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WTT Washington Kastles

Venus Williams Joins Kastles for Entire 2020 WTT Season

June 26, 2020 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


The six-time WTT champion Washington Kastles have doubled-down on their bid to take back the King Trophy this summer in West Virginia.

The franchise confirmed yesterday that 23-time Grand Slam champion, four-time Olympic gold medalist, and five-time World TeamTennis champ Venus Williams has committed to play the entire 45th season of WTT for the Kastles. The three-week season is scheduled from July 12-30 at The Greenbrier "America's Resort" in White Sulphur Springs, W.V.

Williams will play her 15th season of WTT for the Kastles, a team she led to the King Trophy on four occasions in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. She won her first King Trophy in 2006, while playing for the Philadelphia Freedoms, and was named WTT Final MVP in 2012, when she memorably led the Kastles to their third championship title, and second-consecutive perfect season, with a final set victory over the Sacramento Capitals' CoCo Vandeweghe, a highlight she has often called one of her favorite on-court moments.

"I'm excited to be playing World TeamTennis with the Kastles again this year," Williams said. "It's always a great time and I'm looking forward to getting back on the court, embracing the team approach, and hopefully leading the Kastles to another King Trophy."

Throughout her illustrious and highly decorated professional career, Williams has won five Wimbledon Championships, two US Open singles titles, 16 Grand Slam doubles titles and four Olympic gold medals, including gold medals in both singles and doubles competition at the 2000 Sydney Games.

The summer of 2000 was also the same year Williams made her WTT debut for the St. Louis Aces. Since then, she has played for the Delaware Smash (2005), Freedoms (2006-09), and the Kastles (2010-12, 2014-15, 2017-19.)

This summer, Williams will headline a promising Kastles roster that will feature DC's own Frances Tiafoe, Kastles Hall of Famer and two-time Kastles champion MVP Arina "Hot Rod" Rodionova, WTT veteran and former All-American at Chapel Hill Nick Monroe, Croatian southpaw and world # 60 Bernarda Pera, and Davis Cup veteran for El Salvador Marcelo Arevalo, both of whom will make their WTT debut this summer.

Coached by former world #15 Robby Ginepri, the Kastles will look to win a record-breaking seventh WTT championship, and their piece of the record $5 million in prize money, and an added $1 million up for grabs for the top teams to advance to the WTT Playoffs and Final on Aug. 1-2.

DC's own Frances Tiafoe will join Williams on the Kastles bench this summer, as the franchise seeks to win a record-setting seventh WTT title at The Greenbrier. (Kevin Koski)

Williams leads an already star-studded lineup of players who are set to compete at The Greenbrier, including reigning Australian Open singles champion Sofia Kenin, 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens, doubles legends Bob and Mike Bryan, former world Top-10 Jack Sock, 2016 Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig, and former Wimbledon singles finalists Milos Raonic and Genie Bouchard.

All of WTT's 2020 regular season and playoff matches will be televised or streamed on CBS, CBS Sports Network, Tennis Channel or the ESPN family of networks!

In addition, select matches will be live-streamed on ESPN+, Facebook Watch or WTT.com. WTT's complete season broadcast schedule will be announced on WTT.com at a later date.

Those wanting to catch one of WTT's most memorable seasons in person, or participate in exclusive clinics conducted by select WTT players through specific VIP ticket options, can secure tickets now at WTTTickets.com.

General admission tickets start at $40 for Upper Bowl seats at Center Court at Creekside and vary depending on the day of the week.

NOTE: Safety guidelines have been put into place by WTT with guidance of local and state government officials in West Virginia and in adherence to all health and safety protocols set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Every fan at The Greenbrier will be required to pass a temperature check of under 100.4 degrees before entering the grounds. All fans will be required to wear a face covering during the matches and will be checked a second time before entering the outdoor stadium, Center Court at Creekside, or indoor court for any matches, and will be denied entry should they fail the temperature check.

If matches are moved indoors, as a result of weather on any given day, only 250 fans will be allowed in the indoor facility. All Lower Bowl and Front Row ticket holders will be guaranteed seats to the indoor facility.

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