Special Feature
World TeamTennis at 40: Supporting Junior and College Players
by Marcia Frost, 8 September 2015
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It's been 40 years since Billie Jean and Larry King launched an unusual team tennis concept that would bring together men and women in a fun, yet competitive, atmosphere. Since that time World TeamTennis (WTT) has included such legends as John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Andre Agassi, Chris Evert, Pete Sampras, Tracy Austin, Jimmy Connors, and the most influential of them all, owner Billie Jean King.
Billie Jean King addresses the crowd in Springfield
© Marcia Frost
WTT, which has been sponsored by Mylan since 2012, has been an especially popular launching pad for top juniors and players just out of college who are looking to make their way into the pros.
King, who has remained extremely active in the day to day operations of Mylan World TeamTennis, is a big believer in bringing these players in. She cited 19-year-old Taylor Townsend, who in 2012 became the first American to finish a year as the top junior girl in the ITF junior rankings. Townsend, now professional, played for the Philadelphia Freedoms team this summer.
"We're huge for development. We go out in the morning. Josh [Cohen - coach of Philadelphia Freedoms] gives her two hours every morning. We go back out and practice in the afternoon to get warmed up for the match. You can actually help their games develop - which I think is great."
"Look at the mentoring she's getting," continued King. "She's got the third-best doubles player in the world, [Marcello] Melo, a great guy. You've got Robby Ginepri, who was number 15 in the world at one time. You've got Josh Cohen, who went to the University of Miami and won the most matches ever there. He played on the tour. You've got me, helping them in the morning."
Another Taylor who recently turned professional also benefitted from his time on the San Diego Aviators WTT team: No. 2 senior Taylor Fritz.
John Isner, the highest-ranked American men's tennis player in the in the world who also plays for the Springfield Lasers, lost to Fritz when the Lasers took on the Aviators. Isner acknowledged the training and support that teenagers receive during a full season of Mylan WTT can be invaluable.
