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WTT Philadelphia Freedoms

Freedoms Season Home Opener On July 6

March 10, 2011 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Philadelphia Freedoms News Release


(PHILADELPHIA, Pa.) The world's top tennis pros are returning to Villanova this summer as the Philadelphia Freedoms today announced their 2011 World TeamTennis schedule. The Freedoms open their home season at the Pavilion at Villanova University on Wednesday, July 6, 7 p.m., against Venus Williams and the Washington Kastles.

Former world number one player and 2010 WTT Female MVP Lindsay Davenport will visit Philadelphia on July 12 playing for the St. Louis Aces. Legendary Hall of Famer John McEnroe, playing for the New York Sportimes, returns to Philly on July 13 in a blockbuster evening which will also include the Freedoms' top marquee draft pick and rising teenage star, Melanie Oudin.

The Freedoms' seven home match schedule will continue through July 19 with the final match-up featuring the world's number one doubles team, brothers Bob and Mike Bryan, playing for the defending WTT Champion Kansas City Explorers. The Freedoms also play seven road matches during the 2011 regular season of the WTT Pro League presented by GEICO.

Individual match tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 11 at 8 a.m. exclusively through ComcastTIX online at ComcastTIX.com, or by phone at 866-WTT-TIXS. All seats are reserved.

Season tickets are now available for the 2011 WTT season. Season ticketholders enjoy the benefits of prime location seats to each of the seven Philadelphia Freedoms home games, reserved parking, a private entrance into the Pavilion, and many more special amenities. More information about season tickets is available online at www.philadelphiafreedoms.com or by phone at 866-WTT-TIXS.

 

All Freedoms home matches will be played indoors at the air-conditioned Villanova Pavilion featuring world-class tennis in an innovative, fast-paced World TeamTennis format.  Each evening will include exciting pre-match Block Parties with USTA Quick Start Tennis, live music, inflatables, mascots, kids' games, prizes, food, and much more.

Now in her 8th season with World TeamTennis former Freedoms player Venus Williams returns to Villanova with the Washington Kastles. Williams, a 7-time Grand Slam singles and 12-time Grand Slam doubles champion, has won 43 WTA singles titles and 18 doubles titles. She has been ranked number one in the world in both singles and doubles and was a Gold Medalist at the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games.

Former world number one player, Lindsay Davenport, returns to Philadelphia playing for the St. Louis Aces. Last year, Davenport led WTT in women's singles wins en route to her second WTT Female MVP award. She is a three-time Grand Slam singles finalist and an Olympic Gold Medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Another former world number one, John McEnroe, will be visiting Philadelphia as part of his 11th season with World TeamTennis and his 10th playing for the New York Sportimes. McEnroe won seven Grand Slam singles titles including three Wimbledon and four U.S. Open Championships. During his celebrated career on the ATP Tour McEnroe captured 77 singles and 71 doubles titles, including 10 Grand Slam doubles titles. He was the U.S. Davis Cup Captain and a member of five winning U.S. Davis Cup teams.

 

Melanie Oudin is the Freedoms top pick in the 2011 WTT Marquee Player Draft and this year will make her Freedoms and WTT debut. Oudin burst onto the tennis scene at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships, reaching her first 4th round Grand Slam appearance. She followed that with 2009 US Open wins over Elena Dementieva, Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova, becoming the youngest American Grand Slam quarterfinalist since Serena Williams in 1999. Oudin has represented the U.S. in Federation Cup play during the past year.

 

Bob and Mike Bryan are returning to the lineup for the 2010 WTT Champion Kansas City Explorers for their 7th consecutive season, and 9th overall with the League. The Bryan Brothers, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, recently won their 10th Grand Slam doubles title at the Australian Open, extending their record-setting ATP World Tour championship count to 68.

Team rosters will be completed on Tuesday, March 15, when the 2011 WTT Roster Player Draft is conducted. With WTT's gender-balanced team concept, each team is comprised of two men, two women and a coach. Team matches consist of five events, with one set each of men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.

Philadelphia Freedoms 2011 Home Schedule, all matches begin at 7:05 pm:

July 6, Wednesdayvs. Washington Kastles (Venus Williams)

July 7, Thursdayvs. New York Sportimes

July 12, Tuesdayvs. St. Louis Aces (Lindsay Davenport)

July 13, Wednesday vs. New York Sportimes (John McEnroe - Sportimes // Melanie Oudin - Freedoms)

July 15, Fridayvs. Boston Lobsters

July 18, Mondayvs. Newport Beach Breakers

July 19, Tuesdayvs. Kansas City Explorers (Bryan Brothers)

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