FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Springfield Mayor Ken McClure would like to congratulate the Springfield Lasers on their World TeamTennis (WTT) Championship Final, beating the top-seeded Philadelphia Freedoms 19-18 and winning the King Trophy.
Springfield came back from behind in the final set, men’s singles, which rookie Miomir Kecmanovic won 5-3, securing the victory.
“This is a banner day for the Lasers, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and the City of Springfield,” McClure said. “Congratulations, Coach de Jager and the whole team. You have made us proud.”
John-Laffnie “JL” de Jager has coached the Lasers for the last 12 consecutive seasons. It was Springfield’s first championship win, but the sixth shot at the King Trophy, having advanced to the championship final in 2014, 2013, 2009, 2001 and 1999.
The Freedoms, with a 12-2 season record, had been favored to win. They took the court in their home city with the stands full of fans — including team owner and tennis legend Billie Jean King, co-founder of the WTT league and namesake (along with her former husband, Larry King) of the King Trophy.
The actual King Trophy will remain in the care of the WTT league. However, a replica will be made to display in Springfield.
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For more information about the Mayor’s statement, please contact Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement, at 417-380-3352 or [email protected].
About the Springfield Lasers:
The Springfield Lasers were established in 1996 by the late Harry Cooper, who gifted the team to the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. The Lasers are one of the oldest teams in the WTT league. They are managed by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and play home matches at Cooper Tennis Complex.
For more information on Springfield Lasers, visit springfieldlasers.com, or look for Springfield Lasers on Facebook or @SGFLasers on Twitter.
For more information on World TeamTennis, visit WTT.com