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

March 25, 2016 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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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 joinAndy 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.

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

You can find the rosters for all six teams in the Mylan WTT here. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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