2017 Philadelphia Freedoms season
The 2017 Philadelphia Freedoms season was the 17th season of the franchise (in its current incarnation) in World TeamTennis (WTT).
| 2017 Philadelphia Freedoms season | |
|---|---|
| Record | |
| 2017 record | 6 wins, 8 losses |
| Team info | |
| Owner(s) | Billie Jean King |
| General manager | Barbara Perry |
| Coach | Craig Kardon |
| Stadium | Michael J. Hagan Arena (capacity: 3,500) |
Season recap
New home venue
On January 24, 2017, the Freedoms announced they would play their 2017 home matches at the Michael J. Hagan Arena on the campus of St. Joseph's University in West Philadelphia. It will be the first WTT action in the city of Philadelphia, since the original Freedoms called the Spectrum their home in 1974. Team owner Billie Jean King said, "I came to see the arena here a few months ago, and I walked in, and I go, this is perfect for us, perfect size, it’s really beautiful, and it’s easy for public transportation."[1][2]
Drafts
At the WTT Marquee Player Draft on February 16, 2017, the Freedoms selected Sloane Stephens and chose Andy Roddick, whom had been left unprotected by the New York Empire, in the second round.[3]
Season
Led by 2017 US Open (tennis) champion Sloane Stephens, 2017 International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Andy Roddick and returning fan favorite Donald Young (tennis), the Freedoms played competitively, going into the final weekend of the season in playoff contention. Led by returning championship-winning coach Craig Kardon, the 2017 squad also featured familiar faces like Taylor Townsend (tennis), in her third season with the Freedoms, and 2016 World TeamTennis Male Rookie of the Year Fabrice Martin, returning to dominate in men’s and mixed doubles for the second consecutive season. The 2017 season also featured the WTT debut of sensational rookie Darian King, the highest-ranked professional tennis player in the history of Barbados. Freedoms fans were thrilled by a visiting appearance from tennis great Venus Williams (Washington Kastles), who played in Philadelphia just weeks after reaching the final of the 2017 The Championships, Wimbledon.
Event chronology
- January 24, 2017: The Freedoms announced that their 2017 home matches will be played at the Michael J. Hagan Arena on the campus of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia.[1][2]
- February 16, 2017: The Freedoms selected Sloane Stephens and Andy Roddick at the WTT Marquee Player Draft.[3]
Draft picks
After finishing fourth in WTT in 2016, the Freedoms selected third in each round of WTT's drafts.
Marquee Player Draft
WTT conducted its 2017 Marquee Player Draft on February 16, in New York City. The selections made[3] by the Freedoms are shown in the table below.
| Round | No. | Overall | Player chosen | Prot? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 3 |  Sloane Stephens | N |
| 2 | 3 | 9 | Andy Roddick | N |
| 3 | 3 | 12 | Pass | – |
Transactions
- February 16, 2017: The Freedoms selected Sloane Stephens and Andy Roddick at the WTT Marquee Player Draft.[3]
See also
References
- "Saint Joseph's University and Philadelphia Freedoms Form New Partnership to Play All 2017 Home Matches at Hagan Arena". World TeamTennis. January 24, 2017. Archived from the original on March 6, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- Udo, Justin (January 24, 2017). "Philadelphia Freedoms Move to St. Joe's". KYW-TV. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- "Top-Ranked American Jack Sock is First Pick in Mylan WTT Marquee Draft". World TeamTennis. February 16, 2017. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.