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Springfield’s professional tennis team, the Springfield Lasers, has announced its lineup for this year.In addition, the number one women's tennis doubles player will make an appearance in Springfield this summer.KSMU’s Ryan Farmer has more on the story.
When people think of professional tennis, most sports fans probably think of Roger Federer, or the Williams sisters. But what do those athletes do when they are not clad in all white, running around the greens at Wimbledon?World Team Tennis, or WTT, is a professional level tennis league, which consists of 10 teams across the US that compete for the league title, and the King Trophy.One of those teams calls Springfield home, and has done so for the past 14 seasons.Tom Adams, Springfield Lasers’ general manager, describes the overall format of the WTT matches.
"They are coed teams, consisting of two men, two women. And we have a format where we play five matches, or sets. And we play men and women’s singles, men and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles,” says Adams.
Adams says the WTT just finished the players draft for this coming season, and the Springfield Lasers acquired some new, top players.
"These players are some of the top players in the world. As a matter of fact we have the number one doubles player in the world, Liezel Huber, coming to play for us. Our top men’s player is number 33 in the world on the ATP Tour, and they are very competitive,” says Adams.
Adams also added that this type of sporting event can be enjoyed by the whole family.
“We play music in between points, it’s really exciting. It’s really family oriented. Kids love it, they can get autographs from the players, and kids get to be down on the courts with them. And it’s two and a half, three hours of really fun, family entertainment,” says Adams.
The World Team Tennis League was established by tennis legend Billy Jean King and her husband, and this year will mark its 34th season. The season opens on July 2nd.The following week, on July 10th, world famous tennis player Anna Kournikova will play in Springfield when the Lasers take on the St. Louis Aces on July 10th.The Springfield Lasers play their matches at the Cooper Tennis Complex, located at 2331 E. Pythian St.For more information about the upcoming season you can visit our website at ksmu.org
For KSMU News, I’m Ryan Farmer
