The Orange County Breakers claimed their second Mylan World Team Tennis title against the San Diego Aviators in Carlsbad, California by a score of 22-18.
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The Breakers, who lost to the Aviators in last year’s final, entered the championship match having swept all five MVP league awards. Teymur Gabashvili, male league MVP, also won the Finals MVP as well.
Gabashvili, who won his men’s singles match 5-4 against Rajeev Ram, led his team to victory for their first league title since 2004.
"It was so tight, everything was shaking," Gabashvili said. "It's only three to four shots that can make a difference. I was glad I could close it out."
Rick Leach, coach of the Breakers, enjoyed the victory having lost in the last two championship matches.
"A lot of people don't realize that the last time the Breakers won the title, my dad was the coach," said Leach. "It's means a lot to me. I've lost in the Finals three times as a coach. It's so difficult to win the King Trophy and very tough to win on the road. I'm proud of the way the team fought and came together at the right time. They all had to play their best to win, and they did."
World Team Tennis was co-founded by Billie Jean King in the 1970’s as a unique team tennis league. Championship winners receive the King Trophy named in her honor. The league is now in it’s 42nd year of operation, and one of only five professional sports leagues in the United States to be active after 40 years. In 2017, team owners Mark Ein and Fred Luddy acquired majority ownership of the organization.
Photo Credit: CameraWorkUSA