WTT Conference Call Quotes

July 8, 2020 - World TeamTennis (WTT) News Release

On the approach to the season and what fans and viewers can look forward to:

Carlos Silva: We are excited to launch our 45th season of World TeamTennis. I think everyone has known over the last two or three months that we never really knew where things were going, in terms of stay-home orders and COVID going up and down. We knew that we were not going to be able to go to our cities, with our ninth city being the Chicago Smash, anchored by Sloane and her coach, Kamau Murray, which is unfortunate. We worked extremely hard to try and find the right place to bring all nine of our teams to a safe environment, so we could have our season. I am already here at The Greenbrier and am excited to see all the play, and I am also excited that we have a world-class medical clinic here on site, and The Greenbrier staff has been very helpful. I think we have put up a set of guidelines that are simple, that are smart, and they make sense. Everyone is testing before they leave their home prior to coming to The Greenbrier, and when they arrive here before competition, they will be tested again. While we are waiting for those tests to come back, players will be using room service. The competition starts Sunday at noon (ET), and so far all the procedures are in place. We are very happy with what we have done, but also know every single day we need to be diligent, as we have been over the last couple of months. So yes, it has been a long road, and we are never out of the woods until a team holds the King Trophy on August 2, live on CBS. I am super excited that the 45th season is now only a few days away; it is going to be a great season. We have some great (media) distribution partners in CBS and ESPN, and for the first time in 45 years, our finals will be broadcasted live on CBS August 2.

On the opportunity to play for the Chicago Smash, in the 2020 WTT season, and going to The Greenbrier:

Sloane Stephens: Obviously, playing here in Chicago would have been awesome, but I have spent a lot of time here (Chicago) so my coach is always here with me, and I thought the expansion team was just a great opportunity to bring more tennis to Chicago and make it a really fun environment. Obviously, due to COVID, we must adjust, and I think it will still be a great opportunity for people in Chicago to see a fun team. I am extremely excited to play for Chicago, and hopefully next year we can play here and bring some excitement. If you look at the lineups of all the teams, they are stacked, which is amazing. There is going to be a lot of good competition. It is really fast play, so it will be really interesting to see how people play after not playing for a while. I think it will be great competition. Everyone is looking forward to playing, and with some of the best players in the world you have to watch, right?

On playing for the New York Empire and expectations going forward:

Kim Clijsters: I am excited that I am able to play some matches in a few days. I have played for the New York Empire in the past, and it was a great experience. I enjoyed the team atmosphere and the fun that you have. I think our coach (Luke Jensen) puts a lot of focus on having a lot of fun within the team, both on and off the court, so that works for me. I am looking forward to joining the team, and everyone getting together to practice hard and support each other through tough matches. Like Sloane said, some of the best players in the world are playing, so we will see how everyone reacts after being off for a few months. This is a great opportunity to work towards what comes next, and I am looking forward to the team competition.

Q: What has your ramp-up training regimen been? What have you been doing over the last three weeks to get ready?

Clijsters: Well in the last three weeks, the intensity has definitely gone up. I think after Indian Wells got cancelled, I came home to New Jersey and waited to see what was going to happen with the Miami tournament. And then we were stuck here for a good month, month and a half. So then the first few weeks, I just took time off to let a few little injuries heal and then when we were able to fly back to Belgium, started training there. The last three weeks have been working hard and getting used to the hot weather here. Just slowly working your way into getting match ready and working on the things that have to improve still and keep working on those things. In a way, it's been good to be able to work on the things that maybe when you're playing tournaments you don't always have a lot of time to work on. So that's what I've been trying to do. I had a couple little knee issues, so just making sure that those things were healed first and then starting to take my time to slowly build up the intensity.

Q: For Sloane, do you feel like you're in a good spot with the ramp-up and are you where you want to be right now?

Stephens: Yeah, definitely. I think my progression has been good. Obviously, having been kind of limited, I was down in Florida so it was kind of closed, kind of open and kind of just balancing that. But once I got going, it was pretty good. I played down in Charleston like two weeks ago, and I got to play some matches there which was really good and I could kind of feel the level of where I was at. And I've had two weeks now to kind of adjust and work on the things I need to work on which has been good. Lose a few pounds, which was definitely needed. And yeah, just get ready for World TeamTennis and be ready to play again but excited to be improving and working on things again that I know I can implement in a match setting and a competition setting. It's been good so far.

Q: After the World TeamTennis season, what is the rest of your tennis calendar for the rest of the summer and early fall look like?

Stephens: Oh, well I mean, I don't even know what I'm doing tomorrow. If I'm going to be able to leave here. Honestly, I have no clue what my life looks like. This is the most unorganized and hectic time I've ever had. The WTA put out a provisional schedule and things like that, but obviously with travel restrictions and borders and all of that happening, I honestly couldn't even tell you what that looks like. Things are changing every day and I can say for the first time in my life, I literally have no idea what I'm doing. So, that doesn't answer your question at all but I have no clue.

