On June 25th, Media and local individuals gathered today at Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx for the annual New York Empire media day. For the third year in a row, World TeamTennis Co-Founder and International Tennis Hall of Famer Billie Jean King was on hand to answer questions and preview the 2019 Empire season featuring top American players John Isner and Sloane Stephens. Joined this year by first-year Empire head coach Luke Jensen, the Empire announced the theme nights for their seven home matches to be held at Cary Leeds Center.
To kick off the 44th season of World TeamTennis (WTT), the league co-founded by International Tennis Hall of Famer Billie Jean King, fans will get to enjoy an action-packed night of live entertainment, delicious food and fun music as top-ranked American John Isner takes the court at 5 p.m. for WTT Opening Night, Sunday, July 14.
On Tuesday, July 16, Community Hero Night will celebrate the hard work of the Bronx’s public heroes including police officers, firefighters, active-duty military and veterans, and public-school teachers when the Empire host expansion team, Vegas Rollers.
2017 US Open champion, Sloane Stephens, will not be the only attraction when the Empire host the Orange County Breakers on Thursday, July 18. On Taste of The Bronx Night, fans will be able to soak in the world-class tennis on display while enjoying the local cuisine that makes up the culinary character of the Bronx, specifically those restaurants located on Arthur Avenue.
On Friday, July 19, the team will offer a midseason thank you to its fans featuring giveaways and other special surprises on Fan Appreciation Night, as Venus Williams and the Washington Kastles visit the Bronx. The match has been highlighted by Empire head coach Luke Jensen, as the Kastles are coached by his younger brother, Murphy. The first 500 fans will receive a special giveaway and all attendees will be treated to a fashion show hosted by Williams, showcasing her EleVen by Venus clothing line.
Sunday, July 21 will serve as Family Fun Night, a perfect opportunity to bring the whole family out to Cary Leeds Center to enjoy an afternoon featuring games, face painting, a mini-tennis court and more.
Mardy Fish, former American No. 1, takes the court on Monday, July 29 when the Springfield Lasers visit Cary Leeds Center as part of Bronx Night. The night will feature the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Bronx, as the Empire celebrate its first season in the borough.
The Empire will close out its home schedule on Tuesday, July 30 against the Philadelphia Freedoms with Empower Her Night. For the second year in a row, the Empire will honor women who inspire today’s youth, featuring Billie Jean King and the Women’s Sports Foundation. More than 100 kids will be on-site for a special tennis clinic and to hear from the tennis icon herself, prior to the first serve at 6:30 that evening.
Prior to the Empire’s season-opening match on Sunday, July 14 at the Cary Leeds Center, Empire players including Isner and head coach Jensen will play with and against fans as part of the New York Empire Pro-Am benefiting NYJTL. Fans who purchase a minimum of four tickets to the match featuring Isner will receive 50% off of tickets of an equal or lesser value for a second match later in the season, some restrictions will apply.
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.
After every Empire home match, fans 16-and-under will be welcomed onto the court to meet players from both teams and get autographs.
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 | Sloane Stephens
Friday, July 19, 6:30 p.m. | Washingon (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.
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