Union College in Schenectady has been chosen as the site for the Capital Region appearance of Venus Williams, winner of five Grand Slam tennis titles.
Williams is scheduled to play a World TeamTennis match for the Philadelphia Freedoms against the Schenectady-based New York Buzz on Wednesday, July 19. The site will be Messa Rink at Achilles Center, an indoor facility used in season by the Union hockey team.
“I thought it would be nice for the fans,” Buzz owner Nitty Singh said Tuesday. “Most of our fans come from out of town. This way you don't have to worry about whether it's going to take place. You know how the weather can be around here in the summer.”
The Buzz's other six home matches will be played outdoors at Schenectady's Central Park.
The team considered several indoor venues for the Williams appearance.
“The county and the city wanted to keep it in Schenectady,” Singh said, “so we're in Schenectady.”
“We have always believed that professional tennis belongs in Schenectady,” Mayor Brian Stratton said in a statement. “We are very pleased that our united effort with the county has kept the entire New York Buzz summer season in Schenectady.”
Tickets for the July 19 event, expected to begin at $36, will go on sale May 1. Information can be obtained at http://nybuzzwtt.com or by calling 378-BUZZ.
The Buzz opens its season July 6 at home against Kansas City. The season ends July 23.