Mylan World TeamTennis celebrates its 40th birthday this year. For more on WTT, including this season's schedule, click here.

SAN DIEGO AVIATIORS

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Mylan WTT Team Preview: San Diego Aviators

Mylan WTT Team Preview: San Diego Aviators

2014 Record: 10-4 (1st in the West)

Owner: Fred Luddy  
Key Additions: Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys  
Key Losses: Bob and Mike Bryan  
Returners: Raven Klaasen  
Coach: John Lloyd

Last season, the San Diego Aviators were looking like the biggest threat to challenge the Washington Kastles’ domination of Mylan World TeamTennis, beating them 22-18 during the regular season and entered the playoffs with an identical win/loss record. Crucially, the Aviators lost two of their three matches with the Springfield Lasers, the last of which came in the Western Conference Championship.

Despite the disappointment, the Aviators were still recognized for their superior efforts during the 2014 season, winning three individual honors including Female MVP (Daniela Hantuchova), Male Rookie of the Year (Somdev Devvarman) and Coach of the Year (David Macpherson).

This year will likely be one of change for the Aviators, who have a new coach and a revamped roster that blends the past, present, and future of the game. John Lloyd was a WTT Coach of the Year in 1990 with the Los Angeles Strings, and makes a return to the league for the first time in 20 years.

“I’ve been part of Team Tennis for many years,” Lloyd explained. “I love the format with the men playing with the women, and I think it’s a very exciting way to play the game. I’m also excited to be in San Diego. We’ve got a mixture of a couple of vets and I think we’re going to have a very good season.”

Headlining in women’s singles will be 2015 Australian Open semifinalist Madison Keys. Keys has had a season of firsts on the WTA Tour, achieving a career-high ranking of No. 16 and reaching the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. The American played Mylan WTT once before, making her debut with the Philadelphia Freedoms as a 14-year-old in 2009 -- beating world No. 1 Serena Williams along the way.

“It was so much fun to be able to be teammates with Andre [Agassi] and Venus [Williams]. I don’t think very many people get to say that,” Keys recalled. “I got to play Serena and Kim Clijsters. It was definitely my first time getting to play that many different people and it was such an amazing experience.”

Playing alongside Keys is the up-and-coming Taylor Fritz. The big-serving American already has a win on the ATP World Tour, but has been dominating the ITF Junior circuit, winning the Easter Bowl and reaching the French Open boy’s singles final -- earning the No. 1 ITF ranking for his accomplishments.

Navigating the Aviators in doubles will be Mylan WTT veterans in Raven Klaasen and Darija Jurak. Klaasen is the only returning member of the Aviators, while Jurak joins the team for the first time after two previous seasons with the Texas Wild.

Finally, Chani Scheepers will be stepping in for Keys on several match dates for women’s singles and doubles. The South African played three seasons with the Springfield Lasers after making her Mylan WTT debut in 2005, and won a combined 32 ITF Circuit titles.

“I’m really excited to play for San Diego; I’ve been there for the tournament in Carlsbad and I’ve really enjoyed it and heard a lot of things about it, so I’m looking forward to enjoying the city this season.”

San Diego has a potentially tricky opener against the newly-formed California Dream on July 12, but playing at home at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa, the Aviators are sure to have enthusiastic crowd support.