPN+ Tennis Channel Outside USA and CAN FITE TV TennisONE Latin America Claro TV China Youku |
| Official website | www |
Originally played on a no-line court, each match consists of five sets. Each set features a different configuration (men's singles, men's doubles, women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles). Prior to each match, coaches decide the order in which the sets will be played. Each player on a team usually plays in at least one of the five sets. Scoring is no-advantage; there is no requirement to win a game by two scores; at deuce, whoever scores the next point wins the game. The first team to reach five games wins each set. A nine-point tiebreaker is played if a set reaches four-all. One point is awarded for each game won. If necessary, extended play and a supertiebreaker are played to determine the winner of the match.
The league's season normally takes place in the summer months. Players from the ATP and WTA take a break from their tour schedules to partake in World TeamTennis.
History
First league
World Team Tennis (WTT) was founded in 1973 by Dennis Murphy, Dick Butera, Fred Barman, Jordan Kaiser, and attorney and promoter Larry King, each of whom organized and owned the various participating teams of the fledgling professional tennis league. Murphy had previously founded the World Hockey Association, and gave a number of WHA club owners preferential options on WTT franchises.
Charles "Chuck" Reichblum (now popularly known as "Dr. Knowledge"),[1] industrialist John H. Hillman III, and lawyer William "Bill" Sutton, who became the owners of the Pittsburgh Triangles, had, in 1972, founded the similar National Tennis League (NTL), a forerunner to WTT and Reichblum's brainchild. Founding members of WTT were reported to have been invited to join the NTL prior to formation of the competing WTT in 1973.[2][3]
In 1974, Billie Jean King began the first WTT season by securing the professional women tennis players, and Dr. Leonard Bloom, Arthur Ashe and Wilt Chamberlain, securing the professional men tennis players..
The league began play in May 1974, with George MacCall as Commissioner of the 16 teams: Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo-Toronto, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Florida, San Diego/Hawaii, Houston, Los Angeles, Minnesota, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco.
The original league format included a four-colored tennis court, a 44-contest season, and teams of at least two men and two women. A match consisted of the first player or team to win five games, with a nine-point tiebreaker at four-all, and no-ad scoring in women's singles and doubles, men's singles and doubles, and mixed doubles. This made WTT the first professional sports league to grant equal status to each man and woman competing for their teams.[4]
WTT also held annual All-Star games for the seasons from 1975 to 1978. Marty Riessen (Cleveland) and Greer Stevens (Boston) won Most Valuable Players (MVP) honors for the inaugural all-star gala won by the East, 28–21, at the Inglewood Forum in Los Angeles. In 1976 the West All-Stars, led by Chris Evert and Betty Stöve, capped an incredible comeback when they defeated Billie Jean King and Evonne Goolagong in a super tiebreaker, 5–4, giving the West a stunning 28–27 overtime victory at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. After trailing at one stage by 24–17, the West, led by Stove and Dianne Fromholtz, won the final set plus two games in overtime to draw the West All-Stars even at 27.[5] Tom Okker (San Francisco) and Dianne Fromholtz (Los Angeles) won MVP honors that year. In the 1977 All Star Game held at the San Diego Sports Arena, Björn Borg (Cleveland-Pittsburgh) and Betty Stove (Seattle-Portland) captured MVP awards as the East bested the West, 23–18. WTT held its final All-Star event in Las Vegas in 1978.[6]
WTT was the first professional sports experience for Jerry Buss (eventual owner of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings), and for Bob Kraft (eventual owner of the NFL's New England Patriots and MLS's New England Revolution).
Elton John, a friend of Billie Jean King, wrote the hit single "Philadelphia Freedom" as a theme song for his favorite team.[7]
The first league ended play in 1978.
Second league
The league resumed play in 1981 as TeamTennis and fluctuated between four and twelve teams. In 1992, the name was changed back to World TeamTennis (WTT). In 2005, twelve teams competed.
Billie Jean King became Commissioner and major owner of the league in 1984, following her retirement from tournament tennis competition. She retired as Commissioner in February 2001 and Ilana Kloss became the new commissioner, a position she still holds. In March 2017, King sold WTT to venture capitalist Mark Ein and founder of ServiceNow Fred Luddy.
In 2013, World TeamTennis was re-branded Mylan World TeamTennis after Mylan, a generics and specialty pharmaceuticals company, announced a three-year agreement to serve as the title sponsor of WTT.[8]
In Jan 2019, Carlos Silva became the CEO and ushered in new deals with CBS and ESPN creating the largest ever audience for WTT on July 21 on CBS b’cast.
