The colorful tennis league that pioneered gender equality in professional sports
In short: Founded in 1974, World TeamTennis broke tradition with a mixed-gender format and a signature technicolor court. By providing equivalent standing to all male and female athletes, it became the inaugural professional sports league to do so, drawing icons like John McEnroe and Billie Jean King.
The league's original identity was inseparable from its unique playing surface. To eliminate the need for traditional lines, WTT introduced a 'calico' or checkerboard court in the early 1970s, which was officially unveiled for the third season in 1976. This vibrant design used specific colors to represent different surfaces: blue and green for hard and grass, maroon for clay, and brown for dirt. The original court design featured blue and green service boxes, while the baseline was brown and the alleys were maroon. This distinctive aesthetic was intended to replace traditional court lines entirely.
The match format was as unconventional as the court. Instead of a standard single set, matches consisted of five sets featuring different configurations: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. To keep the pace fast, the league utilized 'no-advantage' scoring, where the next point scored after deuce wins the game, and the first team to reach five games wins the set. Coaches determined the specific order of the sets before every match. If a set reached a four-all tie, a nine-point tiebreaker decided the winner.
Beyond the court, WTT served as a launchpad for significant sports figures. It was the first professional experience for future owners like Jerry Buss and Bob Kraft. The league also had a profound impact on individual careers; for instance, Jimmy Connors was denied a chance at a calendar-year Grand Slam in 1974 due to his participation in the league. After a hiatus following the 2021 season, WTT has announced plans to relaunch in December 2026. The league's leadership has included figures such as Commissioner George MacCall and later Billie Jean King. Additionally, the competition has seen various expansion teams and franchises throughout its history.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: World TeamTennis
- Also: Wikidata — World TeamTennis · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — 2013 World TeamTennis season · CC0
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