WTT Washington Kastles

Serena Returns: World No. 1 Joins Kastles Alongside Venus, Querrey, Paes And Hingis

Published on March 16, 2015 under World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


Reigning Australian Open and US Open singles champion Serena Williams returns to the Washington Kastles this summer as the team seeks its fifth straight Mylan World TeamTennis title and sixth overall.

The World No. 1 will represent Washington in one home match at Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center during the Mylan WTT regular season July 12-29.

"Kastles Stadium is where I put on my first championship ring and played in front of the first lady," Williams said following Monday's Mylan WTT Draft. "I've got so many great memories as a Kastle and I'm looking forward to making more this summer."

Williams is joined on the Washington roster by her sister Venus Williams and three other members of the Kastles' 2014 championship team: Leander Paes, Martina Hingis and Anastasia Rodionova . Second-ranked American Sam Querrey rounds out coach Murphy Jensen 's squad.

Kastles owner Mark Ein made Serena Williams the first member of his inaugural team on February 19, 2008. Washington is on a nine-match winning streak with Serena, who previously played for the Kastles in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

Since then, Serena has risen from No. 172 to the top of the WTA rankings, captured titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments, and swept the singles and doubles gold medals at the London Olympics. She is 10-0 this season on the WTA Tour.

Her older sister and Olympic partner Venus Williams is also coming back to D.C. for one home match.

Currently ranked 17th, Venus is 15-3 on tour this season with a win over World No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki and two over World No. 8 Agnieszka Radwanska. At the Australian Open, she reached a Grand Slam singles quarterfinal for the first time since 2010.

Australian Open mixed doubles champions Leander Paes and Martina Hingis will again serve as two of the Kastles' core players. They are 17-2 in two seasons as Kastles mixed doubles partners and agreed to team up in Melbourne on their plane ride to the 2014 Mylan WTT Finals.

While Paes is slated to play the entire season for the Kastles, Hingis is scheduled for at least three home matches, select away matches, and all potential playoff matches.

The Hall-of-Famer Hingis will reunite with 22nd-ranked doubles player Anastasia Rodionova in women's doubles. A Kastle since 2012, Rodionova won women's doubles sets during each of the last three Mylan WTT championship matches.

Rounding out the Kastles is 43rd-ranked Sam Querrey, who replaces the retired Bobby Reynolds. The big-serving Querrey has won seven singles titles on the ATP World Tour, holds the tour record with 10 consecutive aces in a match, and has been ranked as high as No. 17 in singles and No. 23 in doubles.

Querrey previously played Mylan WTT for the St. Louis Aces (2008-09) and Sacramento Capitals (2012-13). He will represent the Kastles throughout the final two weeks of the regular season and is eligible to compete in the playoffs.

Altogether, the 2015 Kastles have captured 88 Grand Slam titles and spent 542 weeks atop the world rankings.

"Our 2015 roster may be our best ever, said Kastles owner Mark Ein. "I am so pleased for our fans that Serena is returning to D.C. while she is in the middle of proving that she may be the greatest female tennis player of all time.

"Serena, Venus, Martina and Leander have all won at least 15 Grand Slams. Along with Sam and Anastasia, they are coming together to keep the King Trophy in Washington."

In Mylan WTT's 40th season, Washington aims to become the first team in league history to win a fifth consecutive title. Should the Kastles successfully defend the King Trophy, they would tie the Sacramento Capitals for most overall titles with six.

Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center hosts seven regular season matches July 12-29, with the full schedule expected to be released later this month.

If Washington posts the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Kastles will have home court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Eastern Conference Championship match is scheduled for July 30, followed by the Mylan WTT Finals on August 2.

Single-match Kastles tickets go on sale this spring. In the meantime, fans are encouraged to secure season tickets to see Serena, Venus and the rest of the Kastles.

A limited number of four-seat VIP tables and boxes are available, as well as individual seats with innovative views in the Kastles Baseline Experience and Kastles Baseline Club. Season tickets start at $150 and can be purchased by calling 202-4-TENNIS (483-6647).

Season Tickets On Sale for Serena, Venus, Paes, Hingis

See the Stars at Smith Center with Season Tickets Starting at $150

Not one, not two, but three Australian Open champions are coming to Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center this summer!

World No. 1 Serena Williams makes her much-anticipated return to D.C., while the Kastles dream team of Leander Paes and Martina Hingis leads the team's quest for a sixth Mylan World TeamTennis title.

Throw in Venus Williams, Sam Querrey and Anastasia Rodionova, and this is one Kastles season that you won't want to miss!

Join the Kastles July 12-29 in our quest to pass the 1997-2000 Sacramento Capitals and become the first franchise in WTT's 40-year history to win five consecutive titles.

Season ticket packages start at $150 and range from VIP dinner tables to the one-of-a-kind Baseline Experience. All Kastles season tickets, boxes and tables can be purchased by calling 202-4-TENNIS (483-6647).

Please see below for details on our seven season ticket options. Pre-match VIP hospitality access is part of the first five plans, while invitations to exclusive Kastles social events are extended to every season ticket holder.

1) Celebrity Cruises VIP Dream Seats come with a delicious three-course dinner and an open bar. You never know who your neighbors will be: Michelle Obama has enjoyed VIP Dream Seats in each of the past four seasons. Located on the lower level along the south sideline, these four-seat tables have very limited availability and cost $6,500.

2) Premier Courtside Boxes include four of the closest seats to the court, bringing you only feet from fast-paced action. Never leave your great view thanks to in-seat food and beverage service. The price of Premier Courtside Boxes has not changed since 2011, but not many remain. Don't wait to secure your box and all its perks for $3,500.

3) Kastles Boxes feature angled views from the baseline, allowing you to make eye contact with the players between points and never bob your head back-and-forth to track the tennis ball again. Kastles Boxes come with four seats and include in-seat food and beverage service. Very few boxes are available in 2015 for the cost of $2,200.

4) The Kastles Baseline Experience puts fans on the same level as the court, directly behind the players. This section was a big hit in 2014 and will certainly sell out. Catch a service ace or capture a fantastic photo with the most unique view in pro tennis. Throw in the in-seat food and beverage service, and you've got a bargain at $800 per seat.

5) The Kastles Baseline Club is located along the east and west ends of the court, overlooking all of the action from only 12 feet above the baseline. If you love to watch how the pros hit their shots and move their feet, all while chowing down via in-seat food and beverage service, then these are the tickets for you. Act now for just $750 a seat.

6) Courtside Chairback seats have been a staple at Kastles Stadium since our inaugural 2008 season. These lower-level tickets provide great bang for your buck at only $375 per seat. It's no wonder that Courtside Chairbacks were the first section to sell out at the Smith Center last season. Don't miss out in 2015; get yours today!

7) Grandstand tickets are available throughout the upper level of Kastles Stadium. Sit behind the baseline or along the sideline; it's your choice! In either location, you'll pay only $150 per Grandstand seat for all seven Kastles home matches. Refuse to lose out on an amazing opportunity to see the five-time WTT champion Kastles next July.

Call 202-4-TENNIS (483-6647) for more details on season tickets or to place an order.

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World TeamTennis Stories from March 16, 2015


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