Many top tennis players have participated in the league over the years, including King, Rod Laver, Björn Borg, Chris Evert, John McEnroe, Evonne Goolagong, Jimmy Connors, Martina Navratilova,[9] Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Michael Chang, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Lindsay Davenport, Kim Clijsters, Martina Hingis, John Isner, Sam Querrey, Sloane Stephens, Naomi Osaka, Frances Tiafoe and many more. Connors and Goolagong were not allowed to participate in the 1974 French Open due to their associations with WTT.[10][11] Connors' exclusion from the French Open denied him the opportunity to become the first male player since Rod Laver to win all four Major singles titles in a calendar year.
Timeline
1974–1978
- Boston Lobsters (1974)
- Chicago Aces (1974)
- Cincinnati (never played) / Cleveland Nets (1974–1976) / Cleveland-Pittsburgh Nets (1977) / New Orleans Sun Belt Nets (1978)
- Dallas (1979 expansion franchise – never played)[12]
- Denver Racquets (1974) / Phoenix Racquets (1975–1978)
- Detroit Loves (1974) / Indiana Loves (1975–1978)
- Golden Gate Otters (never played) / San Francisco Golden Gaters (1974–1978)
- Houston E-Z Riders (1974)
- Los Angeles (1979 expansion franchise – never played)[12]
- Los Angeles Strings (1974–1978)
- Minnesota Buckskins (1974)
- New York Sets (1974–1976) / New York Apples (1977–1978)[13]
- Pennsylvania Keystones (never played) / Soviet National Team (1977, often simply called "The Soviets") / Anaheim Oranges (1978)
- Philadelphia Freedoms (1974) / Boston Lobsters (1975–1978)
- Phoenix (never played) / Baltimore Banners (1974)
- Pittsburgh Triangles (1974–1976)
- St. Louis (never played) / Florida Flamingos (1974)
- San Diego (1979 expansion franchise – never played)[12]
- San Diego Friars (1975–1978)
- San Diego Swingers (never played) / Hawaii Leis (1974–1976) / Sea-Port Cascades (1977) / Seattle Cascades (1978)
- Toronto-Buffalo Royals (1974) / Hartford Royals (never played)
1981–1991
League play resumed in 1981 as TeamTennis with four California teams, expanding to eight teams in 1982. In 1985 a recreational league for non-professionals was added, which was co-branded with the professional league.
1992–1999
In 1992, the current name World TeamTennis was restored.
- Minnesota Penguins, 1993
- Idaho Sneakers, 1994–1997
- New Jersey Stars, 1987–1995 (relocated and became the Delaware Smash)
- Phoenix Smash, 1992–1994
2000–present
In 2000 the current logo was adopted. In 2005 & 2006 the league consisted of 12 teams and in 2007 the Hartford FoxForce ceased operations. Prior to the 2008 season, the Houston Wranglers ceased operations and the Washington Kastles joined the league. In the 2009 season, 10 teams competed: Boston, NY Buzz, NY Sportime, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Kansas City, Newport Beach, Sacramento, Springfield, and St. Louis. Sacramento won the year-end Championship six times.
Before the start of the 2011 season the New York Buzz and the New York Sportimes merged into one New York team, the Sportimes.[14] During the 2011 season the Washington Kastles completed a perfect 16–0 schedule, winning their second championship in three seasons.
In 2012, the Washington Kastles completed their second consecutive perfect season, going 16–0 for the second season in a row to become the first professional sports franchise to go two complete seasons without a loss. Their 32-match winning streak is one shy of the major professional sports record of 33 consecutive wins set by the 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. They began the next season with 2 wins making their streak 34 games, setting the new record.
