Hi Everyone!

I just returned from my 8th season of World Team Tennis and my 3rd year playing for the St. Louis Aces. It was great to be back after not being able to play last year due to injury. This year my team included Lindsay Davenport, Liga Dekmeijere, Andrei Pavel, Nicole Melichar and Tripp Phillips. Lindsay and I got the chance to play doubles together which was a lot of fun. We actually played some doubles on the tour, so it was just like old times!

I started my road trip this year at home in St. Louis. I always love going there because the team and fans always make you feel so at home! While I was in St. Louis I was invited to throw out the first pitch at the Cardinals/Dodgers game, which was so much fun! And to top everything off our team won that night!

This year I played four matches: St. Louis, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC. The best part of the activities in each of these cities are for sure the kids tennis clinics. I love being out on the court with kids who are just starting out and are so excited to hit the ball and run around on the court. The USTA quick start programs make it so much more fun for the kids to play because they can actually keep a rally going with the foam balls and shorter courts. I can’t even tell you how HOT it was during the clinics, but the kids didn’t seem to care at all. They kept running around and asking for more tennis! I did a special clinic in Wilmington, Delaware this year and there were tons of kids in attendance. There were kids who played locally and also a group of kids from the local BGCA. There were probably 12 courts filled with every age and ability of kids from 6-17 years old. It was a blast! I also did a clinic in DC with kids from the local DC BGCA, and thankfully the Philly kids clinic was indoors so the kids were able to enjoy hitting the ball in the air conditioned building!

This year’s trip was very busy, moving from city to city every day, similar to the other years I have played. I got to take the train again this year, and I loved it! We travelled from Wilmington, Delaware to Washington DC and it was about an hour and a half trip. It’s so cool to see the country from a train window, speeding by you at 70 mph. You get kind of lost in your own world being on a train, and I really was able to relax for a bit and just enjoy the ride!

I always love going on the road for WTT because I get a chance to interact with so many of the fans and players participating in all of the activities, and the energy of the fans is amazing! I had a great time this year, and I can’t wait for next season!