NEW YORK, NY, April 15, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Appearances by Marquee Players Caroline Wozniacki on August 1 and Andy Roddick on August 9 and a full slate of matches for top roster draftee Christina McHale are among the highlights of the inaugural 2016 New York Empire presented by Citi schedule this summer at historic Forest Hills Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club. The new Mylan World TeamTennis squad will face the five-time defending champion Washington Kastles in its opener on Sunday, July 31, at 6 p.m. to begin a six-match home schedule over two weeks.
Wozniacki, the former World No. 1, two-time US Open finalist and Marquee Player for the Philadelphia Freedoms, will take on the Empire on Monday, August 1. Home matchups with Springfield on Wednesday, August 3; Washington on Tuesday, August 9 (featuring Roddick); Orange County on Thursday, August 11; and San Diego on Friday, August 12 comprise the remainder of the Empire regular season. The final five home dates are 7 p.m. starts.
"This schedule packs a lot of action into two weeks," said Empire Coach Patrick McEnroe. "Fans can see rising star Christina McHale in all of our home matches, and we are excited that Caroline Wozniacki and our own Andy Roddick will compete at The West Side Tennis Club. Taking on longtime champion Washington will be a great way to start as well."
Opening night, July 31, will also be "USTA Eastern Night." Other special events and themes for each home date will be announced. Tickets for all home matches will go on sale at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 20 online at http://www.nyempiretennis.com.
In addition to McHale and Roddick, the Empire roster features World No. 47 Guido Pella of Argentina, and doubles specialists María Irigoyen also of Argentina and Oliver Marach of Austria, both ranked in the Top 60 in doubles.
The six away dates for the Empire include: Tuesday, August 2 at Washington; Friday, August 5 at San Diego; Saturday, August 6 at Orange County; Monday, August 8 at Washington; Wednesday, August 10 at Philadelphia; and Saturday, August 13 at Springfield. The top two teams from the regular season advance to the Mylan WTT Finals presented by Citi at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 26, at Forest Hills Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club. For more information on Mylan WTT and the full league schedule, visit http://www.WTT.com.
Tickets for all home matches will go on sale at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 20 online at http://www.nyempiretennis.com. VIP ticket packages are on sale now! Packages include Courtside Tables, Front Row Baseline Boxes and Premium Baseline Individual Season Tickets. All packages include access to full food and beverage service, hospitality opportunities with our players and coach, and much more. For full pricing details, general info, or to place an order, email Brian Healey at [email protected] or call (844) 5-EMPIRE (844-536-7473).
Fans can follow the team at http://www.NYEmpireTennis.com and on Twitter (@nyempiretennis) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/NYEmpireTennis).
About Mylan World TeamTennis
The New York Empire is one of six Mylan World TeamTennis teams that will compete in the innovative professional team tennis league for the King Trophy, the championship trophy named after co-founder Billie Jean King. For more information on Mylan WTT, visit http://www.WTT.com.
Contact: Joe Favorito/NY Empire (201) 746-0005 [email protected]; Jerry Milani/NY Empire (973) 566-0870 [email protected]
NY Empire presented by Citi 2016 Schedule (all times local)
Sunday, July 31, vs. WASHINGTON, 6 p.m.
Monday, August 1, vs. PHILADELPHIA, 7 p.m. (Marquee Player: Caroline Wozniacki, Philadelphia)
Tuesday, August 2, @ Washington, 7 p.m. (Marquee Player: Martina Hingis, Washington)
Wednesday, August 3, vs SPRINGFIELD, 7 p.m.
Friday, August 5, @ San Diego, 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 6, @ Orange County, 7 p.m.
Monday, August 8, @ Washington, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, August 9, vs. WASHINGTON, 7 p.m. (Marquee Player: Andy Roddick)
Wednesday, August 10, @ Philadelphia, 7 p.m. (Marquee Player: Andy Roddick)
Thursday, August 11, vs. ORANGE COUNTY, 7 p.m.
Friday, August 12, vs. SAN DIEGO, 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 13, @ Springfield, 7 p.m.
About the New York Empire
The New York Empire presented by Citi will play their first season at Forest Hills Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club. The restored facility will be configured to seat 2,500 for six home matches from July 31 through August 13. Patrick McEnroe will serve as the coach of the Empire, former US Open champion Andy Roddick will be a marquee player on the team, and New Jersey native and one of the top American women, Christina McHale headlines the roster. The stadium hosted the US Open Tennis Championships a total of 60 times, first from 1915 to 1920, and then again from 1924 to 1977. In addition, the finals of the Davis Cup were held at the club 10 times, more than any other venue. Currently, the stadium is also used as a music venue for concerts. Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, and Mumford & Sons headline the 2016 Forest Hills Stadium summer concert series.
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