Q: I'm wondering your comfort level not only going into this World TeamTennis setup, but for some of the other tournaments that are scheduled for later in the year?

Clijsters: I think for me and for us, our family, in the beginning, when the rules were made and changed a lot of times, it took some adjustment to get used to everything but I think now we've adjusted really well and a lot of things have become a routine. So, that's how we will keep ourselves comfortable knowing that we are following in the guidelines and that's how we look at it. That's the job that we will try to do to protect us and protect others even when we are competing.

Stephens: Yeah, definitely same. I feel like I can protect myself the best I can. I'm definitely in control of that and I can protect others by following what the protocols are and the guidelines and just make sure that I'm following all the rules so I don't harm anyone else or myself. That's pretty much all we can do I think at this point. Nobody wants anybody to get sick or be in trouble or be in danger so I think just being responsible and making sure that you're actively doing what you can for yourself and to protect others is the most important thing.

Q: What have you learned over all of your time on the tennis circuit that has helped you during this time that is so different?

Clijsters: Throughout my career, you keep learning and a lot of times you only see a lot of the things when you're done or when you're out of the sport and you can relate some of the situations that you were in while you were traveling and dealing with coaches and other players or media in certain situations and they help you to deal with things when you're not playing anymore. I could probably talk for a half-hour about experiences like that but I think in the last few months, just being patient and learning. I think as an athlete, we're so used to setting goals - short-term goals, long-term goals - and obviously with the schedule changing often, which was normal over the past few months with everything going on, you've had to adjust and you've had to find motivation and you've had to find some things that could trigger you to go out there and to still work hard. I think that's something that when I've read the stories from other players, other athletes from different sports, that it was hard to find that internal motivation and not knowing when am I competing again, when am I going to be feeling that adrenaline coming from the crowd or from playing in big moments. So, I think it's just important to be more patient even. That has been the most important lesson for me, is to just kind of trust the process and in my situation too, the question I've gotten a lot in Belgium from media is that do you still want to go through with it and do you still want to keep playing now with everything that's going on? And yeah, it doesn't mean because COVID happened that I'm not interested in playing more tennis. There are some challenges and combining parenting at home and teaching the kids at home and still going to practice and things like that, so it was challenging but at the same time you get through that together and we've had great family moments. So you learn. You just try to see the positive things out of moments that you're in and that's another big lesson that you learn.

On Stephens' recent social media posts which included a quote about not returning back to normal (full Tweet here: https://twitter.com/SloaneStephens/status/1270208757876867074/photo/1)

Stephens: I think, obviously, we are in a weird time right now. I think that message is very impactful and I thought it was something that should be shared. I posted it so everyone could see it and everyone can learn and be educated. I think it was a powerful quote.

Silva: I take a lot of pride and feel such a great opportunity that I have with World TeamTennis. I mention it's been around for 45 years. It hasn't always been easy. Every player in tennis that we have all watched and admired from Chris Evert to Billie Jean (King) to (Jimmy) Connors to (Andre) Agassi to (Pete) Sampras to (Rod) Laver and, obviously, Kim and Sloane here, Venus and Serena (Williams). The list is unbelievable, of players who have come through the halls of World TeamTennis. Certainly playing in the 45th season is something that, as the CEO and a guy that has been here - this is my second season (as WTT CEO) - I think we are building World TeamTennis to be a great, top property. I'm not interested in running a mediocre property. I don't think Kim and Sloane would want to play for a mediocre property. We've got to continue to raise it. It is very important that we gave everything that we could to make 2020 happen. As I've said to others along the way, it only takes 30 seconds to cancel the season. We worked very hard every single day trying to figure out what is the right thing to do that would allow us to play, but also make sure that our players and our staff would also be safe. We are going to stick to those protocols. We are going to work very hard today and tomorrow and the next day - it doesn't end - to make that happen. For all of the players, I am really appreciative that they have thought this is a way for them to come back. There have been a couple of events that, I think, have gone well. I know Sloane was down in Charleston and it seemed to go well. The ladies seemed to have a great time and, most importantly they were safe and they got some tennis in. We have a full season. We have $1 million in prize money for the first time in the history of World TeamTennis, in the postseason, in addition to what everyone is going to make during their regular season. We have great broadcast partners. As long as we can keep doing every day what we have been doing so far and we can make it through here with players arriving and having the teams start, we will do everything we can to get through the season. I take that to heart and am happy to give everyone updates as we go. I am sure over the next 21 days we will have to make some adjustments that are smart and help us to get to someone hoisting the King Trophy on Aug. 2. So happy the 2020 season is going to happen.

