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WTT Orange County Breakers

Newport Beach Breakers Select Pete Sampras with Top WTT Marquee Draft Pick

February 15, 2011 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Orange County Breakers News Release


NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (February 15, 2011) - The Newport Beach Breakers are bringing one of the biggest names in tennis history back for the 2011 season. The Breakers selected Pete Sampras with the first overall pick in the World TeamTennis Marquee Player Draft today.

Sampras, a former world No. 1 and 14-time Grand Slam champion, previously played for the Breakers in 2006 and 2007. Since retiring from the tour in 2003, the legend's post-retirement tennis career remains active, and he still holds the Wimbledon record for most men's singles championships (7) and the record for the most weeks at No. 1, a position he held for a total of 286 weeks during his 15-year pro tour career.

The 2011 World TeamTennis Marquee Draft pool was choc-full of top-tier talent from several generations, and the Newport Beach Breakers scored some major stars for when the 36th season of the WTT Pro League presented by GEICO kicks off this July. Co-founded by Billie Jean King, the WTT Pro League features some of the biggest names in tennis playing the innovative WTT coed team format.

In addition to adding Sampras to their roster, the Breakers are also bringing in a few big names for Marquee Player visits this season, including up-and-coming American Sam Querrey and current world No. 1 doubles pair Mike and Bob Bryan.

Querrey, a California native, is currently ranked No. 18 in the world and will be playing this season for the Washington Kastles. The Bryan Brothers, who are also native Californians, just won their 10th Grand Slam doubles title together at the Australian Open and will be returning to the defending WTT Champion Kansas City Explorers for their 7th consecutive season, and 9th overall in the league.

Coach Trevor Kronemann, who's coached the Breakers since 2007, is excited about the team's acquisition of all-time great Sampras and is looking forward to the visits of next generation players such as Querrey and the Bryans. "Pete brings great leadership to our team," said Kronemann. "It's also great for fans to see the current generation of U.S. stars. It will be a very competitive and exciting season."

The Breakers will continue to add to their lineup when the WTT Roster Player Draft rolls around on Tuesday, March 15. The 2011 schedule will be released in early March.

In July 2011, the Breakers will play 14 regular season matches, including seven home matches at their home venue, The Tennis Club Newport Beach (1602 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach, Calif. 92660). The Breakers' primary beneficiary is the Hoag Hospital Foundation.

Tickets for the 2011 season will go on sale in late March. For tickets, sponsorship and more information, visit www.NewportBeachBreakers.com or call Tracy Harris at (949)-660-1001.

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