The Philadelphia Weekly used Twitter in the best way possible — they microblogged the Twitterverse about World TeamTennis! The @PhillyWeekly and @burymeindickies put together a delightful Twitter thread on the inaugural year of WTT. Check it out and see how Arthur Ashe, Wilt Chamberlain and Elton John all played integral roles in the launch of World TeamTennis in 1974.
In 1974, @PhillyFreedoms were the toast of the tennis world. Anchored by MVP player-coach @BillieJeanKing, they led the charge for a new era in sports. Then, after only one season, it was all over. Read the story by @burymeindickies below. pic.twitter.com/s6DXMpTAcJ
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
In 1973, along with her then husband—Larry King, and sports entrepreneur — Dennis Murphy, @BillieJeanKing co-founded @WorldTeamTennis. pic.twitter.com/PVKOyadRQE
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
The premise was simple yet ambitious. Bring together tennis’ best, both men and women to play with and against one another . This league would show in sports true talent—no matter the gender—should be showcased and revered.
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
With the foundation of the league firmly laid, next came getting the talent on board. Billie Jean King headed up the campaign to secure the women players. And tennis Legend Arther, along with the help of @sixers great Wilt Chamberlain, secured the male players. pic.twitter.com/aMvr1iR74d
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
After the talent was secured, next came the beginning of chartering teams and choosing cities that would be represented in this new super league. As other cities like Baltimore and Los Angeles gained charters, so did Philadelphia making it one of the first 16 teams.
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
Next came finding a commissioner to oversee operations. George MacCall, a trailblazer in his own right for pushing major events to pay players who at the time feared being barred from competition, was the right man for the job and took the reigns in 1974. pic.twitter.com/R36A4fVS40
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
Before teams began to pick players, coaches were chosen to head each team. Having already developed a loving relationship of Greater Philadelphia Region from her time playing on the Main Line, @BillieJeanKing joined the Freedom as a player-coach. pic.twitter.com/EYzwaYS6jv
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
In a time where lines were drawn between the sexes, King was a leader in the fight for equality. Becoming the player-coach of the Freedom made her the first woman coach of a professional team that had male athletes. An incredibly powerful symbol of the strength of all women.
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
Now, came the draft. With King having an amazing eye for talent she began to recruit. Her ability to spot skill and tenacity proved impeccable. The 1973-74 roster was made up of future Hall of Famer Fred Stolle, doubles champ Brian Fairlie… pic.twitter.com/rbBKK4J6Qm
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
…intercollegiate Hall of Famer Tory-Ann Fetz, Kathy Kuykendall who at the time was ranked 6th nationally, UK’s No. 1 male tennis pro Christopher Mottram, and national collegiate doubles champ Julie Anthony. With this stacked roster, The Freedoms were a powerhouse. pic.twitter.com/kBjiSL6OFk
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
Amidst all of these changes, drafts, and so on, BJK was also leveraging her relationships to bring awareness to @worldteamtennis but even more closely, the@PhillyFreedoms itself. Having a very high profiled friendship with @eltonofficial, she invited him to a promo match. pic.twitter.com/XtSaXw3uuv
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
As the story goes, he was so captivated by the energy that he was inspired to write a song about his friend and her new endeavor. Written by @eltonofficial and his writing partner Bernie Taupin, the song was big, vibrant, and perfect for this startup team. pic.twitter.com/XZlNF4AdYr
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
John’s enthusiasm for the Freedom proved long lasting. He would be seen often on the team’s bench wearing a player uniform getting into the matches as if he was about to step foot on the court. He was the ultimate ambassador. pic.twitter.com/5RcSurPPYL
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
Now, a breakdown of the rules. Prior to each match, coaches decided order of the sets. Each match consists of 5 sets. Each set featured a different order of co-ed singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. 1 point is awarded for each game one. First to 5 games wins each set. pic.twitter.com/roBmdKru2U
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
@WorldTeamTennis wasn’t just innovative in its rules. The courts were designed differently as well. Each court was made up of four colors. The colors signified a lack of lines that confined players into “service zones.” This new court design made the game more entertaining. pic.twitter.com/NdXVPIeRnl
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
On May 6, 1974, in what was then the Spectrum, the @PhillyFreedoms launched the very first @worldteamtennis season against the Pittsburgh Triangles. pic.twitter.com/2Yc5a9RZ9m
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
The Freedom took this momentum and rolled through the season. Led by King, they posted a 36-5 record, still a League best to date. King also recorded MVP honors. In the first WTT playoff series, the Freedom beat the Cleveland Nets in the Eastern Division Semifinals. pic.twitter.com/dPPTHzd8cM
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
The Freedom had advanced to the Eastern Division Finals to face the Pittsburgh Triangles, who they had previously defeated. They would beat them again with a score of 52-45 and move to the finals.
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
After rolling into the finals, the Freedom were swept by the Denver Racquets who would become the inaugural champions of @WorldTeamTennis. With such a groundbreaking season in the bag, things looked like they could only get better. But, of course, they got worse. pic.twitter.com/uFhHbQAMg8
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
After the 1974 season, @WorldTeamTennis owners decided they wanted to expand. To do this, NYC would need a team. So, Dick Butera—then owner of the Freedom—traded @BillieJeanKing to the New York Salts. Following this bitter move, Robert Kraft (yep, that one) expressed interest… pic.twitter.com/5NU6ovpBqE
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
…in buying the Boston Lobsters but the team was already a part of @worldteamtennis. After speaking to Butera, Kraft and other investors were able to make a deal with Butera moving the Freedom to Boston after only one season in Philly. pic.twitter.com/gLl0bJ6NJp
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
Gender roles, norms and innovation were all tested in 1974. The @PhillyFreedoms and @worldteamtennis were monumental in moving tennis forward. Collectively it brought a new flavor to an old game that inspired athletes all over the country. pic.twitter.com/4MDQAlLu4H
— PhillyWeekly (@PhillyWeekly) October 9, 2019
