11th and H Streets NW Becomes Home to Washington KastlesJuly 9, 2008 - Tennis fans around the DC metro area (and beyond) came out to see their favorite tennis player, Serena Williams, last evening as she headlined the Washington Kastles' opening day game against the Boston Lobsters.
The Washington Kastles are DC's first tennis team, and co-founded by Billy Jean King's World Team Tennis (WTT).
King, when asked why she wanted to start World Team Tennis, said,
"As a child I knew something was missing in tennis. There were no people of color; we played with white tennis balls, and wore white. It needed more color. One way to improve the game was to make it more fan-friendly, and that led us to the creation of World Team Tennis, which is built on a co-ed format."The Kastles roster include Mashona Washington, Sacha Jones, Justin Gimelstob (minus his harsh words), and Scott Oudsema, and coached by Thomas Blake (older brother of James Blake).
Despite the Kastles (now 2-1) losing the opening DC game, 19-22, the real winners on the evening were the kids from the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center who benefited during the on-court bidding of a Venus and Serena replica statue.
The statue sold for $8,000.
The Kastles, with two road games ahead of them, are back home at 11th at H on Friday, July 11 against The New York Buzz.
For complete WTT schedule of upcoming games, players, and ticket info click here.
Check out other WTT teams and see opening game photos.
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While Serena was busy headlining the festivites in the Nation's Captial, big sister Venus, also a WTT player, saw action with the Philadelphia Freedom.
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