August 13, Kastles Stadium at the George Washington University Smith Center, Washington, D.C. – With an enthusiastic crowd attending the Washington Kastles’ last game of the 2016 World TeamTennis (WTT) season, the home team did not disappoint.
In an action-packed matchup sprinkled with a touch of suspense, the Kastles’ defeated the league-leading Orange County Breakers, 25-19. World No. 16 Nick Kyrgios of Australia, in his first season with Kastles, led this exciting drama. Serving with speed and power, he also hit unexpected drop shots, ran behind the baseline for a return between his legs, and fell down while attempting an impossible shot with his outstretched arms, suggesting that he could entertain as well as showman Gael Monfils.
Although Kyrgios narrowly lost in Men’s Singles to the Breakers’ Dennis Novikov, 5-4, Washington won all its other matches. Kyrgios paired with fellow Australian Sam Groth in the Men’s Doubles, and although the two were a pale imitation of their more famous retired compatriots, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, they managed to scratch out a win, 5-4, relying primarily their first serves. Andreja Klepac, Madison Brengle and Anastasia Rodionova rounded out the rest of the Kastles squad, with Klepac teaming up with Kyrgios for a Mixed Doubles win.
Knowing in advance that the Kastles would not be in Mylan WTT playoffs for the first time in six years, the devoted fans nevertheless were in a celebratory mood throughout the match, screaming in support of their beloved team. Their shouts of “Refuse to Lose” was their constant refrain. After the match, many of the fans stayed behind for autographs and selfies, reminding a similar scene when the Kastles won their fifth straight championship and their sixth in just nine years of history of this expansion franchise. The winning streak may be over, but this team is still a “Dynasty,” indeed!
Photos: Washington Kastles 25, Orange County Breakers 19
all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine
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