Major Bummer
Pro tennis summer league kicks off in Irving without Venus Williams
When the Texas Wild take on the Washington Kastles on July 10, there will be a big name missing from the lineup. Kastles player Venus Williams has an injured lower back and can't play in opening tennis match at the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas.
Williams led the Kastles to a World Championship in 2012 and hopes to be back in action for the U.S. Open in late August.
It's a big loss for the World TeamTennis league, which is making its Dallas debut. Four Seasons recently completed a 2,100-seat stadium to accommodate fans.
Four Seasons Resort tennis pro Brent Haygarth coaches the Texas Wild. The team's all-star roster includes Bob and Mike Bryan, winners of the 2013 Australian Open and more Grand Slams than any doubles team in tennis history.
"I am extremely pleased to be able to have the Bryan brothers play for the Texas Wild," general manager Jeff Launius said in a statement. "Also having world-class players such as Mark Philippoussis on visiting rosters will make it a very exciting inaugural year for our fans."
Philippoussis, a former World Top 10 player, and the Boston Lobsters take on the Texas Wild on July 13.
The Texas Wild will play in the Western Conference along with the Orange County Breakers (Irvine, California); Sacramento Capitals (Sacramento, California) and the Springfield Lasers (Springfield, Missouri).
The Eastern Conference includes the Washington Kastles (Washington, D.C.), Boston Lobsters (Boston), New York Sportimes (New York) and the Philadelphia Freedoms (Villanova, Pennsylvania).
Season and individual tickets for the seven home matches can be purchased online. All matches begin at 7:35 pm on the following dates:
July 10 vs. Washington Kastles
July 11 vs. Orange County Breakers
July 13 vs. Boston Lobsters
July 14 vs. Sacramento Capitals
July 19 vs. Washington Kastles
July 20 vs. Orange County Breakers
July 24 vs. Sacramento Capitals