Williams Sisters Head to WTT After Wimbledon

Published July 3, 2009
By Staff
 
No one can predict who will win the battle between Venus Williams and her sister Serena Williams for the Ladies’ singles title at the Wimbledon Championships on Saturday.  But the one sure thing is the next stop for the 2009 Champion after they leave the grasscourts of London will be the multi-colored courts of the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League.

Both Venus and Serena are scheduled to play World TeamTennis matches next week.  Venus Williams, who plays for the Philadelphia Freedoms, is first up with a road match in Washington, D.C., on July 7.  She plays in Philadelphia at Freedoms Stadium at the King of Prussia Mall on July 8 and travels to Albany, N.Y.,  on July 9 to take on the New York Buzz, a team made up of top America junior talent.

Serena is playing three consecutive road matches – July 9 in Boston, July 10 at the New York Sportimes in New York City, and July 13 in Philadelphia – before returning to Washington, D.C., on July 14 for her only home match with the Kastles.

KOURNIKOVA SIDELINED BY WRIST INJURY

Tennis star will visit four WTT markets for kids’ clinics, meet and greets

A wrist injury will keep Anna Kournikova off the World TeamTennis court this summer.  Kournikova, who was scheduled to start play for the St. Louis Aces on July 6 in Philadelphia, has been diagnosed with severe tenosynovitis in her left wrist.

Kournikova injured her wrist while practicing for her 7th season of World TeamTennis and has been undergoing daily neuromuscular and physical therapy.  The injury has not responded to therapy or a series of cortisone shots from earlier this week, so she was advised by her doctor, Miami Heat team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick, to continue rehab and not play her matches next week in order to avoid permanent long term damage.

Kournikova will still be travelling with her team and supporting them for their matches in Philadelphia (July 6), Washington, D.C. (July 8), Springfield, Mo. (July 10) and St. Louis (July 11). She will fulfill her obligations by participating in kids’ clinics, signing autographs and meeting with fans, media and sponsors.

"I was really looking forward to playing WTT for the 7th year in a row,” said Kournikova.  “So I am extremely disappointed that I won't be able to compete this year. As an athlete it’s always hard to deal with an injury, but I am still very excited to travel with my team and to fulfill my commitments surrounding the matches. I will continue to work on my rehabilitation and I am looking forward to next year’s WTT season."

WTT COMMISSIONER HOLDS COURT

World TeamTennis CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss has advanced to Sunday’s final of the Wimbledon Ladies' Invitation Doubles.  Kloss and partner Rosalyn Nideffer are undefeated through three matches.  They will face Martina Navratilova and Helena Sukova on Sunday.  Kloss, a former world No. 1 in doubles, won the Wimbledon over-35 doubles championships in 2001 and 2003.