By Ashley Marshall, USTA.com
Former US Open champion Andy Roddick will headline the newly created New York Empire franchise in its inaugural season in the Mylan World TeamTennis competition this summer.
The Empire, which will be coached by New Yorker Patrick McEnroe, will play six home fixtures at the Forest Hill Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club in Queens, the primary home of the US Open from 1921 to 1977. New York last hosted a WTT team in 2013, prior to the move of the New York Sportimes to San Diego.
“As both a player and an owner, I have always enjoyed all that encompasses Mylan WTT,” said former world No. 1 Roddick. “To be able to play on the legendary courts at Forest Hills and be involved with a team in a city that I love, New York, will make this even more special.”
Roddick, who won the US Open in 2003 and reached the final of Wimbledon on three occasions, has played eight seasons of World TeamTennis, most recently with the Springfield Lasers in 2014 and with his hometown Austin Aces in 2015. The big-serving 33-year-old retired from professional action following the 2012 US Open, but briefly came out of retirement last year to partner longtime friend Mardy Fish at the BB&T Atlanta Open.
Each of WTT's six teams will play 12 regular season matches in 14 days this summer, from July 31 to Aug. 13. The finals will take place on Saturday, Aug. 27, in the New York City area. Event coverage will include 45 hours of live match coverage on ESPN3 as well as regional, national and international highlight shows.
In addition to the New York team, franchises for the 2016 season include the five-time defending champion Washington Kastles, the Philadelphia Freedoms, the Springfield Lasers, the San Diego Aviators and the Orange County Breakers. The teams will build their rosters at the Mylan WTT Player Draft on Friday, March 25, in Miami, during the Miami Open.
For more information on Mylan World TeamTennis, click here. For information on the New York Empire, click here.