US Open semifinalists
The league confirmed the roster additions on Wednesday, noting that the American stars will be joined by fellow top-ranked player Taylor Fritz and Camila Osorio. This announcement bolsters the New York squad as they prepare to compete in a revamped format designed to showcase the league's unique mixed-gender team approach.
League Structure and Roster Developments
The upcoming season, which kicks off on December 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, will feature a fresh match structure. Each contest will consist of four singles sets—comprising men's and women's No. 1 and No. 2 positions—followed by a mixed doubles super tiebreaker. Teams are required to field two men and two women to start each match, with further roster announcements expected in the coming weeks.
The New York Empire will open their campaign against the Florida Flamingos Racquet Club. The Flamingos have already secured commitments from Tommy Paul, Learner Tien, and Iva Jovic. Meanwhile, the Toronto North Racquet Club has confirmed a roster featuring Canadian talents Leylah Fernandez, Victoria Mboko, and Gabriel Diallo.
A Legacy of Mixed-Gender Competition
World Team Tennis, which was co-founded by Hall of Famer Billie Jean King in 1974, has long served as a platform for promoting mixed-gender team tennis. The league’s return continues this tradition, providing a competitive environment that differs from the standard individual tour events.
The timing of the announcement coincides with the ongoing success of the league's marquee players at the US Open. Pegula is scheduled to face top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in her upcoming match, while Tiafoe is set to compete against Ben Shelton in the men's semifinals on Friday. As these athletes continue their deep runs in New York, their commitment to the upcoming team season highlights the growing momentum for the league's December restart.
