WTT Washington Kastles

Star-Studded Kastles Seek 4th Straight Title

Published on July 2, 2014 under World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


With three straight Mylan World TeamTennis titles, two perfect seasons and one record-setting win streak, what will the Washington Kastles do next?

Find out a week from today when D.C.'s dynasty begins its defense of the King Trophy at the state-of-the-art Smith Center, located at 600 22nd Street NW in Foggy Bottom.

Former World No. 1 Venus Williams (July 16), fast-rising American Sloane Stephens (July 22) and Top 20 singles player Kevin Anderson (July 9-10) headline the Kastles' star-studded 2014 roster.

Competing at all seven home matches for Washington will be two-time WTT Female MVP Martina Hingis, reigning US Open doubles champion Leander Paes, 2013 WTT Finals MVP Bobby Reynolds and World No. 21 doubles player Anastasia Rodionova .

The four-time WTT champions look to increase their home-court advantage as they move indoors to Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center. Washington has won 24 of its last 25 home matches, a run that began at the team's original venue at CityCenterDC and continued at its last location on The Wharf.

Kastles fans can expect an even more electric atmosphere in and around the Smith Center, which will feature high-definition instant replays, animated baseline scoreboards, comfortable chairs for all ticketholders, luxurious hospitality areas and 700 additional seats.

"We consistently strive to create some of the greatest fan experiences in all of tennis," said team owner Mark Ein . "I know our Kastles fans will love not only the comfort and new amenities at the Smith Center, but also the incredible intensity, energy and excitement they will find this summer in our new home."

Having completed a $43 million renovation in 2011, the Smith Center welcomes back professional tennis for the first time in nearly 25 years.

George Washington University's on-campus arena hosted the Volvo Classic men's event (1976-1980) and the Virginia Slims of Washington women's event (1977-1979, 1982-1986, 1990). More than 20 Hall-of-Famers have played at the Smith Center, including Arthur Ashe, Bjorn Borg, Chris Evert, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova and WTT co-founder Billie Jean King.

Tickets to the Kastles' seven home matches July 9-22 are now on sale starting at an all-time low of $8, allowing more fans to see the team than ever before. The Kastles will also present some of the most unique premium-seating options in D.C. sports, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before.

New in 2014, the Kastles Baseline Experience is an exclusive section where fans will sit directly behind the court and on the same level as the playing surface for a view unlike any other in pro tennis. Kastles Baseline Club seats overlook all the action from only 12 feet above the court, offering tremendous views of how the pros hit their shots and move their feet.

Individual match tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com, while Kastles Baseline Experience, Kastles Baseline Club and all season tickets can be purchased by calling 202-4-TENNIS (483-6647).

July 9 Giveaway - ALL Fans Receive a Kastles Championship Shirt!

WED. 7/9 vs. BOSTON LOBSTERS TICKETS: $8-$45

All fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Kastles championship shirt courtesy of GEICO when six-foot-eight South African Kevin Anderson returns to the Kastles for the team's home opener.

Anderson was a member of the 2013 Kastles team that tied, then broke, the major U.S. pro sports record for consecutive victories. The Top 20 star won the men's singles set in both of those matches, and also defeated former World No. 1 Andy Roddick 5-2.

Be forewarned if you're sitting in the Kastles Baseline Experience when Anderson comes to town. With serves nearing 140 miles per hour, Anderson bombed 15 aces in 19 service games for Washington last season.

The Lobsters are led by 2014 Australian Open men's doubles finalist Eric Butorac, Top 100 singles and doubles player Sharon Fichman, former William & Mary All-American Megan Moulton-Levy and ex-Springfield Laser Rik de Voest. Butorac is coming off a mixed doubles victory over Kastles captain Leander Paes at Wimbledon.

THU. 7/10 vs. PHILADELPHIA FREEDOMS TICKETS: $8-$45

Washington's record-setting win streak may be over, but the Kastles are still on several impressive runs. Washington has won 12 straight matches overall and 27 in a row against Eastern Conference opponents.

That bodes badly for the Philadelphia Freedoms, who haven't qualified for the WTT Playoffs since 2007. The Kastles didn't even exist back then, and their dominance of the league has forced teams like Philadelphia to upgrade their rosters. The Freedoms have done just that, and they will get two shots to end years of frustration when they visit D.C. twice in a four-day span.

Anderson returns for the second straight night to lead Washington against a Philadelphia squad that features World No. 5 men's doubles player Marcelo Melo, former World No. 1 women's doubles player Liezel Huber, Canadian Davis Cup veteran Frank Dancevic and 18-year-old American sensation Victoria Duval, who upset 2011 champion Samantha Stosur in the first round of the 2013 US Open.

