THE PHILADELPHIA FREEDOMS FINALIZE 2019 ROSTER BY SELECTING ADRIAN MENENDEZ-MACEIRAS IN THE 2019 DRAFT
FREEDOMS RESIGN TOWNSEND, MARTIN AND ATAWO FOR 2019
The Philadelphia Freedoms today finalized their 2019 roster today by selecting Adrian Menendez-Maceiras, 33, of Spain, with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the World TeamTennis Draft (WTT) in Indian Wells, CA. In addition, the team resigned three players from last season’s roster, including 2018 WTT Female MVP Taylor Townsend, Fabrice Martin and Raquel Atawo. The 2018 Freedoms team finished first with a 12-2 record before falling in the WTT Finals to the Springfield Lasers.
Freedoms newly named Director of Player Personnel and Community Engagement Judy Murray made the announcement at the podium. She was joined at the Draft by team owner Billie Jean King, General Manager Barbara Perry, and Head Coach Craig Kardon.
“Adrian is a great competitor who fights for every point, and will fit perfectly with the WTT format,” said Kardon. “He will complement Fabrice very well in (men’s) doubles and Fabrice is very excited to be playing with him. Adrian has a big forehand and a very dependable serve.”
“Adrian is a solid player,” said Murray. “He will beautifully complement our three protected players, who all have extensive experience with the World TeamTennis format.”
Menendez-Maceiras has a career high-ranking singles of World No. 111, achieved in June 2015. He reached the finals of 14 ITF Futures tournaments, winning nine of them. He has won four ATP Challenger tournaments.
Townsend, the 2018 WTT Female MVP, returns to the Freedoms for her fifth season in Philadelphia. In her 2018 MVP campaign, Townsend had a 13-0 record in Women’s Singles and was both the top ranked Women’s Singles and Doubles player in the league. Last year she won three ITF Singles Titles and one ITF Doubles Titles and is currently the 11th ranked U.S. Women’s Singles player.
Martin debuted for the Freedoms in 2016 when he won the WTT Male Rookie of the Year Award. The 2019 season will mark his fourth consecutive season playing for the Freedoms. Martin and Townsend were the top-ranked Mixed Doubles team in the league in 2017.
In February of this year, Martin won an ATP Challengers Event in Quimper, France and an ATP 250 Series Event in Marseille, France. Martin is a top-5 Men’s Doubles player in his home country of France.
Atawo will play her second-consecutive season for the Freedoms. Townsend and Atawo were the top Women’s Doubles Team in the league last season. Individually, she was the second ranked Women’s Doubles player in the league behind Townsend. The doubles star has won 18 career WTA Doubles Titles and is currently the third ranked American Women’s Doubles player.
The Freedoms will play seven home matches at Hagan Arena on the campus of Saint Joseph’s University starting in July. Season ticket memberships and group experiences are available now by calling 215-667-8132 or emailing tickets@philadelphiafreedoms.com.