Professional Tennis Coming to Mamaroneck

by Rocky Cipriano for Sportimes

(May 23, 2003) Some of the biggest names in tennis are coming to Westchester this summer when World Team Tennis makes its debut at Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck. The New York metro franchise, the Sportimes, will be playing 7 home matches at a newly built temporary 2,000-seat stadium at Harbor Island.

The NY Sportimes will feature John McEnroe, an International Tennis Hall of Famer and winner of 7 Grand Slam singles and 10 Grand Slam doubles titles. John will be joined by his brother, Patrick McEnroe, current captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team and Grand Slam doubles champion. Patrick is Sportime’s partner in the ownership of the franchise. Completing the team’s roster is local “up and comer,” Bea Bielik, along with Julia Vakulenko and South African Davis Cup player, Ellis Ferreira.

“We are very pleased with the caliber of players on our team,” said NY Sportimes’ General Manager and former top 40 player in the world, Eric Fromm. “Combining the awesome talent and leadership of John and Patrick McEnroe with our eager younger players, I feel we have an excellent chance to win the 2003 WTT Championship.”

The home season begins on Thursday, July 10th when Boris Becker and the New York Buzz come to town to challenge John McEnroe and the NY Sportimes – a magical re-union match highlighting one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history. The World Team Tennis season runs from July 7th to July 27th with the top team from the Eastern & Western Conferences advancing to the WTT championship, to be played on August 23 as part of the 2003 US OPEN.

The NY Sportimes 2003 Season Schedule:

Thursday July 10 New York Buzz
Saturday July 12 Philadelphia Freedoms
Saturday July 19 Philadelphia Freedoms
Sunday July 20 Kansas City Explorers
Tuesday July 22 Delaware Smash
Friday July 25 Hartford FoxForce
Sunday July 27 Springfield Lasers

League Background

Billie Jean King is the owner and founder of World Team Tennis, now entering its 23rd season. This unique gender-equity team concept features nightly lineups consisting 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. The outcome of the matches is determined by cumulative game scoring and many matches end in exciting sudden-death overtimes.

For more information about NY Sportimes call 914-777-5050 or visit www.nysportimes.com