SUN. 7/13 vs. PHILADELPHIA FREEDOMS TICKETS: $8-$45

Bring the kids to USTA Family Night at Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center, when the pre-match activities will feature interactive games, tennis clinics and fun for the entire family. The Freedoms return for another crack at the Kastles, and marquee match-ups are on the horizon.

Reigning US Open doubles champion Leander Paes and 2013 Wimbledon doubles finalist Marcelo Melo will go head-to-head in men's and mixed doubles. The Kastles captain Paes is 4-4 in ATP men's doubles matches and 1-1 in mixed doubles matches versus the Brazilian Melo.

Another rivalry will be renewed when Kastles closer Bobby Reynolds and new Freedom Frank Dancevic square off in men's singles. Reynolds holds a 7-6 edge over Dancevic on tour, but lost their last meeting during the 2014 Australian Open qualifying event.

July 14 Giveaway - ALL Fans Receive a Retro Kastles Shirt!

MON. 7/14 vs. SAN DIEGO AVIATORS TICKETS: $8-45

Don't miss the Kastles' second sensational giveaway of the season: All fans in attendance on July 14 will receive a retro Kastles shirt courtesy of TTR Sotheby's International Realty.

The New York Sportimes, Washington's fiercest foe, have moved to the Western Conference and been rebranded the San Diego Aviators in 2014. With new ownership comes an aggressive approach, and the inaugural Aviators team appears poised to challenge the Kastles for the WTT championship.

San Diego boasts 34th-ranked singles player Daniela Hantuchova, University of Virginia legend Somdev Devvarman, 2014 Australian Open men's doubles finalist Raven Klaasen and 2011 Wimbledon women's doubles champion Kveta Peschke. David Macpherson, the full-time coach of Bob and Mike Bryan, is at the helm of the Aviators.

Hantuchova, in particular, could present problems for the Kastles. The Slovak has been ranked as high as No. 5 in singles and doubles, and she owns the career Grand Slam in mixed. Hantuchova also knows Martina Hingis of the Kastles very well. They were doubles partners at five tournaments in 2013, including the US Open, and Hantuchova owns a 3-2 singles record against Hingis.

WED. 7/16 vs. TEXAS WILD TICKETS: $20-$80

Born just 105 days apart, Venus Williams and Martina Hingis have been rivals since they were baby-faced teens in the 1997 US Open final. They met 21 times during a 10-year span on the WTA Tour, including at all four Grand Slam tournaments.

But for one night only, they will rewrite their history as adversaries and become doubles partners for the very first time. Washington is 10-0 all-time when Williams is in the Kastles lineup, and 13-0 with Hingis. Put them and their 37 Grand Slam titles together and that spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E for Anabel Medina Garrigues and Darija Jurak of the Texas Wild.

Medina Garrigues, a two-time French Open doubles champion, and 2010 US Open doubles finalist Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi will be counted on to counter the Kastles' star power. If the Kastles need any extra motivation on what promises to be a magical night, it was the Wild who ended their record-setting 34-match win streak in 2013.

MON. 7/21 vs. BOSTON LOBSTERS TICKETS: $8-$45

Boston's second visit to Washington finds the Kastles without Kevin Anderson, but still with a sizable advantage. The Kastles have won 10 straight matches against Boston by an average of 9.2 games, highlighted by a 25-12 rout in the 2013 Eastern Conference Championship match.

Eric Butorac, back for his fifth season with the Lobsters, is playing the best tennis of his life. Earlier this season, he teamed with Raven Klaasen of the San Diego Aviators to reach the Australian Open final and win the Memphis title, beating World No. 1s Bob and Mike Bryan at both tournaments.

Team tennis veterans Rik de Voest and Megan Moulton-Levy join the Lobsters alongside WTT rookie Sharon Fichman. The 23-year-old Canadian has risen to career highs of No. 77 in singles and No. 51 in doubles this season.

TUE. 7/22 vs. SPRINGFIELD LASERS TICKETS: $12-$65

Sloane Stephens, who stunned Serena Williams in the 2013 Australian Open quarterfinals, makes her Kastles debut on July 22. Washington fans knew Stephens long before her breakout win over Serena. The World No. 18 competed against Washington twice in 2009 as a member of the New York Buzz.

Just 16 years old at the time, Stephens turned heads at Kastles Stadium at CityCenterDC by defeating Olga Puchkova 5-2 in singles and teaming with Mallory Burdette to beat Puchkova and former World No. 1 Rennae Stubbs 5-2 in doubles.

Five years later, Stephens will sport the red-and-blue against the Springfield Lasers in a rematch of the 2009 and 2013 WTT Finals. With the King Trophy on the line, the Kastles won both of those matches in D.C. But Springfield dealt Washington its only home loss since 2010 by beating the Kastles 22-15 during the 2013 regular season. Don't think coach Murphy Jensen and his Kastles have forgotten that.

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