Venus Williams to Play in New York City as part of Visiting Washington Kastles Match on July 19
Empire Also Announce 2019 U.S. Davis Cup Team Captain Mardy Fish
to Play Final Two Home Matches – July 29 and 30
NEW YORK (May 22, 2019) – The New York Empire presented by Citi announced today that 23-time Grand Slam champion (including doubles) Venus Williams will visit the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning on Friday, July 19 when the Empire take on the visiting Washington Kastles. The match begins at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are on sale now.
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and one of tennis’ all-time great players, is returning for her eighth season with the Kastles, who are coached by Murphy Jensen, brother of first-year Empire head coach Luke. The Empire’s roster will feature Ulises Blanch, Kirsten Flipkens, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Neal Skupski throughout the season. Top-ranked American, John Isner, will open the Empire season on Sunday, July 14.
“I was already extremely excited to go head-to-head with my brother when the Kastles come to town, but it will be even more fun now that he is stacking his roster with a legend of the sport like Venus,” said Luke Jensen. “Tennis fans in New York are in for a real treat July 19th.”
The Empire also announced the addition of Mardy Fish to the franchise’s roster for the upcoming 44th season of World TeamTennis (WTT). Fish, the former top-ranked American on the ATP Tour, will take the court at Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning on Monday, July 29 and Tuesday, July 30. After every Empire home match, fans 16-and-under will be welcomed onto the court to meet players from both teams and get autographs.
Fish returns for his ninth WTT season and third with the Empire. The 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist won six ATP World Tour singles titles and was ranked as high as No. 7 during his career. This past January, Fish was named Captain of the United States Davis Cup team, replacing Jim Courier.
“I’ve always enjoyed being part of a team as a former U.S. Davis Cup team member and now serving as captain,” Fish said. “I love the World TeamTennis format and am looking forward to competing once again this summer for the Empire at Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning.”
Tennis fans looking to catch Williams also have the opportunity to soak in more world-class tennis this summer. Those purchasing box-seat tickets to the match featuring Williams on July 19 will receive a 20-percent discount for box-seat tickets to all other matches using the special code “JULY19”. The purchases for other matches must be made during the same transaction.
Season and individual match tickets can be purchased by visiting New York Empire Tennis Tickets or www.NYEmpireTennis.com. Match tickets start as low as $10 for children age 16-and-under and $25 for adults. The Empire offers both reserved box seats and general admission seating, along with hospitality packages, which include food and beverage service. A limited number of VIP tables are also available.
New York Empire – Home Match Schedule
Date Time Opponent Featured Player(s)
Sunday, July 14 5 p.m. San Diego Aviators John Isner & Ryan Harrison
Tuesday, July 16 6:30 p.m. Vegas Rollers Reilly Opelka
Thursday, July 18 6:30 p.m. Orange County (Calif.) Breakers TBD
Friday, July 19 6:30 p.m. Washington (D.C.) Kastles Venus Williams
Sunday, July 21 5 p.m. Orlando Storm Feliciano Lopez
Monday, July 29 7 p.m. Springfield (Mo.) Lasers Mardy Fish
Tuesday, July 30 6:30 p.m. Philadelphia Freedoms Mardy Fish
For more information on the New York Empire, visit www.NYEmpireTennis.com or call the team office at (844) 5-EMPIRE (844-536-7473). For more information on World TeamTennis, visit www.WTT.com.
