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| Bob, left, and Mike Bryan of the visiting Texas Wild watch the action in a 2013 match against the Sacramento Capitals. The Bryans are scheduled to play three matches for the new Sacramento-based California Dream this season. Photo by Paul Bauman |
California then will play its home opener against the Springfield (Mo.) Lasers on Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Sunrise Mall in the Sacramento suburb of Citrus Heights.
The Dream moved from the Dallas area, where the team was known as the Texas Wild, to replace the Sacramento Capitals. They announced early last year that they were relocating to Las Vegas after 28 years because of the lack of a permanent tennis stadium.
The team disbanded five weeks later, however, after owner Deepal Wannakuwatte was arrested on charges of defrauding investors of more than $100 million in his medical supply business. He is serving a 20-year prison term.
The Dream is owned by Jeff Launius, who also controlled the team in Texas and previously Kansas City; Bob Kaliski, the president of the Harbor Point Tennis Club in Mill Valley (across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco); and Michael Malone, a Dallas-based investment banker.
As the Capitals did, the Dream will play at a temporary stadium at Sunrise Mall.
2015 DREAM
Bob Bryan, 37, Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., and Mike Bryan, 37, Wesley Chapel, Fla. -- Thirteenth season in WTT. ... Previously played for Idaho Sneakers (1999), Newport Beach Breakers (2004), Kansas City Explorers (2005-12), Texas Wild (2013) and San Diego Aviators (2014). ... Scheduled to play three of Dream's 14 regular-season matches. ... World's No. 1 team has won record 16 Grand Slam men's doubles titles. Bob has added seven mixed doubles crowns in Slams and Mike four. ... Mike ranks first in Open era (since 1968) with 108 career doubles titles and Bob second with 106. ... Won doubles gold medal in 2012 London Olympics and bronze in 2008 Beijing Games. ... Helped United States
win last of its record 32 Davis Cup championships in 2007 in
Portland, Ore. ... Played at Stanford for two years,
leading Cardinal to NCAA team title in 1997 and 1998. Bob earned rare "Triple Crown" in 1998, also winning NCAA singles and
doubles titles (with Mike). ... Father Wayne Bryan coached Capitals for their last
12 years in Sacramento and was named WTT Coach of the Year from 2004
through 2006.Jarmila (Jarka) Gajdosova, 28, Dallas -- Fourth season in WTT. ... Previously played three seasons with Kansas City. ... Named WTT Female Rookie of Year in 2007 and Finals MVP on 2010 league championship team. ... Career highs of No. 25 in singles (May 2011) and No. 51 in doubles (June 2007). ... Has won two titles in singles and one in doubles on WTA tour. ... Won 2013 Australian Open mixed doubles title with fellow Aussie Matthew Ebden. ... Slovakia native became Australian citizen in 2009.
Anabel Medina Garrigues, 33 on July 31, Valencia, Spain -- Second season in WTT for doubles specialist. ... Named last year's WTT Female Rookie of Year for Texas. ... Career highs of No. 16 in singles (May 2009) and No. 3 in doubles (November 2008). ... Has won 11 singles and 25 doubles titles on WTA tour. ... Captured French Open women's doubles crowns in 2008 and 2009 with fellow Spaniard Virginia Ruano Pascual. ... Won Olympic silver medal in women's doubles with Ruano Pascual in 2008. ... Last name pronounced Ga-REE-gus.
Tennys Sandgren, 24 on July 22, Wesley Chapel, Fla. -- First year in WTT. ... Career highs of No. 183 in singles in December 2013 and No. 115 in doubles in 2014. ... Had hip surgery last year and missed more than six months. ... Won doubles title in 2012 Sacramento Challenger with former University of Tennessee teammate Rhyne Williams. ... Turned pro after starring at Tennessee for two years. ... Helped Volunteers reach NCAA team final in Athens, Ga., in 2010 and advanced to NCAA singles semifinals at Stanford in 2011. ... Not named after tennis. Has Swedish heritage, and Tennys was name of great-grandfather, who did not play tennis.
Neal Skupski, 25, Liverpool, England -- First year in WTT. ... Replaces fellow doubles specialist Aisam Qureshi, who withdrew from league, on roster. ... Reached Moscow doubles final on ATP World Tour in 2013 with older brother Ken. ... Career high of No. 69 in doubles in March 2014. ... Three-time All-American at LSU (2009, 2011-12).
David Macpherson, 48, Sarasota, Fla. -- Named Coach of Year with San Diego last year, his first as WTT skipper. ... Played 14 seasons in WTT, including first three with Sacramento Capitals in early 1990s. ... Won 16 doubles titles on ATP World Tour and reached career-high No. 11 in 1992. ... Only 5-foot-9 (1.75 meters) and 140 pounds (64 kilograms). ... Has coached Bryan brothers on men's circuit since 2005. ... Native of Tasmania in Australia.
SCHEDULE
(Home matches at Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights; all times PDT)
Sunday -- At San Diego, 6 p.m.Monday -- Vs. Springfield, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday -- Vs. Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday -- At Austin (Andy Roddick plays for Aces), 5 p.m.
Friday -- Vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 18 -- Vs. Boston, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 19 -- At Austin, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, July 21 -- Vs. Springfield, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 22 -- At San Diego, 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 23 -- Vs. San Diego (Bryan brothers play for Dream), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 25 -- At Boston (Bryan brothers play for Dream), 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 -- At Philadelphia (Bryan brothers play for Dream), 5 p.m.
Monday, July 27 -- At Washington (Martina Hingis plays for Kastles), 4 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29 -- Vs. San Diego, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 30 -- Western Conference Championship at top seed, Eastern Conference Championship at top seed.
Sunday, Aug. 2 -- WTT Finals, Western Conference champion at Eastern Conference champion, 8 a.m. (PDT).
For more information: www.californiadreamtennis.com.
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