Kournikova Out For Aces
July 3, 2009 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
St. Louis Aces News Release
The Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League announced late today that St. Louis Aces' Anna Kournikova would not be competing in this year's WTT season, due to severe tenosynovitis in her left wrist, which was caused when practicing for what would have been her seventh season of World TeamTennis play.
Kournikova will however still travel with her team and support them for matches in Philadelphia (July 6); Washington, D.C. (July 8); Springfield, Mo. (July10); and St. Louis (July 11).
Her visit to the Springfield market will include a clinic with area youth, including those from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield, a charity very close to Kournikova. The visit will also include a scheduled news conference with media and an autograph session and photo opportunities with sponsors and spectators. In addition, more opportunities for fan interaction are being worked out at this time with the league and Kournikova representatives.
"We're obviously disappointed that Anna won't be able to play while she's visiting next week here in Springfield," said team advisor Bob Belote. "However we are finalizing details to create more opportunities for her to interact with the fans who attend the July 10 match. We have a friendly running rivalry with St. Louis and their team each year, so we know that the level of tennis will still be something area fans won't want to miss. Kournikova has been a player our fans have consistently asked for us to bring in, and we're happy that they'll be able to have that opportunity to meet her next week. "
"I was really looking forward to playing WTT for the seventh year in a row," said Kournikova. "So I am extremely disappointed that I won't be able to compete this year. As an athlete it's always hard to deal with an injury, but I am still very excited to travel with my team and to fulfill my commitments surrounding the matches. I will continue to work on my rehabilitation and I am looking forward to next year's WTT season."
Tickets are still available for the Friday, July 10 Springfield Lasers match against the St. Louis Aces. The Lasers opened their season last night with a 21-16 win against the Philadelphia Freedoms. Local stand-in women's player Blair Henley helped the team to its victory. Lasers team member Vania King is scheduled to arrive in Springfield tomorrow from London and will play at the Lasers next home match this Sunday, July 5.
For more information on the Springfield Lasers team, visit www.springfieldlasers.com. The 2009 Advanta WTT Pro League season runs July 2-26 in 10 U.S. markets, and concludes with the Advanta WTT Finals on July 26 in Washington, D.C. The lineup of stars playing WTT this season includes Andre Agassi, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, Michael Chang, and Bob and Mike Bryan.
World TeamTennis Stories from July 3, 2009
- 3 Kastles Players & Venus Still In Hunt for 3 Wimbledon Championships - Washington Kastles
- Kournikova Out For Aces - St. Louis Aces
- Breakers Fall in Season Debut - Orange County Breakers
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