WTT Orange County Breakers

Newport Beach takes Sampras as top pick in WTT Draft

Published on March 28, 2006 under World TeamTennis (WTT)
Orange County Breakers News Release


(Miami) - The Newport Beach Breakers worked their way to the top of the draft through a trade with the Houston Wranglers to grab Pete Sampras as the first selection in today's World TeamTennis Pro League draft in Miami. The 2006 WTT Pro League presented by Advanta begins the 31st season of play July 6 in 12 U.S. markets. Sampras, whose WTT debut marks his return to pro tennis competition, is one of several well-known names set to play for the professional co-ed tennis league in 2006. Other top marquee picks included Venus Williams (Philadelphia Freedoms), John McEnroe (New York Sportimes), Anna Kournikova (Sacramento Capitals), Martina Hingis (New York Sportimes), Martina Navratilova (Boston Lobsters), Todd Martin (Boston Lobsters), Anastasia Myskina (Springfield Lasers) and the doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan (Kansas City Explorers). Set to pick 11th in the first round, the Breakers moved to the top spot via a deal with the Houston Wranglers for financial consideration. In other draft day action, Philadelphia passed on their first round pick but made a major acquisition by picking up Venus Williams from the Delaware Smash for financial consideration. The Freedoms strengthened their roster by protecting Lisa Raymond, currently ranked No. 2 in the world in women's doubles. Defending champion New York Sportimes protected their rights to McEnroe and Hingis. Hoping to improve upon their last-place finish in 2005, the Wranglers looked to the younger stars to build their 2006 squad, protecting American Mardy Fish and drafting German teenager Anna- Lena Groenefeld in the exempt player round. Anastasia Myskina returns to the League to play for the Springfield Lasers for the fourth time. Mike and Bob Bryan will return to Kansas City as the Explorers protected the Bryans . WTT newcomer Todd Martin will join Navratilova on the Lobsters and fan-favorite Kournikova returns for her second season with the Sacramento Capitals. Sacramento is also bringing back teenage sensation Nicole Vaidisova. The 12 WTT teams completed their 2006 rosters by drafting or protecting 48 players in the four rounds of the Roster Player Draft. Jan-Michael Gambill was the first pick in the Roster Player Draft. The regular season runs July 6-26 with the top two teams from the Eastern Conference and the top two from the Western Conference advancing to the WTT Finals Weekend, July 28- 30, in Newport Beach, Calif. The four teams will be seeded based on their regular season records, regardless of conference. The regular season schedule will be released by mid-April.

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