WTT Washington Kastles

Arlington Native and Rising Star Denis Kudla Joins Kastles

Published on June 26, 2015 under World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


Denis Kudla of the Washington Kastles
Denis Kudla of the Washington Kastles
(Washington Kastles, Credit: Camerawork USA)

Arlington native Denis Kudla will play for his hometown team when he represents the Washington Kastles July 12-18.

Kudla is an alum of the College Park Tennis Club and its award-winning Junior Tennis Champions Center. The 22-year-old will celebrate a homecoming of sorts less than 15 miles away inside Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center.

"I am excited to play for the Washington Kastles this summer," said Kudla. "Growing up and training in Washington, I have seen the success of the Kastles over the years, and now I get a chance to contribute towards a fifth consecutive WTT title. I'm pumped."

Kudla will play men's singles and men's doubles for the Kastles alongside 15-time Grand Slam champion Leander Paes. He is filling in for World No. 44 Sam Querrey, who debuts for the Kastles on July 20 after competing at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, R.I.

It's already been a big week for the newest Kastle. On June 20, Kudla captured his fifth ATP Challenger title in Ilkley, England. That victory helped Kudla earn a Wimbledon wild card and jump 26 spots to No. 105 in the ATP World Tour rankings.

With a 9-1 record in his last 10 matches, Kudla looks to pull off an upset when he meets No. 28 seed Pablo Cuevas in the Wimbledon first round on Monday.

Kudla qualified and won his opening-round match at Wimbledon in 2013 and 2014. He has also appeared in two tour-level quarterfinals on grass courts, defeating 2014 Wimbledon semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov and 2009 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Ivo Karlovic on the quick surface.

While training under JTCC coach Frank Salazar, Kudla ended his junior career by taking current World No. 31 Jack Sock to three sets in the 2010 US Open boys final. Less than three years later, Kudla cracked the ATP Top 100 with four wins at Wimbledon.

"Denis has worked unbelievably hard to get where he is today," said Kastles owner Mark Ein. "I have known Denis since he was very young and we are unbelievably proud to be able to showcase this future star and hometown hero. His evolution from College Park to Kastles Stadium is inspirational to all aspiring local players."

In Mylan World TeamTennis' 40th season July 12-29, Washington aims to become the first team 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 starting at $12 are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com or 202-397-7328. Season tickets start at $150 and can be purchased by calling 202-4-TENNIS (483-6647).

WASHINGTON KASTLES 2015 HOME LINEUPS

July 14: Venus Williams, Leander Paes, Anastasia Rodionova, Denis Kudla

July 16: Leander Paes, Anastasia Rodionova, Denis Kudla, Madison Brengle

July 18: Leander Paes, Anastasia Rodionova, Denis Kudla, Madison Brengle

July 21: Serena Williams, Sam Querrey, Leander Paes, Anastasia Rodionova

July 26: Martina Hingis, Sam Querrey, Leander Paes, Anastasia Rodionova

July 27: Martina Hingis, Sam Querrey, Leander Paes, Anastasia Rodionova

July 29: Sam Querrey, Leander Paes, Anastasia Rodionova, 4th Player TBA

Playoffs: Martina Hingis, Sam Querrey, Leander Paes, Anastasia Rodionova

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Images from this story

Denis Kudla of the Washington Kastles
Denis Kudla of the Washington Kastles
(Camerawork USA)		 Denis Kudla of the Washington Kastles
Denis Kudla of the Washington Kastles
(Camerawork USA)		 Denis Kudla of the Washington Kastles
Denis Kudla of the Washington Kastles
(Camerawork USA)



World TeamTennis Stories from June 26, 2015


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