Another optimistic news coming in from the states, World Team Tennis (WTT) is on its way to provide tennis enthusiasts with another three-week-long tournament to look forward to. After the UTR Pro Match Series played in May and the announcement of the NZ professional tournament, this is the third exhibition tournament that is scheduled.
The news was announced on Twitter by World Team Tennis
“All of us at World TeamTennis are extremely grateful to be able to play the 45th World TeamTennis season and present professional tennis to our sports-starved and tennis-starved audiences through our media partners at CBS Sports, ESPN and Tennis Channel.”
The WTT CEO Carlos Silva in a statement on the WTT website said,
“The overwhelming feedback from our players is that they want to play WTT and are comfortable in doing so in a safe environment, which is our number one priority. West Virginia has among the nation’s fewest cases of COVID-19 and I’m grateful to The Greenbrier, the city of White Sulphur Springs, and Dr. Jill Justice for being so welcoming and allowing World TeamTennis to play on in 2020.”
The WTA, ATP and ITF have not made a return, however, WTT is a separate organization and thus is able to commence the tournament. The tournament will have the 45th season in 2020.
What is World Team Tennis (WTT)?
The World Team Tennis (WTT) co-founded by Billie Jean King is one of the handful tournaments to have completed 40 seasons. The competition combines men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles category.
The 2020 season features teams representing nine American cities: Chicago Smash, New York Empire, Orange County Breakers, Orlando Storm, Philadelphia Freedoms, San Diego Aviators, Springfield Lasers, Vegas Rollers and Washington Kastles.
The prize money will increase to a record $5 million this year, as per WTT, plus an added $1 million for playoffs compensation. The team that wins the King Trophy will get a $500,000 bonus.
Finally, players will have live audience
The WTT has declared that the tournaments will be open for up to 500 spectators in the stand. As the coronavirus cases in the region have been low, the three-week season, from July 12 to August 2, will be played outdoors at The Greenbrier, a resort nestled in the Allegheny Mountains in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
The matches will be broadcasted on a combination of CBS, CBS Sports Network, Tennis Channel and ESPN+.
WTT to witness famous players
Post the announcement of the tournament there were speculations about the participation of the GOATs in the WTT. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait to see the Big 3 or Serena Williams back on the court.
Women’s world no. 4, Sofia Kenin who won the 2020 Australian Open, is slated to compete for the Philadelphia Freedoms and will be playing with other high ranked players such as Sloane Stephens ( World No. 37), who will play for the Chicago Smash.
Among the men, Tennys Snadsberg (no.55) , who made headlines after his encounter with Roger Federer earlier this year will be seen in action, rooting for Orlando Storm. Also, 32-year-old Sam Querrey (no.45), will be an important player for Vegas Rollers.
The american duo, Mike and Bob Bryan will provide some amazing doubles action to the viewers. The most successful doubles players of all time, Bryan brothers are a renowned name in the doubles category
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