Adams Returns as Coach

Adams Returns to Serve as NY Sportimes Coach

MAMARONECK, NY – June 5, 2007:  The NY Sportimes announce Chuck Adams returns as their head coach for the 2007 World TeamTennis season as the team defends their Eastern Conference Championship. Adams, a resident of Pacific Palisades, California, said “I am particularly excited about returning to New York and coaching WTT for my sophomore year.  I have known John (McEnroe) for a long time and love working with him.”  He continued, “John will help us to win some matches and I look forward to helping the Sportimes’ to defend our title and getting us another championship.” 

Coach Adams played on the ATP tour for six years, turning pro in 1989 after ranking #1 in the world as a junior.  He achieved a career-high singles ranking of #33 in the world (1994), with notable wins over Ivan Lendl, Todd Martin, Carlos Moya and Michael Stich, when he ranked #2 in the world.  Coach Adam’s playing career was followed by almost ten years as a traveling coach for top men and women players including Marissa Irvin and Justin Gimelstob, both of whom made dramatic progress under Adams’ supervison.

“Chuck has had tremendous impact on our franchise; he knows the game and the players and he has a great personality.  Last year, Chuck really got our team on a big roll. The fans love him, as do the players,” commented Claude Okin, the Sportimes managing partner.  He continued, “The unique format of WTT permits coaching at all times during the match.  Chuck is an active coach and he can still play the game too. He won’t be shy about using the format when it comes to subbing, challenging calls; Chuck will be out there.”

Joining McEnroe on the 2007 Sportimes squad is the teams anchor, former teen sensation Ashley Harkleroad, currently #80 in the world.  Rounding out the squad are Mirko Pehar, Hana Sromova and Jesse Witten. 

Ticket prices vary and are on sale now through www.ticketweb.com or via the team box office at 914-574-8280. The complete home schedule follows:

2007 Home Match Schedule
Date	Opponent
Thurs., July 5	vs. Delaware (1pm)
Tues., July 10	vs. Kansas City Explorers & the Bryan Brothers
Wed., July 11	vs. Springfield Lasers
Sat., July 14	vs. NY Buzz
Tues., July 17	vs. Philadelphia Freedoms & Venus Williams
Thurs., July 19	NYS featuring John McEnroe vs. Boston Lobsters
Sat., July 21	vs. NY Buzz

All Matches at Sportime Stadium Begin at 7:30pm except where noted.

The regular season runs July 5-25. The top two teams in both the Eastern and Western Conferences will advance to the season- ending WTT Championship Weekend, set for July 27-29, in Roseville, California. For further information, visit our team website at www.nysportimes.com for complete match details, ticket availability and more! Full details are available at www.ticketweb.com or www.nysportimes.com.

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About WTT: Now in its 32^nd year of play, World TeamTennis is well known for introducing innovative elements to tennis. Instant replay, which debuted at WTT matches in 2005 as the WTT Coaches Challenge, marked the first time the technology had been used in a professional tennis match, will return to select WTT matches in 2007. Other WTT firsts include co-ed format, cumulative and no-ad scoring, on-court coaching, Supertiebreakers, multi-colored courts and player names on back of their shirts.

The unique gender-balanced team concept for WTT was created in the early 70s by League co-founders Billie Jean King and Larry King. The format used for a WTT Pro League match features teams comprised of two men, two women and a coach. Each match consists of five sets, with one set each of men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Advanta is the presenting sponsor of the WTT Pro League and the official business credit card of World TeamTennis. Official WTT Pro League sponsors also include Bälle de Mätch, Gatorade, Geico and Wilson Racquet Sports.  For more information on WTT including team rosters, visit www.WTT.com