In 2013, World TeamTennis was renamed Mylan World TeamTennis after Mylan signed a three-year deal as the title sponsor. The Kansas City Explorers relocated to Irving, Texas, and became the Texas Wild. On November 21, 2013, the Orange County Breakers were sold, relocated to Austin, Texas and renamed the Austin Aces.[15] On January 16, 2014, the New York Sportimes were sold, relocated to San Diego and renamed the San Diego Aviators.[16] On February 4, 2014, the Sacramento Capitals were relocated to Las Vegas and renamed the Las Vegas Neon.[17] On March 5, 2014 the Las Vegas Neon franchise was terminated, leaving the league with seven teams.[18]
On February 23, 2015, WTT announced that a new ownership group had taken control of the Texas Wild and moved the team to Citrus Heights, California, renaming it the California Dream.[19]
On January 13, 2016, WTT announced that the California Dream franchise had been terminated.[20] On February 17, 2016, the Boston Lobsters had ceased operations[21] and had been replaced with a new franchise called the New York Empire.[22] On March 13, 2017, Billie Jean King announced the sale of her majority share in WTT to Mark Ein, Washington Kastles founder and owner and Fred Luddy, owner of the San Diego Aviators.[23][24]
In March 2019, the league announced its expansion to eight teams for the 2019 season, with the creation of the Orlando Storm and the Vegas Rollers.[25]
On October 23, 2019, the league announced it would be awarding a record $5 million in prize money, including an additional $1 million for the postseason, during its 45th season and would be expanding again, adding two new franchises in 2020.[26]
In February 2020, the league announced its expansion to nine teams for the 2020 season with the Chicago Smash.[27]
In June 2020, WTT announced it would be the first major professional tennis league to resume operations since the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19. The league committed to play the entirety of its 45th season at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia from July 12-Aug. 2.[28]
Teams
| Team | City | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Smash | Chicago, Illinois | Credit Union 1 Arena |
| New York Empire | New York City | Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning |
| Orange County Breakers | Newport Beach, California | Palisades Tennis Club |
| Orlando Storm | Orlando, Florida | USTA National Campus |
| Philadelphia Freedoms | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Michael J. Hagan Arena |
| San Diego Aviators | Carlsbad, California | Omni La Costa Resort and Spa |
| Springfield Lasers | Springfield, Missouri | Mediacom Stadium at Cooper Tennis Complex |
| Vegas Rollers | Paradise, Nevada | Orleans Arena |
| Washington Kastles | Washington, D.C. | Kastles Stadium at Union Market[29] |
Finals
Results
Current WTT teams are shown in bold.
By team
| # | Team | Titles | Runner-ups | Years Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento Capitals | 6 | 4 | 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2007 |
| 2 | Washington Kastles | 6 | 0 | 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| 3 | Los Angeles Strings | 3 | 1 | 1978, 1981, 1990 |
| 4 | Springfield Lasers | 2 | 5 | 2018, 2019 |
| 5 | Orange County Breakers | 2 | 3 | 2004, 2017 |
| 6 | Philadelphia Freedoms | 2 | 2 | 2001, 2006 |
| 7 | Atlanta Thunder | 2 | 1 | 1991, 1992 |
| New Jersey Stars | 2 | 1 | 1994, 1995 | |
| San Antonio Racquets | 2 | 1 | 1986, 1989 | |
| 10 | Charlotte Heat | 2 | 0 | 1987, 1988 |
| New York Apples | 2 | 0 | 1976, 1977 | |
| San Diego Buds | 2 | 0 | 1984, 1985 | |
| 13 | Delaware Smash | 1 | 3 | 2003 |
| New York Buzz | 1 | 3 | 2008 | |
| 15 | Kansas City Explorers | 1 | 1 | 2010 |
| New York Empire | 1 | 1 | 2020 | |
| New York Sportimes | 1 | 1 | 2005 | |
| San Diego Aviators | 1 | 1 | 2016 | |
| St. Louis Aces | 1 | 1 | 1996 | |
| 20 | Chicago Fyre | 1 | 0 | 1983 |
| Dallas Stars | 1 | 0 | 1982 | |
| Denver Racquets | 1 | 0 | 1974 | |
| Pittsburgh Triangles | 1 | 0 | 1975 | |
| Wichita Advantage | 1 | 0 | 1993 |
By city
| # | City | Team(s) | Titles | Runner-ups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento, California | Capitals | 6 | 4 |
| 2 | Washington, D.C. | Kastles | 6 | 0 |
| 3 | New York City, New York | Apples, Buzz, Sportimes, Empire | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, California | Strings | 3 | 1 |
| San Diego, California | Buds, Aviators | 3 | 1 | |
| 6 | Newport Beach, California | Dukes, Breakers | 2 | 5 |
| Springfield, Missouri | Lasers | 2 | 5 | |
| 8 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Freedoms | 2 | 2 |
| 9 | Atlanta, Georgia | Thunder | 2 | 1 |
| Franklin Township, New Jersey | Stars | 2 | 1 | |
| San Antonio, Texas | Racquets | 2 | 1 | |
| 12 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Heat | 2 | 0 |
| 13 | Wilmington, Delaware | Smash | 1 | 3 |
| 14 | St. Louis, Missouri | Slims, Aces | 1 | 2 |
| 15 | Chicago, Illinois | Fyre, Smash | 1 | 1 |
| Kansas City, Missouri | Explorers | 1 | 1 | |
| 17 | Dallas, Texas | Stars | 1 | 0 |
| Denver, Colorado | Racquets | 1 | 0 | |
| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Triangles | 1 | 0 | |
| Wichita, Kansas | Advantage | 1 | 0 |
References
Inline citations
- McCoy, Adrian "Person of interest: Charles Reichblum (Dr. Knowledge)", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 15, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- AP "Plans for Pro Tennis League", The Daily Times, Salisbury, Maryland, October 5, 1972, page 20. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- Shrum, Rick "Love Triangles: Pittsburgh adored its World Team Tennis franchise", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 10, 2000. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- "World TeamTennis Firsts". World TeamTennis. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- "Chrissie Evert in 1976 World Team Tennis All-Stars Match". chrisevertdotnet (Youtube). Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- "Steve Dimitry's WTT Web Page". Steve Dimitry. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- King, Billie Jean; Jett, Tyler (July 20, 2012). "Philadelphia Freedom: The Story behind the Song". Philly.com. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
- "World TeamTennis and Mylan Announce Three-Year Collaboration". www.wtt.com. October 16, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
- "Sports People: Tennis – King Wants Navratilova to Finish Year". The New York Times. 1994-07-15.
