I just got back from a visit to the Tri Cities tennis operation in Albany, NY. They have purchased their own World Team Tennis League (WTT) and run a large scale WTT league in the winter months.

The WTT format is the same one followed by the professional WTT leagues run by Bille Jean King every summer. Matches consist of Mens & Womens singles, Mens & Womens doubles and Mixed Doubles. Competition includes abbreviated sets, substitutions and potential overtime. A minimum of 4 players per team are needed each match. Often, team members show up to substitute or simply cheer their team on.

Highlights of the league include: fewer people needed per team and a looser commitment level than USTA; mixing genders and levels on the same team; a unique scoring format and increased social interaction. A simple playoff format makes it easier for a team to advance to national competition. As WTT members, players receive various discounts including one free ticket to a summer WTT match. The OTB Buzz are located in Albany.

I am thinking of offering WTT instead of Mixed Doubles and would like to get some feedback from our members. To learn more, visit their website at http://www.worldteamtennis.com/ Feel free to jot a note in our comment box on the site or talk to yours truly or a staff member when you see us. WTT seems like something different and refreshing, and has caught my attention. I would like to know how you feel about offering WTT at BTC.