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Buzz tennis moves to Albany Armory

By CATHY WOODRUFF, Staff writer
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Last updated: 3:13 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2008

ALBANY -- So long, Schenectady. Serena Williams and Anna Kournikova are coming to Albany.

     
In an announcement this afternoon, the New York Buzz of World Team Tennis announced it will leave Schenectady's Central Park for the Washington Avenue Armory.

According to a press release, "The arena will be air-conditioned and will have secure parking. This will help to accommodate the Buzz's growing fan base, give the team much more visibility and awareness, and help increase the level of hospitality the Buzz wish to provide."

The team's 14th season is to include seven home matches between July 3 and July 25.

Williams and Kournikova, both world-famous professional tennis players, are expected to play as part of the Buzz schedule this summer.

Kournikova's team, the St. Louis Aces, is to play the New York Buzz on July 22, and Buzz officials announced in February that Williams had agreed to play sometime after the July 5 women's final at Wimbledon.

Last year, seating at the CDPHP Stadium in Schenectady's Central Park was sold out when former top-ranked player Pete Sampras came to town. Others who have appeared in World Team Tennis matches in Schenectady include Boris Becker, Venus Williams, Andy Roddick and Martina Navratilova.

Buzz General Manager Nitty Singh has contemplated moving matches involving famous players indoors in previous years.

Two years ago, the Albany armory and a venue at Union College were considered for a match including Venus Williams.

Singh also pondered moving the team's entire season to the armory in Albany after a 2005 season that was beset by difficulties, including rain and a power failure that twice forced play inside to the Schenectady Racquet and Fitness Club.