Boston Lobsters Protect Rights to Blake, Isner at WTT Marquee Player Draft
February 15, 2011 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Boston Lobsters News Release
MIDDLETON, MASS. - World TeamTennis held its Marquee Player Draft this afternoon, and the Boston Lobsters used their two picks to protect their rights to James Blake and John Isner.
The Lobsters also secured three visits from opposing marquee players today: Anna Kournikova, Melanie Oudin and Mark Philippoussis.
"We've got a great array of personalities and styles for all the WTT fans and Lobster fans, and the competition is always close and great," said Boston coach Bud Schultz. "It's a great combination of the youth movement in American tennis in Melanie and John, and someone who has been a mainstay in American tennis in James Blake."
"It gets better each year and we're going to build on our semifinal finish of last year," he added.
The dates of all marquee player appearances will be announced when the WTT releases the 2011 schedule in early March.
Blake and Isner will each make one appearance at separate home matches this season.
Blake took the court twice for Boston in a home-and-home split with the New York Sportimes early in the 2010 season, and reached the quarterfinals of the If Stockholm Open in October.
Isner faced off with the Springfield Lasers for the Lobsters last summer, just days after his historic victory over Nicolas Mahut of France at Wimbledon, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68. The longest match in tennis history at eleven hours and five minutes, spanning three days, saw Isner set Wimbledon records for most games won (92) and aces (113).
Kournikova and Philippoussis will appear separately at the Ferncroft Country Club to play for the St. Louis Aces, whom the Lobsters are set to host twice this season. Rising teenage star Oudin will appear in Middleton for the Philadelphia Freedoms.
"Mark is one of the more flamboyant characters on the tour in the last 20 years and someone who still has a great game," said Schultz. "I think it works perfect with the WTT atmosphere; he has a great personality and great presence and people will enjoy watching him."
The Lobsters will finalize their 2011 team at the WTT Roster Player Draft on March 15.
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- Aces Draft Philippoussis, Davenport & Kournikova - St. Louis Aces
- Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Sam Querrey Lead 2011 Kastles - Washington Kastles
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- Boston Lobsters Protect Rights to Blake, Isner at WTT Marquee Player Draft - Boston Lobsters
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