Grand Slam Tennis Champs Headed To Main Line For Philadelphia Freedoms Season
By Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Big-time tennis is on its way back to the Delaware Valley. Tickets for Philadelphia Freedoms matches go on sale on Monday and Grand Slam champions are in the lineup.
Philly's World Team Tennis roster includes Sloane Stephens. The No. 2-ranked American has a wicked backhand.
"She defeated Serena Williams in the Australian Open this year. She's going to be really great to watch," says Freedoms general manager Barbara Perry.
The team will face John McEnroe, perennial doubles champs Bob and Mike Bryan and the recently-retired Andy Roddick.
"We're extremely excited about that," says Perry. "It's been several years since Andy's played here in Philly. He's a real crowd favorite."
Roddick, who plays for the Springfield Lasers, will be at the Freedoms' first match at The Pavilion at Villanova University on July 10th.
Also on the Freedoms lineup: seven-time Grand Slam doubles champ Liezel Huber; the rising young American Jessica Pegula, who's coached by Maria Sharapova's former instructor; and Australian Jordan Kerr, who's ranked among the top 125 doubles players in the world. And watch out for Sam Groth.
"He's credited with striking the fastest recorded serve in tennis history -- over 163 miles an hour," explains Perry.
See the full schedule and purchase tickets at http://philadelphiafreedoms.com.
