Five Randall's Island, Two Albany Dates Highlight NY Sportimes July 2012 World TeamTennis Schedule

March 8, 2012 - PRLog -- The New York Sportimes today announced their seven July home dates for the 2012 World TeamTennis season, including five at the Sportime Randall’s Island Tennis Center in Manhattan and two at SEFCU Arena at the University of Albany.   For the second straight year, Hall of Famer Martina Hingis is scheduled to compete in all seven Sportimes home matches.  Venus Williams and John Isner are scheduled to compete for visiting teams in the two Albany matches.

Sportimes team captain and New York tennis legend John McEnroe will compete in the matches at Randall’s Island on July 19th and July 25th.  An additional Marquee player is expected to be announced for the night of the 25th, which, for the second straight year, will be an evening to benefit the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, a charitable foundation that raises money to support youth tennis in the New York City area.

The Sportimes open the season on July 10 vs. Springfield, and also have home dates at Randall's Island vs. Philadelphia (July 13 and July 18), Boston (July 19) and defending WTT champion Washington (July 25).  The Albany opponents are Washington (July 23) and Boston (July 24).  Home matches at Sportime Randall's Island begin at 7 p.m., while first serve for the Albany events is at 7:30 p.m.

“This schedule is a challenging one, with two home matches against our big rival: the defending champion Washington Kastles.  The matchups should be great this year,” said Sportime Clubs and NY Sportimes CEO Claude Okin.  “Every night of WTT action offers intense tennis and fun for the whole family.  Our Captain and leader, Johnny Mac, will inspire us and we have all-time great Martina Hingis leading the charge at every home match.  Our goal is to return to the WTT Finals for the second time in three years.”

The Sportimes finished one win out of first place in the Eastern Conference last year after winning the Eastern Conference title in 2010.  They were WTT Champion in 2005.

The Sportimes also have seven road dates scheduled, including matches against Eastern Conference Rivals Washington (July 12), Philadelphia (July 20) and Boston (July 22) and two swings through the Western Conference (July 15 @ Kansas City, July 16 @ Sacramento; July 27 @ Springfield, July 28 @ Kansas City).

The full 2012 Sportimes roster will be named following the WTT Roster Player Draft on March 13.   Promotional events for each home date will also be announced.  Player appearances are subject to change.  The 2012 WTT regular season runs from July 9-28, with the top two teams from both the Western and Eastern Conference advancing to the WTT Finals Weekend presented by GEICO, September 14-16, at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, S.C.

2012 SPORTIMES Home Schedule
July 10   Springfield Lasers, 7 p.m., at Sportime/Randall's Island
   (Sportimes – Martina Hingis)
July 13   Philadelphia Freedoms, 7 p.m., at Sportime/Randall's Island
   (Sportimes – Hingis)
July 18   Philadelphia Freedoms, 7 p.m., at Sportime/Randall's Island
   (Sportimes – Hingis)
July 19   Boston Lobsters, 7 p.m., at Sportime/Randall's Island
   (Sportimes – Hingis, McEnroe)
July 23   Washington Kastles, 7:30 p.m., at Albany/SEFCU Arena
   (Sportimes – Hingis; Washington – Venus Williams)
July 24   Boston Lobsters, 7:30 p.m., at Albany/SEFCU Arena
   (Sportimes – Hingis; Boston – John Isner)
July 25   Washington Kastles, 7 p.m., at Sportime/Randall's Island
   (Sportimes – Hingis, McEnroe)

2012 Sportimes Away Schedule
July 12   @ Washington Kastles, 7:10 p.m.
July 15   @ Kansas City Explorers, 7:05 p.m. CDT
July 16   @ Sacramento Capitals, 7:35 p.m. PDT
July 20   @ Philadelphia Freedoms, 7 p.m.
July 22   @ Boston Lobsters, 7 p.m.
July 27   @ Springfield Lasers, 7:05 p.m.
July 28   @ Kansas City Explorers, 7:35 p.m. CDT

Tickets for Sportimes matches are available by calling 888-WTT-NYC1 or by visiting www.nysportimes.com.  For more information on matches in Albany, visit www.NYSportimes.com/Albany or call 518-393-0440.

2012 Sportimes’ partners include USTA Eastern Section, GEICO, USTA, Wilson, DecoTurf, Principal Funds, SPORTIME Clubs, Tennis.com, Arizon Tennis Domes, NY Orthopedics, and Randall's Island Sports Foundation.

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The World TeamTennis N.Y. Sportimes compete at the new Sportime tennis facility on Randall's Island in Manhattan, in July. Visit http://www.nysportimes.com for more info.