Clijsters' reflections on her first WTT experience to the upcoming 2020 WTT season:

Clijsters: That was a very long time ago, 2010. I don't know if it was that year. It's hard for me to compare to my first experience at World TeamTennis besides the fact that I really enjoyed it. I watched World TeamTennis on TV. I talked to players about World TeamTennis before I played and how much they liked the competition, how different it is than what we are used to. To me, it was a whole new experience dealing with those details. Having been in that position before, I know now when I go there what it is going to be like and what I can expect for myself. I look forward to competing, having fun and, at the same time, playing matches. I think a lot of players are looking to play a lot of matches. It is really nice to feel that support on the sidelines that is so different from how it is when you are playing on the Tour. The whole World TeamTennis vibe is something that I really enjoy. It's hard for me to relate to how I felt in 2010. I remember that I was nervous because I played with John (McEnroe). I had to play mixed doubles with John McEnroe for the first time, so I was a little nervous. It's fun. I enjoy it. I enjoy the team atmosphere very much.

Silva: I think World TeamTennis, more than ever, is right for the times. It's fast. It's fast-paced. I find it a little bit funny that so many of these tournaments now are playing four-game pro sets or, even if they are playing the regular six-game sets, they are going to no-ad scoring, they are going to tiebreakers at 5-5 instead of 6-6. Or tiebreakers at 3-3, if it's a four-game pro set. So many of the things that World TeamTennis has had embedded in moving things quickly, making it exciting, making it fast-paced, having no-ad scoring and having that decision point is super exciting is I think permeating through tennis. Even shot clocks that you see now, everyone is talking about shot clocks being so innovative. We have had shot clocks forever in World TeamTennis. I'm just waiting for them to add music like we've had that creates such a great environment, and I think also makes it feel like an NBA game, which is very much where I want to continue to push the sort of entertainment and competition coming together that I think the NBA does better than any sport on the planet. They are going to see that and I think they are also going to see players working with each other, cheering each other on. You hear players on the Tour, that sometimes it is a little lonely out there.

Q: Talk about the safety precautions that are taking place in terms of the players, coaches and staff on-site at The Greenbrier:

Silva: We're going to require all players to wear masks on the bench. The only players that won't have a mask on will be on the court. There will obviously be no ball kids on the court. If your teammates would like to be ball kids, they can and they'll be wearing masks. It's kind of interesting and could be fun in a time when things aren't always that fun this year. It could be great having the Bryan Brothers being ball kids for Sam Querrey when he's playing. We're going to tell the players when you come to the net you can tap racquets and do the same thing when playing doubles. The only one that might be tough would be the Bryan Brothers, who celebrate a lot and do chest bumps. We're going to ask them not to do that. I can't guarantee they won't do it out of habit doing it for 25 years, but we are telling everyone not to do that. We're trying to be smart, practical in a simple way, and we'll be going through this with all of the players when they arrive as well.

We'll be allowed to have 500 fans in the stands, although the stadium holds 2,500 people. Every other row will be blocked, and everyone will be socially distanced by the ushers. You will be able to sit by your family, but you will not be able to sit next to other families that you don't know. Originally, because it is outdoors, we did not require fans to wear masks. We've since changed that requirement, well before everyone else did, about 10 days ago. We made a decision that we would make all fans also have to wear masks. That is a requirement to enter the stadium. Someone might have a drink, someone might eat a hotdog, again you have to do that without a mask, but then when you are done with that you would put your mask back on. If someone doesn't want to wear a mask, that's ok, they don't have to come into the stadium. If they want a refund on their ticket, we would be happy to give them a refund.

Stephens: It's good to have the schedule set for the three weeks, it will be a good three weeks of competition. I think you can only play if you're playing the full season, so we'll all be at The Greenbrier for the whole three weeks. I think it'll be great. It'll be nice to have some structure for everyone playing, and to be able to have that competition and be around your competitors again in that environment will be good.

Clijsters: I feel relieved in a way knowing all of the things and measurements that they've taken to bring tennis to West Virginia and make sure that everything is organized so well makes it really comfortable for the players and everybody involved. Being able to go down there with the schedule set for the next few weeks is nice and will give players the time to work hard on the things they want to work hard on and at the same time play a lot of matches with good competition. Also, it's a great chance to train with your team, play with the guys, play doubles, play mixed doubles, and more. I think it's an exciting few weeks coming up for all of us after having been home for a few months.

(END CALL)

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 prices vary depending on the day of the week.

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.

World TeamTennis Stories from July 8, 2020

• New Location for WTT Season, But Philadelphia Freedoms Goal Remains the Same - Philadelphia Freedoms
• WTT Conference Call Quotes - WTT

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