Lasers Hopeful for WTT Title Defense in 2020

Paul Nahon is ready for some World TeamTennis.

You can’t blame him. Nahon is the Springfield Lasers General Manager and his team has won back-to-back WTT championships, the first two titles in Lasers history. But he, like everyone else, is currently playing a waiting game brought on by the COVID-19.

“We’re really in hopes that we have a season,” Nahon said.

So is the WTT league office. The 2020 season should begin July 12, but they are monitoring the situation daily.

"We remain hopeful that the 2020 World TeamTennis season will begin on July 12, as originally scheduled," the league said April 6, "and it is our hope that we will be bringing marquee team tennis to our nine WTT cities, as well as Las Vegas' Orleans Arena for the WTT Playoffs on August 1-2."

The league will post another update no later than the first week of May.

Wimbledon has canceled its 2020 championships because of COVID-19, something Nahon said will give WTT a bigger window of opportunity for its season.

"We’re holding meetings as if we’re going to have the season and we’re getting online tickets ready," Nahon said. "We’re hoping to know by May 1 and launching ticket sales June 1. If things clear up earlier, we’ll get going before that.”

Other decisions aren’t waiting until May. Nahon has worked hard on the 2020 roster, coached by J.L. de Jager, and is excited about the team he’s assembled. That roster should include a couple of faces that will be familiar to Lasers fans.

“We do have our roster. The team is in place, but we’re waiting for an official announcement,” Nahon said. “The players want to play. They’ve been in touch with us and are really looking forward to it.”

The Lasers open the season with a busy first week. Springfield opens the season July 12 at Cooper Tennis Complex, with a visit from the Vegas Rollers. They’ll play six matches in seven days, including a trip to expansion franchise Chicago Smash July 14 and a home match against the Washington Kastles July 18. The Lasers’ seven home matches will all start at 6:30 p.m.

VIP and season tickets are now on sale. Call 417-837-5800 to order. Individual tickets will be on sale at SpringfieldLasers.com.

For more information on the Lasers, visit their website, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

2020 Springfield Lasers Schedule

Sunday, July 12 vs. Vegas Rollers

Monday, July 13 vs. Chicago Smash

Tuesday, July 14 at Chicago Smash

Thursday, July 16 vs. San Diego Aviators

Friday, July 17 vs. Orange County Breakers

Saturday, July 18 vs. Washington Kastles

Monday, July 20 at Vegas Rollers

Tuesday, July 21 at Orange County Breakers

Wednesday, July 22 at San Diego Aviators

Thursday, July 23 at San Diego Aviators

Saturday, July 25 vs. New York Empire

Sunday, July 26 vs. Orlando Storm

Tuesday, July 28 at Washington Kastles

Wednesday, July 29 at Philadelphia Freedoms

Saturday, Aug. 1 WTT Playoffs in Las Vegas

Sunday, Aug. 2 WTT Finals in Las Vegas