NY Empire Grabs Local Star Christina McHale With First Overall Pick in Mylan WTT Draft

    NEW YORK, NY, March 27, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The New York Empire presented by Citi today selected Teaneck, N.J., native Christina McHale as its first pick in the Mylan World TeamTennis Roster Draft, held in Miami. McHale, 24, is currently ranked at No. 56 on the WTA Tour, best of any American player drafted today.

McHale has one finals appearance in her young WTA career, in Acapulco in 2014. She is a five-time member of the American Fed Cup team (2010-12, 2014-15) and represented the U.S. on the Olympic squad in 2012. McHale, who has ranked as high as No. 24, reached the Round of 32 in Indian Wells last week, and this week pushed World No. 1 Serena Williams to three sets in their second-round match in Miami this week.

"We are delighted to have selected Christina McHale as the anchor of our inaugural season roster," said Empire Coach Patrick McEnroe. "Christina is a local favorite who has grown into one of the top American players with a tremendous New York fan following. Combined with Andy Roddick as our Marquee Player and Guido, Maria and Oliver, it will be an exciting and very competitive first year at Forest Hills Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club."

With its other selections, the Empire grabbed Guido Pella and María Irigoyen, both of Argentina, and Oliver Marach of Austria. They join Andy Roddick, previously announced as the team's Marquee player, on the roster for 2016 play, scheduled for July 31-August 13 at historic Forest Hill Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club. The schedule of home and away matches will be announced in mid-April.

Pella currently ranks at a career high of No. 39 on the ATP World Tour, the top men's singles player available in the Roster Draft. The 25 year old reached the finals in Rio last month and the round of 32 last week in Indian Wells.

Irigoyen, 28, a doubles specialist, currently rates at No. 53 in the WTA Doubles rankings. She was the champion at last month's event in Rio, an event she also won in 2014 and was finalist in 2015. She has two other doubles finals appearances and has been a member of the Argentine Fed Cup team since 2008.

Marach, 35, is an 18-year pro who ranks at No. 47 in doubles, with a career best mark of No. 8 in 2010. He has 15 career doubles crowns, including Delray Beach and Chennai this year.

Season ticket packages are on sale now! Package options are Courtside Tables, Front Row Baseline Boxes of 4 and Premium Baseline Individual Season Tickets. All packages include access to full food and beverage service, hospitality opportunities with our players and coach, and much more. Individual and group tickets will go on sale concurrent with the release of the schedule in mid-April. For full pricing details, general info, or to place an order, email Brian Healey at [email protected] or call (844) 5-EMPIRE (844-536-7473).

Fans can follow the team at http://www.NYEmpireTennis.com and on Twitter (@nyempiretennis) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/NYEmpireTennis).

About the New York Empire
The New York Empire presented by Citi will play their first season at Forest Hills Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club. The restored facility will be configured to seat 2,500 for six home matches from July 31 through August 13. Patrick McEnroe will serve as the coach of the Empire, and former US Open champion Andy Roddick will be a marquee player on the team. The stadium hosted the US Open Tennis Championships a total of 60 times, first from 1915 to 1920, and then again from 1924 to 1977. In addition, the finals of the Davis Cup were held at the club 10 times, more than any other venue. Currently, the stadium is also used as a music venue for concerts. Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, and Mumford & Sons headline the 2016 Forest Hills Stadium summer concert series.

About Mylan World TeamTennis
The New York Empire is one of six Mylan World TeamTennis teams that will compete in the innovative professional team tennis league for the King Trophy, the championship trophy named after co-founder Billie Jean King. For more information on Mylan WTT, visit http://www.WTT.com.

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