Kim Clijsters to play for St. Louis Aces
March 13, 2009 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
St. Louis Aces News Release
NEW YORK, N.Y. (March 13, 2009) -Kim Clijsters, a former world No. 1 in both singles and doubles, will play two matches for the St. Louis Aces in the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League. Clijsters will make her World TeamTennis debut for the Aces on July 21 in St. Louis and will play on the road in Philadelphia on July 22.
Clijsters retired from the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in May 2007 following a successful career that included 34 singles and 11 doubles titles. Clijsters captured the 2005 US Open Championship with a victory over Mary Pierce and was singles runner-up at the French Open in 2001 and 2003, and at the Australian Open in 2004. She also won the WTA Tour Championships in 2002 and 2003. Clijsters won Grand Slam doubles titles at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2003. Clijsters and her husband Brian Lynch have one daughter, Jada Ellie, born in February 2008.
Always a fan favorite, Clijsters is looking forward to her first experience with the co-ed team format of World TeamTennis, which was co-founded by Billie Jean King in 1974. "I am very honored that Billie Jean invited me," said Clijsters. "To play as a team is a very attractive concept. I always wanted to play World TeamTennis but it was difficult to combine with the WTA tournaments and my European season. I am very excited to play WTT for the first time."
Aces General Manager Dani Apted-Schlottman called the acquisition of Clijsters a big move for both the franchise and the fans. "Kim is a great player and she was always one of the most popular players on tour not only with fans, but with other players. I know our fans and her teammates will love her and I'm sure she can help us make a run for the King Trophy this year."
The Aces previously announced that Anna Kournikova was returning for another season in St. Louis. Kournikova will play in St. Louis on Saturday, July 11. The world's top doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan will visit St. Louis when their Kansas City Explorers team comes to town on July 19.
Season tickets are on sale now by calling the Aces office at 314-647-2237 or online at www.stloiusaces.com. Season tickets range from $220 to $400. VIP ticket packages, which include VIP parking, premier seating, hospitality and a special Aces Pro-Am event, begin at $350. Individual tickets go on sale June 1. The Aces will play all home matches at Dwight Davis Memorial Tennis Center in Forest Park. Home matches begin at 7:15 pm.
Clijsters joins an impressive list of previously announced marquee players set to play World TeamTennis in July, including Andre Agassi (Philadelphia), Serena Williams (Washington Kastles), Venus Williams (Philadelphia Freedoms), Martina Navratilova (Boston Lobsters), John McEnroe (New York Sportimes), Anna Kournikova (St. Louis Aces), Michael Chang (Sacramento Capitals), and Bob and Mike Bryan (Kansas City Explorers).
The 34th season of the Advanta WTT Pro League runs July 2-26, concluding with the Advanta WTT Finals where teams battle for the coveted King Trophy. The Aces lineup will be finalized at the Advanta WTT Roster Draft on March 31 in Miami.
2009 St. Louis Aces schedule -
Thursday, July 2 Boston Lobsters 7:15 PM CST
Saturday, July 4 New York Sportimes 7:15 PM CST
Monday, July 6 @ Philadelphia Freedoms 7:30 PM EST (Anna Kournikova - STL)
Tuesday, July 7 @ New York Sportimes 7:00 PM EST (Anna Kournikova - STL)
Wednesday, July 8 @ Washington Kastles 7:00 PM EST (Anna Kournikova - STL)
Friday, July 10 @ Springfield Lasers 7:30 PM CST (Anna Kournikova - STL)
Saturday, July 11 Springfield Lasers 7:15 PM CST (Anna Kournikova - STL)
Monday, July 13 @ Sacramento Capitals 7:30 PM PST (Anna Kournikova - STL)
Wednesday, July 15 Newport Beach Breakers 7:15 PM CST
Friday, July 17 Sacramento Capitals 7:15 PM CST
Saturday, July 18 @ Springfield Lasers 7:05 PM CST
Sunday, July 19 Kansas City Explorers 7:15 PM CST (Bob & Mike Bryan - KC)
Tuesday, July 21 Springfield Lasers 7:15 PM CST (Kim Clijsters - STL)
Wednesday, July 22 @ Philadelphia Freedoms 7:30 PM EST (Kim Clijsters - STL)
World TeamTennis Stories from March 13, 2009
- Kim Clijsters to play WTT for St. Louis Aces - WTT
- Kim Clijsters to play for St. Louis Aces - St. Louis Aces
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