Philadelphia Freedoms

Philadelphia Freedoms
Founded	1974
League	World TeamTennis
Team history	Philadelphia Freedoms 1974, 2001–present
Stadium	Cabrini College (2001-2007) King of Prussia Mall (2008-2009) The Pavilion (2010-Present)
Based in	Villanova, Pennsylvania
Team colors	Navy Blue, White, Red
Owner(s)	Billie Jean King
Head coach	Josh Cohen
Championships	2001, 2006
Mascot	Spirit the Eagle

The Philadelphia Freedoms are a tennis team currently competing in World TeamTennis.

Overview

The team traces its origin to WTT's inaugural season of 1974. The original team starred tennis legend and social pioneer Billie Jean King, who had beaten Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" the previous year.

Other members of the team were: Fred Stolle (Australia), Brian Fairlie (New Zealand), Buster Mottram (U.K.), Julie Anthony (US), Tory Ann Fretz (US), Betsy Nagelsen (US) and Kathy Kuykendall (US).

Julie Anthony later married the owner of the team, Dick Butera, and they settled in Aspen, Colorado, where she practices as a sports psychologist. Nagelsen married the late Mark McCormack, the Founder and Chairman of International Management Group. McCormack who represented Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan amongst others, was often referred to as one of the most powerful men in sports. Mottram was a controversial figure who spoke publicly about his extreme right wing views and made unsuccessful attempts to become a Conservative candidate for the British Parliament. Stolle was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985. Fretz was inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in 1999.

Pop singer Elton John was a friend of Billie Jean King's, and was invited to participate in a promotional match during one of the team's games. In return, he was later inspired to write a song about King, also called "Philadelphia Freedom." In 1974, the Freedoms had the league's best regular-season record, but were upset by the Denver Racquets in the championship game. The following year, the Freedoms merged with the Boston Lobsters (also a 2006 member of WTT).

The current team joined WTT in 2001. Before the beginning of the 2008 season, the Philadelphia Freedoms announced they would be leaving their previous home at Cabrini College. Their home matches would be played at the tennis stadium outside the King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (located near Philadelphia) from 2008 to 2009. For 2010, the Freedoms announced they would move to The Pavilion on the campus of Villanova University.

2012 season

The Philadelphia Freedoms will compete in 14 matches throughout the 2012 World TeamTennis season. They will host seven home matches featuring marquee players including: James Blake, Ryan Harrison, John McEnroe, Mark Philippoussis, Bob and Mike Bryan, and Martina Hingis. This will be head coach Josh Cohen's first season leading the Freedoms. All seven home matches will be played at The Pavilion at Villanova University. Season tickets as well as individual match tickets are available for the 2012 season.

Current squad

• Josh Cohen, Head Coach
• Mark Philippoussis
• James Blake
• Luka Gregorc
• Jordan Kerr
• Karolína Plíšková
• Kristýna Plíšková

Former Freedoms players

• Andre Agassi, 2009
• Björn Borg, 2011
• Jimmy Connors, 2001
• Josh Eagle, 2004
• Martina Navratilova, 2003
• Daniel Nestor, 2007
• Frederic Niemeyer, 2007
• Melanie Oudin, 2011
• Patrick Rafter, 2004
• Lisa Raymond, 2007
• Andy Roddick, 2010
• Chanda Rubin, 2006
• Fred Stolle, 1974
• Rennae Stubbs, 2006
• Venus Williams, 2009

See also

• World TeamTennis

External links

• Official website