Balls and Rackets

Despite widespread apathy from the sports press, World Team Tennis still survives after 35 years. Although relegated to the agate-type ghetto of most sports pages, the league boasts 10 successful franchises and provides a real buffet for the tennis fan: five matches, including men’s and women’s singles, mixed doubles, and men’s and women’s doubles. Among the superstars in the league’s history are the game’s best ever: Martina Navratilova, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Billie Jean King. Those playing World Team Tennis this year include the sport’s best: Serena Williams, Martina Hingis and Andy Roddick. And even though the KC Explorers may not actually participate in the WTT Finals, the franchise hosts the World Team Tennis Finals at Barney Allis Plaza (12th Street and Wyandotte) at 6:35 p.m. The winners of the Eastern and Western conferences play in the finals, last won by the oddly named Washington Kastles. Tickets cost $20 to $50 through Ticketmaster (800-745-3000). See kcexplorers.com for details.— Chris Rasmussen

Sun., July 25, 6:35 p.m., 2010