- John Barrett, ed. (1975). World of Tennis '75. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 15–17. ISBN 9780362002171.
- "Connors, Goolagong 'Can't Play'". The Palm Beach Post. May 22, 1974.
- "Struggling WTT Adds Three New Franchises". The San Bernardino County Sun. December 1, 1978. p. 65.
- "WTT:Virginia Wade". World TeamTennis. Retrieved 2009-12-17. References both "Sets" and "Apples".
- "New York Sportimes to Play Two WTT Matches in Albany This Summer As World Team Tennis' New York Teams Consolidate" http://www.wtt.com/page.aspx?article_id=2411
- "Mylan World TeamTennis team relocates to Austin; Andy Roddick to star on team" http://www.austinacestennis.com/teams/article.aspx?article_id=4160
- "Mylan World TeamTennis team headed to San Diego" http://www.sandiegoaviators.com/teams/article.aspx?article_id=4247
- "Mylan World TeamTennis team relocates franchise to Las Vegas" http://www.lasvegasneontennis.com/teams/article.aspx?article_id=4290
- "League Statement on Las Vegas Franchise Termination" http://www.wtt.com/page.aspx?article_id=4330
- "Mylan World TeamTennis Returns to Sacramento Area in 2015 with California Dream". World TeamTennis. February 23, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
- "Sacramento pro tennis team folds". The Sacramento Bee. January 13, 2016.
- "WTT Updates Status of Boston Lobsters". OurSportsCentral. February 17, 2016.
- "Mylan WTT 2016 Season Includes NYC Return, Expanded Broadcast Coverage". OurSportsCentral. February 17, 2016.
- "World TeamTennis co-founder Billie Jean King sells majority stake of historic league to Mark Ein and Fred Luddy". www.wtt.com. World TeamTennis. March 13, 2017.
- Christopher Clarey (March 13, 2017). "With a Racket in One Hand, World Team Tennis Passes a Torch With the Other". The New York Times.
- Bill Bradley (March 5, 2019). "Las Vegas gains franchise in World Team Tennis league". Retrieved 2019-03-06.
- Baseline Staff (October 23, 2019). "WTT Adds $1 Million In Playoffs Prize Money For 2020". Retrieved 2019-10-23.
- World TeamTennis (February 10, 2020). "New World TeamTennis Expansion Franchise Chicago Smash To Debut Summer 2020". Retrieved 2020-02-18.
- World TeamTennis (June 1, 2020). "World TeamTennis Announces 2020 Season To Be Played At Historic Greenbrier Resort, July 12-Aug. 2". Retrieved 2020-06-01.
- https://washingtonkastles.com/2019/07/15/2019-wtt-season-begins-tonight/?blog_id=7
- "WTT History". World TeamTennis. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
- "Steve Dimitry's WTT Web Page". source data for 1981-2004. tennis-reference. Archived from the original on 2005-02-22. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- "World Team Tennis Past Champions". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved Jun 15, 2020.
General references
- Greg Hoffman, The Art of World Team Tennis, San Francisco Book Company, 1977 ISBN 0-913374-65-2
- World TeamTennis, Official Website
- Brief History of World TeamTennis. From the WTT site.
- WTT Logos
- More WTT Logos
- "Tennis: Navratilova, Connors picked". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. March 27, 1998. p. 3C.
External links
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