Story Published:
Jul 1, 2009 at 10:05 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 2, 2009 at 12:09 AM CDT
SPRINGFIELD -- The area's oldest professioinal sports franchise, the Springfield Lasers, open their 14th season on Thursday night at 7 at the Cooper Tennis Complex against the Philadelphia Freedoms. On Wednesday night at the Doubletree Hotel, the franchise held a reception for friends, family and supporters who know a lot about the Lasers' rich legacy.
're really lucky that we've been able to get many of the top players," said Laser General Manager Tom Adams.
The Lasers made their debut in 1996 with legendary Martina Navratilova showing off her talent and giving her thumbs-up to the WTT's newest franchise.
"The facilities are beautiful," Navratilova said at the time. "The court is as beautiful a setting as you can get....without mountains."
Over the next 13 years,the Lasers introduced a lot of colorful players and fans, plus some world-class stars. John McEnroe and his infamous temper came to the Cooper Tennis Complex, as did Jimmy Connors, Andy Roddick, Zina Garrison, Lindsey Davenport, Monica Seles, Maria Sharapova, and the Lasers' own Anastasia Myskina, winner of the 2004 French Open.
One of the Lasers this season is Vania King, who played at Wimbledon on Wednesday as a member of a women's doubles team that lost to Venus and Serena Williams in the quarterfinals.
"She was trying to get in a little extra practice," Adams joked.
On July 10, another big name comes to town when Anna Kournikova visits as a member of the St. Louis Aces.
"We still have tickets available for the Kournikova match," Adams said. "She has a great personality."
That might not be what the tennis player-turned-supermodel is best known for.
