Family Circle holds WTT launch party

  • James Beck
  • Posted: Sunday, June 12, 2011 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Sunday, March 18, 2012 4:36 p.m.
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World TeamTennis? What is it?

The other day when I switched to the Tennis Channel, there it was. World TeamTennis of 1978, the New York Apple Sports and the Los Angeles Strings, Billie Jean King and Ilie Nastase. Of course, the court was multi-colored.

More than 30 years later, WTT is still going strong as it heads for another summer of fun, capped by the World TeamTennis Finals Weekend on July 22-24 at Family Circle Tennis Center.

But how many people, even serious tennis players, know what WTT really is? Or its format?

I'm no expert, but by this time next week I should know a great deal more about World TeamTennis. That's thanks to next Saturday night's free WTT Lowcountry Launch Party at Family Circle Tennis Center. Teams from nine local clubs (Dunes West, Mount Pleasant Recreation, I'on, Family Circle Tennis Center, Daniel Island Club, Country Club of Charleston, City of Charleston, Pine Forest Country Club and Legend Oaks) will represent the nine WTT franchises from 6-10 p.m. on the Althea Gibson Club Court's multi-colored plywood surface in a similation of the league. Each club team will be coached by a local celebrity.

Family Circle is putting on a big push to promote the party and attract at least 1,000 spectators to become familiar with the WTT format before Billie Jean King's main event arrives in late July. Tickets to the WTT Finals are available at ticketmaster.com (800-745-3000).

Farmfield WTT party

As the area becomes excited about the WTT Finals, local clubs are falling into place in their own promotions -- or parties. Charleston Tennis Center has announced plans for a World TeamTennis Wine & Watch Party on Wednesday, July 13 from 7-10 p.m.

The highlight of the evening will be the viewing of a Tennis Channel-televised WTT match. Family Circle Tennis Center will provide complimentary red and white wine, light snacks and WTT giveaway items at the Farmfield event. A concierge will be available to assist with the WTT Finals tickets and event information.

Reward or punishment?

League tennis postseason tournament organizers have a tough task in overcoming all of the conflicts. But sometimes you wonder if league organizers make a special effort to avoid making it more difficult or conflicting for the participants who advance to the league tennis local and state playoffs. Reward the participants or punish them?

Take this year's local mixed doubles playoffs for instance. The 6.0 and 7.0 local playoffs are currently scheduled for the same weekend as the WTT Finals at Family Circle Tennis Center. And this is what happens in America's Best Tennis Town?

This is nothing new for Charleston or any city. Last year's state mixed doubles tournament was held here during the championship weekend of the U.S. Open.

I know tennis players can only try to immitate Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, yet every serious tennis player in the country probably wants to watch the late rounds of America's premier tennis event. Recordings are great, but if you already know the score, it's history.

Last year wasn't a one-shot deal. This year's state mixed doubles tournament will be held in Florence on Sept. 10-12, again the last weekend of the U.S. Open. If you're not traveling or playing, you're wiped out from the midday heat.

With that in mind, why do league tennis local, state and sectional playoff matches have to be played from noon to 3 p.m. in the summer? And don't forget junior tennis tournaments such as Belton.

Tennis has been very fortunate in avoiding a rash of heat-related incidents, perhaps because of the usually superbly conditioned athletes competing.

Locals win state

Local women's 4.5 and 5.0 adult league tennis teams captured state titles recently in Aiken. The 4.5 team out of LTP Tennis, captained by Amy Templeton, defeated Greenville in the state final.

The Amy White-captained 5.0 women representing the entire Charleston area didn't play in a local league, but went directly to the state tournament, where they won round-robin competition against Hilton Head Island and Lexington to earn their berth in the Southern Sectional Championships.

Ann Harrah played on both championship teams. The 5.0 team included former world's No. 1 women's 50 player Diane Fishburne as well as former College of Charleston All-American/current Ashley Hall girls coach Mary Gastley.

Also, a 4.0 senior women's team from the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department won a state championship at Hilton Head Island. The team was captained by Jane Fluet and included former Wando girls coach Becky Williamson.

Local notes

--Former Players Club owner and current sporting goods shop operator Chuck Lee is starting a local tennis ladder to allow local tennis players to meet and play matches with other similarly skilled players at mutually convenient times and locations. The ladder, which will begin registration on Wednesday and start play on June 27, will include men's, women's, seniors and youth singles divisions. For information, contact Chuck Lee at Tour Tennis (388-5618).

--The City of Charleston's popular Tri-county Elementary and Middle School Tennis League wrapped up another successful season recently with its annual championships. A Porter-Gaud team coached by Alisa Tolliver won the tournament No. 1 title, while the other winners were: (tournament No. 2) Mason Prep 1; (No. 3) Ashley Hall Purple; (No. 4) C.E. Williams Middle; (No. 5) Charleston Day School team 1; (No. 6) Daniel Island White; (No. 7) Sullivan's Island Blue; (No. 8) Pinewood Prep; and (No. 9) Belle Hall Elementary team 3.

Reach James Beck at jamesbecktennis@gmail.com. See his columns on pro tennis at ubitennis.com/english.