For Immediate Release
Contact: Jeff Launius,
jeff@kcexplorers.com PH: 816-513-5630
Cell: 816-728-3733
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 27, 2007) - The Kansas City Explorers finalized their 2007 lineup at today's World TeamTennis Roster Player Draft in Miami. The Explorers picked up Jarmila Gajdosova of Slovakia with their first round pick.Kansas City also protected their rights to former Wimbledon doubles champion Corina Morariu and WTT veteran David Macpherson with their second and third round picks. The Explorers drafted Dusan Vemic of Serbia with their final selection. Those players will join world No. 1 doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan to complete the 2007 Explorers lineup.
Gajdosova is currently ranked No. 90 in singles and No. 55 in doubles on the WTA Tour. She joined the pro tour in 2005 and within one year had moved into top 70 in singles and was ranked in the top 60 in doubles. She has won seven ITF (International Tennis Federation) singles titles and three ITF doubles titles.
Explorers General Manager Jeff Launius was thrilled with his first pick. "In our opinion, Jarmila was the best girl in the draft," he said. "She's a real up-and-comer on the WTA tour with a big game. She's strong in both singles and doubles so she and Corina should be a formidable pair."
Launius added that Morariu and Macpherson provide great leadership for the team. "Corina's experience is irreplaceable and David is really the glue of the Explorers," he said.
The biggest surprise of the afternoon was the availability of Vemic in the final round. "When we saw he was available, we jumped to pick him up," said Launius, adding that Vemic is a "great all-around player with a huge serve."
"Team chemistry is vital to the success of any team and we feel that we have a great team with great team chemistry," said Launius. "It's not often that you get the players you want in a draft and we couldn't be more excited about this team!"
The Explorers will be looking to improve on last year's 6-8 in a tightly contented Western Conference. "After today's draft, I don't think the teams in the Western Conference could be more evenly matched," said Launius. Every match should be close so Barney Allis Plaza will be rocking with some great tennis this July."
The Explorers open their 2007 with a home match on Friday, July 6, against the Houston Wranglers. All home matches are scheduled to begin at 7:35 p.m. CST, except for the Sunday matches which will start at 6:05 p.m. CST. The Bryan brothers return to Kansas City on July 14 when the Kansas City Explorers host the Houston Wranglers in World TeamTennis action. The schedule includes seven home matches at Barney Allis Plaza in downtown Kansas City.
Kansas City will also play on the road seven times during the season, which runs July 5-25. The top two teams from both the Eastern and Western Conference advance to the WTT Championship Weekend, July 27-29, in Roseville, Calif., to compete for the WTT Championship. The Explorers are in the Western Conference along with the Springfield Lasers, St. Louis Aces, Houston Wranglers, Sacramento Capitals and Newport Beach Breakers.
Season tickets are on sale now through the Explorers office at 816-513-5630 or online at www.KCExplorers.com
2007 KANSAS CITY EXPLORERS ROSTER:
Mike Bryan, Bob Bryan, Jarmila Gajdosova, Corina Morariu, David Macpherson, Dusan Vemic. Coach: Brent Haygarth
2007 Schedule - Kansas City Explorers
Home matches in BOLD
Fri., July 6 Houston Wranglers 7:35 pm CST Start
Sun., July 8 Newport Beach Breakers 6:05 pm CST Start
Tues., July 10 @ New York Sportimes (Bryan Bro.)
Wed., July 11 @ Delaware Smash (Bryan Bro.)
Fri., July 13 @ St. Louis Aces (Bryan Bro.)
Sat., July 14 Wranglers (Bryan Brothers) 7:35 pm CST Start
Sun., July 15 @ Springfield Lasers
Mon., July 16 @ Newport Beach Breakers
Wed., July 18 @ Sacramento Capitals
Thur., July 19 Springfield Lasers 7:35 pm CST Start
Sat., July 21 St. Louis Aces 7:35pm CST Start
Sun., July 22 Boston Lobsters 6:05 pm CST Start
Tues., July 24 @ Houston Wranglers
Wed., July 25 Sacramento Capitals 7:35 pm CST Start
(Start time subject to change)
League Background
Now in its 32nd 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 and 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 the co-ed format, cumulative and no-ad scoring, on-court coaching, Supertiebreakers, multi-colored courts and player names on the 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, FirmGreen, Gatorade, Geico and Wilson Racquet Sports. For more information on WTT, visit www.WTT.com.