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WTT Philadelphia Freedoms

Philadelphia Freedoms Draft Melanie Oudin

February 15, 2011 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Philadelphia Freedoms News Release


(PHILADELPHIA, Pa.) - The Philadelphia Freedoms selected U.S. teen tennis star Melanie Oudin with their first pick in the 2011 World TeamTennis Marquee Player Draft this afternoon. The Freedoms also announced that they will host tennis stars John McEnroe, Venus Williams, and the Bryan Brothers (Bob and Mike) during the 2011 season of the WTT Pro League presented by GEICO. Each will appear at Freedoms' home matches in July 2011. The Freedoms will play seven home matches at The Pavilion at Villanova University; match dates to be announced.

Oudin, 19, is a newcomer to the WTT Pro League. Oudin burst onto the tennis scene when she defeated former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic in 2009 at Wimbledon en route to making her first 4th round appearance at a Grand Slam. The win not only marked her first victory over a Top 10 player but also her debut into the WTA's Top 100. At the 2009 US Open, Oudin had come from behind wins over Elena Dementieva, Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova, making her the youngest American Grand Slam quarterfinalist since Serena Williams at the 1999 US Open. Oudin has experience in international team play, competing on the US Fed Cup team over the past year.

Former world No. 1, John McEnroe will be visiting Philadelphia as part of his 11th season with World TeamTennis, his 10th with the New York Sportimes. McEnroe won seven Grand Slam singles titles including three Wimbledon Championships and four US Opens, and 10 Grand Slam doubles titles. During his long career on the ATP Tour, the Hall of Famer also won 77 singles and 71 doubles titles.

Now in her 8th season with World TeamTennis, former Freedoms player Venus Williams returns to Villanova with her Washington Kastles' teammates. Williams, a 7-time Grand Slam singles and 12-time Grand Slam doubles champion, has won 43 WTA singles titles and 18 doubles titles. The former world No. 1 in both singles and doubles also has three Gold medals from the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games.

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

Season tickets are available starting today for the 2011 WTT season. Season ticketholders enjoy the benefits of tickets to each of the seven Philadelphia Freedoms home games, reserved parking and a separate, private entrance into the Pavilion at Villanova University. More information about season tickets is available online at www.philadelphiafreedoms.com or by phone at (212) 586-3444.

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