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Most professional sports are trying to return with a bubble format, where every team in a given league plays in just one or two locations.
World Team Tennis is no different as the Springfield Lasers will go for a three-peat a complex in West Virginia during the next three weeks.
“The team, they always love playing at home, so that’s definitely going to be different,” said Head Coach John-Laffnie “JL” de Jager.
It’s the first time in years that area tennis fans won’t have the Lasers in town.
“Ever since I was five, I’ve looked forward to seeing the Lasers play,” said Willard sophomore and Lasers fan Caden Lingenfelser. “It’s kind of sad that they get to be somewhere else.”
“I’ve been since I was little actually, they were the inspiration for me to start playing,” said Logan-Rogersville senior and Lasers fan Lauren Roberts.
Lauren spends plenty of time training at Cooper Tennis Complex. She’ll not only miss watching the Lasers in person, but also spending time with the pros during practice.
“It’s really cool because you feel like you have a little connection with them,” she said. “I’ve seen them train, I know what they’re working on.”
With three returners from last year’s team, maybe Lauren can spot those training techniques on TV, as most of the Lasers matches in West Virginia will have live broadcasts.
“Yeah, [my family and I are] definitely going to watch every single match we can,” Lauren said.
And why wouldn’t they? After all, the Lasers are competing for a third straight World Team Tennis title.
“We’ve got three new exciting players that are part of the team, so we’re excited and we’re going to go for that King Trophy again,” de Jager said.
It’s a goal that means a little more these days for JL and the team, knowing just how much its meant to the fans these last two years.
“That was special for me to realize how much it meant for Springfield that they had a professional team that won a championship, and the team realizes that and that’s what they appreciate about the spectators and support and that’s something we will definitely miss this year,” de Jager said.
Just as the fans will miss their Lasers.
