NEW YORK, N.Y. (March 12, 2013) – Cancer survivor Alisa Kleybanova (pictured to the right) was selected by the Springfield Lasers with the first overall pick in today’s 2013 Mylan World TeamTennis Roster Draft at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif. The former world No. 20 will make her Mylan WTT debut on July 8, when Springfield hosts the Boston Lobsters.
Kleybanova was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in May 2011. She successfully returned to action in Miami last year, winning her first round match, but decided she was not healthy enough to return to the WTA Tour. The Russian has been training off the court and is looking forward to playing her first Mylan WTT season.
“It looks very exciting and tough,” said Kleybanova."But I love challenges, so I'm ready to take the opportunity to participate in Mylan WTT this summer!”
In other first round draft highlights, fans will have the opportunity to see 2013 International Tennis Hall Of Fame inductee Martina Hingis (pictured to the left) team up with Venus Williams in Washington. The two-time defending Mylan WTT champion Kastles picked up the rights to Hingis in a pre-draft trade with the New York Sportimes. Williams was protected by the Kastles in February’s Mylan WTT Marquee Draft. In 1997, Hingis defeated Williams in an all-teenage final at the US Open.
A trio of future American stars will be featured on the multi-colored courts of Mylan WTT for the first time. Jessica Pegula and Steve Johnson were drafted fourth and fifth overall by the Philadelphia Freedoms and the