Springfield Lasers spend top draft pick on Roddick

Last edited 11:13 a.m., Feb. 14, 2013

With its No. 1 pick at the Mylan World TeamTennis marquee player draft, the Springfield Lasers yesterday drafted 32-time singles title winner Andy Roddick to play during the 2013 season.

“I first played World TeamTennis when I was just starting out and have played throughout my career, so I’m excited to be back,” Roddick said in a news release. “I've always liked the competition and the fan energy. I love being on a team and am looking forward to playing for the Springfield Lasers this July.”

Coming off a 4-10 season in 2012, the Lasers will pick up play during the 38th WTT season July 7-28 at the Mediacom Tennis Stadium at the Cooper Tennis Complex, 2331 E. Pythian St. The team will play seven home matches and seven away matches.

Roddick, who retired from professional tennis last year at age 30, is scheduled to play one home match in Springfield and will play for the Lasers in five away matches. Dates for the marquee player matches are scheduled to be released in early March, the release said.

The Lasers also picked up a marquee visit from Women's Tennis Association No. 17-ranked player Sloane Stephens, who will be the visiting professional player during Roddick's home match.

“Obviously, this is an incredibly exciting draft for our Springfield Lasers franchise,” said Parks Director Bob Belote, who acts as CEO of the team, in the release. “It’s not every day that you get a chance to draft an iconic player like Andy Roddick to play for your team, so we are absolutely thrilled to have him leading our Lasers team this summer."

During his 12-year professional career, Roddick earned more than $20 million in prize money and posted a 612-213 record, according to his player profile on ESPN.com. He was ranked No. 1 in the world and won the U.S. Open in 2003, and he set a tennis record with a 155-mph serve in 2004, according to his professional bio. Last year, he earned $550,000, roughly half of his 2011 earnings.