Serena to miss appearance in Philly

A foot injury will keep Serena Williams from playing her scheduled World TeamTennis matches this week. 

Williams, who plays for the defending WTT Champion Washington Kastles, cut her foot earlier this week and was not able to play her first WTT match against the New York Buzz in Glens Falls, N.Y., on Friday, July 9.  Williams was also scheduled to play WTT matches for the Kastles at the Pavilion at Villanova University on Tuesday, July 13, as well as matches at Washington, DC on Wednesday, July 14, and at New York on Thursday, July 15.

"I'm very disappointed that I won't be able to play in the WTT matches this season,” said Williams.  “It is always such a fun experience and I love interacting with the fans in the cities that I don't often have the opportunity to play in during the rest of the year."

There is still an exciting night of World TeamTennis at the Pavilion at Villanova University on Tuesday, July 13, as the Freedoms meet the Kastles. Prakesh Amritraj, son of the legendary player Vikjay Amritraj, former WTT MVP, Ramon Delgado, and last year's Wimbledon Junior Champion and World Junior Champion Noppawan Lertcheewakarn will all be in action for Philadelphia.

Williams will also miss the scheduled celebrity half-time match in which she was to partner with Comcast SportsNet's Michael Barkann and face Philadelphia Flyers' Scott Hartnell and WIP's Howard Eskin.

Hartnell will now battle Barkann in a special singles the celebrity half-time match. Tickets are on sale now at ComcastTIX.com.

"It's unfortunate that Serena will not be in Philadelphia, but it will still be a great night of tennis for our fans and our sponsors," said Freedoms General Manager Barbara Perry. "We will showcase world-class tennis, block parties for kids and families, and fun-filled celebrity tennis."

The Freedoms will also play the Boston Lobsters on Monday, July 12 at 7 p.m. on Billie Jean King Kids Night, and a return visit by the Boston Lobsters, on Thursday, July 15 in a match that will feature Andy Roddick playing for the Freedoms.

Next week, the Freedoms wrap up their 2010 schedule with matches on Tuesday, July 20 versus the St. Louis Aces and Anna Kournikova and Wednesday, July 21 against Martina Hingis and the New York Buzz.  All remaining home matches begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at ComcastTIX.com.