Detroit Loves
September 12, 2012
World Team Tennis (1974) Born: 1973 – WTT founding franchise Moved: November 1974 (Indiana Loves) First Game: May 9, 1974 (W 28-19 vs. Toronto-Buffalo Royals)
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Tampa Bay Action
June 27, 2019
The Tampa Bay Action were a failed entry in Billie Jean King’s World Team Tennis promotion that lasted only one season during the summer of 1992. In fact, the entirety of the Action’s existence was seven home matches held at the 3,000-seat Tampa Bay Convention Center over the course of two-and-a-half weeks in July 1992. The highlights of the Action’s brief run were the appearances by aging superstars such as Martina Navratilova and Jimmy Connors who came to town on the rosters of opposing WTT clubs. The Action’s top player was Mikael Pernfors of Sweden, a 1986 French Open singles finalist.
New Jersey Stars
April 28, 2016
World TeamTennis (1987-1995) Born: 1987 Folded: 1995 First Game: July 11, 1987 (L 24-21 @ Miami Beach Breakers) Last Game: August 13, 1995 (W 28-20
Phoenix Racquets (1975-1978)
May 28, 2019
The Phoenix Racquets were a popular entry in the original World Team Tennis league of the 1970’s. The co-ed promotion lured top tour pros into hockey & basketball arenas for an ambitious 44-match spring/summer schedule. The Racquets signature attraction was American superstar Chris Evert, the world’s #1 ranked female player, who signed a two-year contract with the team in November 1975.
Boston Lobsters (1974-1978)
October 25, 2012
The Boston Lobsters brought World Team Tennis action to the Walter Brown Arena at Boston University for five summers between 1974 and 1978. (The Lobs also played occasional matches at the Hartford Civic Center). The co-ed league brought major international stars to Boston for competitions that fell somewhere in between the intensity of Grand Slam competition and the half-speed camaraderie of exhibition play. The Lobsters own big name was Martina Navratilova, who elevated the Lobsters to one of the league’s best clubs in 1977 and 1978. Future New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft also made his first foray in pro sports investing with his ownership of the Lobs from 1975 through 1978.