Austin Aces begin World Team Tennis season

The Austin Aces are playing their second season of World Team Tennis in its new home over at UT's Gregory Gym after playing last season out at Cedar Park Center. The team is off to a good start going into its home opener against the California Dream.

The Aces will take the court 14 times over the next two weeks with seven of those regular season matches will be at home.

Unfortunately fans won't get to see the team's marquee player and its biggest draw, Andy Roddick, take the court. The former U.S. Open champ and former World Number 1 is out this season after recently suffering an ankle injury.

But even without Roddick the Aces feel like they can still be successful.

"It's unfortunate that Andy couldn't (play) due to injury but I think we carried the torch pretty well so far," Aces player Jarmere Jenkins says.

Head coach Rick Leach not only wants the team to succeed on the court but hopes they can help boost interest not just in World Team Tennis but the sport in general around Central Texas.

"I promoted the team the last few months: doing clinics at clubs and for kids, trying to promote the grassroots of the game around Austin.  I remember as a kid coming to World Team Tennis matches and it makes a big impression on the young junior players. So the more kids that come out here the better because I think they'll really enjoy it and have a good time and want to play more tennis,” Leach says.

You can watch the full press conference with the Austin Aces on our YouTube page here.