Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka, John Isner Headline Returning Franchise Player Field; Kirsten Flipkens Taken With First Overall Pick by New York Empire

The New York Empire selected WTA veteran Kirsten Flipkens with the first overall pick during the annual World TeamTennis draft on March 12, and top Americans Venus Williams, John Isner, Sam Querrey and Mike and Bob Bryan and former world No. 1 player Victoria Azarenka will also return to WTT this summer.

The 2019 WTT draft was held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, site of the BNP Paribas Open. Flipkens will join a star-studded list of players who will compete this summer during the league‘s 44th season, including 26-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, who will play her 14th season of World TeamTennis from July 14-31.

WTT‘s 44th season will run from July 14-31. The 2019 WTT playoffs, to be hosted at Orleans Arena (at The Orleans Hotel & Casino) in Las Vegas, begin with the league‘s semifinals on Aug. 2 and conclude with the WTT Finals on Aug. 3. To view the entire 2019 day-by-day schedule, click HERE.