By Christopher Lancette
WASHINGTON – The Washington Kastles have won 22 consecutive World Team Tennis matches over the past two seasons but their biggest victory came on July 17. That’s when they united with other athletes, politicians and reporters to raise more than $15,000 that was immediately divided among three great charities. The D.C. Public Education Fund, Share Our Strength and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors all received contributions from the Washington Kastles Charity Classic, sponsored by a host of companies including Walmart.
The Kastles divided themselves between the “Stars” team and the “Stripes” team and hammed it up for the crowd throughout the night. Coach Murphy Jensen wore a live microphone to taunt his own charges and sometimes members of the other team coached by Leander Paes.
 Darrel Green |
Former Washington Redskin and NFL Hall of Famer Darrell Green drew the biggest ovation on the night, and that was before he leaped high in the air to pick off a would-be lob and put it away a volley for a winner.
“The whole idea is that we’re out here helping people,” Green said. “The charities do a great job and that’s what I love. Twenty years in professional football paid my lights, water and gas and took care of my family. It also gave me access and influence and resources that go beyond my family.”
Green’s current passion is serving as president of walkfithealth.com, a Web site dedicated to helping improve their health through walking. “All the research says you can make a big difference in your life by walking even ten minutes a day,” Green told me, after giving me a memory of a lifetime – allowing me to give him a few pointers to improve his forehand. “Walking helps you reduce stress, strengthen your heart, lose weight and improve your eating habits.”
 Rocky McIntosh (left) |
Green wasn’t the only former Redskin in town this week. Rocky McIntosh (now with the Rams) played opposite Green at the charity classic. He even gave the ball kids a workout by racing beside them as they sprinted across the court retrieving balls.
LaVar Arrington, meanwhile, made a stealth-like appearance at a match earlier in the week – appearing out of nowhere to high-five Kastles owner Mark Ein after a Washington victory over Boston.
How did I not notice a towering 250-pound linebacker during the match?
 Rocky McIntosh (center) and Mark Ein (left) |
“That’s what I do,” Arrington quipped. “You don’t need to know I’m here. I sneak in and check things out.”
Turns out he’s a big Kastles fan, even imploring Ein that he should buy the Redskins. “The thing I love about the Kastles,” he told World Tennis Magazine, “is that they’re D.C. excellence. “They’re coming off a perfect season and have some high stakes this year. I appreciate that these athletes play at such a high level, doing something I can’t do.”
 Arina Radionova (left) and Bobby Reynolds (right) |
I doubt that Arina Rodionova is going to sack a quarterback, either, so the admiration between Redskins and Kastles is probably mutual. Speaking of the effervescent Russian-turned-Australian, Ein told me that she just signed her first endorsement deal – playing well enough for Kastles’ teammate Venus Williams to sign her on to her clothing line, Eleven. Ein reports that Rodionova is the first professional tennis player other than the founder to garner a clothing deal with the company.
“She’s going to bring the stuff in a couple of days, which is very cool,” Rodionova said. “The stuff looks beautiful.”
The new duds will also compliment the major bling Ein gave Rodionova and the rest of the 2011 championship team – big, eye-catching and personalized rings.
 WTT 2011 Championship Ring on Murphy Jensen’s finger |
First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters made another appearance this week, too. Mrs. Obama and the kids immediately rose to their feet when the Kastles and Boston Lobsters took the court – giving both teams a round of applause.
 Michelle Obama (left), Sasha and Malia (right) |
Although the Obama family cheered the Kastles to a victory over the Lobsters, credit Boston’s Irina Falconi for upsetting Williams 5-0 in their set. Falconi surprised everyone by choosing to return first instead of serving. She promptly broke Williams and then kept her foot on the gas when she recognized Williams had suddenly cooled off. (Williams had put on a clinic in her mixed doubles and women’s doubles sets.) The former Georgia Tech star is one of a host of young Americans working their way up the Top 100.
Martina Hingis passed through the nation’s capital when her New York Sportimes took on the Kastles. Ever humble, she told reporters that she didn’t think she deserved to play mixed doubles with Roger Federer in the Olympics. “I haven’t played (at that level) in five years,” she said. “I wouldn’t be the kind of help he would need in a partner.”
 Martina Hingis |
Hingis was much more confident about playing World Team Tennis, saying that she loves the team spirit of the game. “I love that you have two girls and two boys and you travel around,” she said.” Even if you don’t feel that great when you wake up in the morning, you don’t play just for yourself. You play for the team. It’s great to share the memories and the victories.”
Caught off guard by a particularly quiet Washington press corps, she chided the mild-mannered gang for being so shy — offering to stick around for more questions. Hours later, after a long evening of playing and pressing flesh, she continued to pose for photos and sign autographs even as she had exited the stadium.
 Darrell Green and Leander Paes (Left); Murphy Jensen and Bobby Reynolds (Right) |
All photos by Won-ok Kim
