As the calendar rolls into June, it is time to shift our attention to the Mylan World Team Tennis season, where six teams consisting of the best professional men’s and women’s tennis players on the planet duel it out during the three-week season. Founded by Billie Jean King in the 1970s, World Team Tennis was established to fill her vision of men and women competing together as part of a team, everyone contributing equally. Every year each team competes for the King Trophy, named after King herself.
This season, two Southern California teams hope to serve up victories, the Orange County Breakers and San Diego Aviators. The teams open the season against one another at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in San Diego on July 16, 2017. The Breakers clash in their home opener the next day against the Springfield Lasers. The Breakers then travel east for a date with the Washington Kastles and New York Empire. They come home for three consecutive matches against New York, Springfield, and San Diego, followed by four matches away at San Diego, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The Breakers end the regular season on a three game home-stand with San Diego, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia.
The Breakers squad consists of Steve Johnson, Maria Sharapova, and Nicole Gibbs as the headliners. Both are entering their third season with WTT. They are joined by Teymuraz Gabashvili, Andreja Klepac, Michael Venus, and Yanina Wickmayer. Coach Rick Leach will be at the helm as he enters his sixteenth season with WTT.
Photo Courtesy of breakers tennis.com
After their opening match with the Breakers, the Aviators will continue their home-stand with the Springfield Lasers, after which they head on the road for the next two matches against Washington D.C. and Springfield. The Aviators return to San Diego for a July 22 match against Springfield, followed by New York. They then travel upstate to play Orange County. After that, they travel to Springfield to start a four-game stand on the road, with additional matches against New York, Philadelphia, and Orange County. They finish the season in San Diego against Philadelphia and Washington D.C.
The Aviators expect to compete for the King Trophy with a roster of Ryan Harrison, Darija Jurak, Raven Klassen, Rajeev Ram, Shelby Rogers, and Naomi Broady. Coach John Lloyd will lead the Aviators during the 2017 season.
Photo Courtesy of sandiegoaviators.com
The Breakers will play their matches at Palisades Tennis Club in Newport Beach, where they had previously played from 2003-2006. Palisades Tennis Club will offer an array of amenities to fans, such as phenomenal sightlines, chair back seating, many food options, and additional premium seating. The 2017 season will mark the seventeenth year in which the Breakers have been competing in WTT.
The Aviators will play their home matches at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California. The team is coming off of a stellar 2016 season, which culminated with winning the WTT Championship. The Aviators are the only professional sports team from San Diego that has won a championship. This accomplishment will be recognized as a “Significant Achievement,” by the San Diego Hall of Champions at the 71st Annual Salute to the Champions.
USTA Southern California Tennis Association will have a KidsZone for all Orange County Breakers and San Diego Aviators home matches.
Tickets to Orange County Breakers matches may be purchased at https://www.ticketsource.us/orangecountybreakers. Individual tickets to Breakers matches are priced at $35 per ticket. Tickets to San Diego Aviators matches may be purchased at https://secure.sandiegoaviators.com/#/event-list. Individual tickets range depending on seating. Additionally, both teams offer various season ticket plans for their fans.