There's exciting news on the tennis scene in Albany! We are moving our home site to the Washington Avenue Armory! The arena will be air conditioned and will have secure parking. This will help to accommodate the Buzz's growing fan base, give the team much more visibility and awareness, and help increase the level of hospitality the Buzz wish to provide. This move will enhance the experience that people have been accustomed to for the past 13 years and we promise that fans will still be able to watch amazing tennis in an intimate, fun setting.

This year we are celebrating our 14th season by showcasing special events including the return of Serena Williams after eight years. Our season will be July 3 through July 25. There will be seven home matches including TWO special marquee nights starring 8 Time Grand Slam Winner Serena Williams on July 9 and Anna Kournikova on July 9 who will each be playing on visiting teams.

Serena Williams embodies style, power, beauty and courage. Like numerous A-list celebrities, Serena is recognized by the mere mention of her first name. Only 26, Serena has overcome insurmountable odds to win 8 career Grand Slams, and become one the game's greatest all-time players. Her remarkable tennis skills have skyrocketed her to fame, but only her unique charm and drive could explain her successful endeavors outside of tennis in film, television, fashion and philanthropy. Serena has high hopes for the 2008. Her tennis ability combined with her off -court activity makes her one of the most recognizable names and faces in the world - an icon.

Anna Kournikova paired with Martina Hingis to win the 1999 and 2002 Australian Open doubles championships and the duo combined to win two WTA Championships doubles crown (1999, 2000). Once ranked as the world's No. 1 doubles player and as high as No. 8 in the world in singles, the native Russian posted wins over several top players, including Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Hingis and Lindsay Davenport. In 1997 she became the second woman in the Open era to reach the semifinals of Wimbledon in her debut on the famed grass courts, and she has been a mixed doubles finalist at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. This will be her second visit to the Capital Region.

The 2008 season will be the 33rd year of World TeamTennis action. WTT is well known for introducing innovative elements to tennis including instant replay, co-ed format, cumulative and no-ad scoring, on-court coaching, Supertiebreakers, multi-colored courts and player names on back of their shirts.

The unique gender-balanced team concept for WTT was created in the early 70s by League cofounders Billie Jean King and Larry King. The format used for a WTT Pro League match features teams comprised of two men, two women and a coach. Each match consists of five sets, with one set each of men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Eleven teams throughout the U.S. compete in the WTT Pro League presented by Advanta during July. Advanta is the presenting sponsor of the WTT Pro League and the official business credit card of World TeamTennis. Official WTT Pro League sponsors for the 2008 season are Bälle dê Mätch, FirmGreen Energy, Gatorade, GEICO and Wilson Racquet Sports.

The NY Buzz would like to thank Mayor Jennings and Jim Coyne for their invaluable support and cooperation in making this happen.

Tickets are on sale and all previous orders are being processed and will be mailed out in two weeks. Please call 518-378-BUZZ for ticket information.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in July.

The New York Buzz completed their 2008 player roster draft Tuesday morning in Miami. This year’s team will feature WTA stars Yaroslava Shvedova and Gabriela Navratilova and ATP players Nathan Healey and Vladimir Obradovic.

The 20-year-old Shvedova is one of the new stars on the WTA circuit. Last year, the Russian captured her first career WTA title in Bangalore defeating local favorite Sania Mirza en route. Shvedova also posted wins in 2007 over Ana Ivanovic at Miami to finish in the Top 100 for the first time at No. 84. Shevedova is currently ranked No. 91 after reaching a career-high No. 70 last August.

Gabriela Navratilova, 31, is a New York Buzz veteran. Last year in her first World Team Tennis season Navratilova teamed with Greta Arn to help the Buzz to the league finals. Gabriela, no relation to Martina Navratilova, has 55 career ITF doubles titles and last year reached the doubles final in Paris and Budapest. She is currently ranked No. 54 in doubles.

Nathan Healey is playing in his second Team Tennis season. The 28-year-old from Australia has enjoyed plenty of success on both the singles and doubles circuits. Healey reached the third round at the Australian Open singles in 2006, pushing Nikolay Dayvdenko to four sets before falling. In doubles, Healey’s won three career titles in 2001 Sopot, 2003 Beijing and 2005 Sydney. He’s also reached the finals at three other events including 2007 Newport. Healey has been as high as No. 159 in singles and No. 58 in doubles.

Vladimir Obradovic is a former Florida Gator standout. The 27-year-old Serb just reached the doubles semifinals at the Sunrise, FL Challenger and the singles semifinals at the Texas futures last month. In 2007, Obradovic won three Futures doubles titles in five finals, and in singles he won one title in three finals. While at Florida, the 6-foot-5 Obradovic played No. 1 singles and was named to the SEC academic honor roll in 2006.

Former Arkansas standout and current Fresno State coach, Jay Udwadia, will make his debut as head coach of the Buzz.

The season begins on July 3 as the Buzz visit Delaware. The Buzz open at home on July 6 when they host the Boston Lobsters. Serena Williams and her Washington Kastels will be in town on July 9 and Anna Kournikova returns on July 22. Tickets are still available for either night. For more information please call 518-378-BUZZ.

This summer the NY Buzz will welcome back to Schenectady one of the most popular female athletes of our time, Anna Kournikova, who will join her St. Aces for a visit against the Buzz on Tuesday, July 22. Kournikova last visted the Buzz in 2006 as a member of the Aces.

Named among People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People four times, Kournikova still graces the covers of magazines and remains in the public spotlight.

Before retiring due to a bad back in 2003, Kournikova reached a singles career high ranking of No. 8 in 2000, and she notched wins over Jennifer Capriati, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport, Martina Hingis and Steffi Graf. She also reached the semifinals in singles at Wimbledon in 1997 and the quarterfinals at the 2001 Australian Open, and she finished runner-up at four other WTA events.

Kournikova found her most success in doubles, attaining the No. 1 ranking behind 16 career doubles titles including victories at the 1999 and 2002 Australian Open (both with Martina Hingis).

To book tickets or for more information on Anna’s visit in July 22 please call 518-378-BUZZ.

The NY Buzz released their 2008 World Team Tennis schedule on Monday. The Buzz will play seven matches at home and seven on the road. The season begins for the Buzz on July 3 away at the Delaware Smash.

The Buzz will make their home debut on July 6 against the Boston Lobsters. Eight-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams will make her appearance as her Washington Kastles come to town on Wednesday, July 9.

WTA starlet Anna Kournikova also returns this summer to the Capital District when her St. Louis Aces battle the Buzz on Tuesday, July 22.

Full team lineups will be completed on April 1 when WTT holds their annual player draft in Miami.

Tickets for all home matches, including those featuring Serena Williams and Anna Kournikova, are available by calling 518-378-BUZZ. Get your seats now before it’s too late.