2012 Record: 8-8 (L in Mylan WTT Finals)
Owners: Deepal Wannakuwatte, Ramey Osborne
Key Additions: Megan Moulton-Levy, Taylor Townsend
Key Losses: Coco Vandeweghe
Returners: Mardy Fish, Sam Querrey, Mark Knowles, Ryan Sweeting
Head Coach: Wayne Bryan
The Sacramento Capitals fell one match short of the King Trophy last summer, losing a tight 20-19 Mylan WTT final to the unstoppable Washington Kastles. Coming into the 2013 season, the Capitals continue to boast great depth on the men’s side, especially in singles. Ryan Sweeting, playing his sophomore season with Sacramento, begins the season playing men’s singles. “He is talented, he is athletic, he is hard hitting and he has lots of room to improve,” says Capitals’ coach, Wayne Bryan. Mardy Fish, a former No. 1 American, will appear in three matches during the middle of the season. “he is in good shape and playing well, and he should really help our team the first week of the season. He’s a great guy and a fan favorite all over the world. Current top-ranked American Sam Querrey will round the season playing men’s singles and doubles.
Mark Knowles, 12-year WTT veteran and 3-time WTT Male MVP, is one of the most successful players in Mylan WTT history. Knowles, who has won three doubles Grand Slams and the 2009 Wimbledon mixed doubles title (with Anna-Lena Groenefeld of the New York Sportimes), has also played on two Mylan WTT Championship teams. He will provide much needed experience to a team that is mixed not only with veterans, but also newcomers like Megan Moulton-Levy and Taylor Townsend. On Knowles, coach Bryan said, “[He has] maybe the best deuce backhand return the game has ever seen. And what a sweet volley. Moves at the net like a panther. Very tough competitor and give each and every match 100%.”
The women’s side features two players making their Mylan WTT debut, Taylor Townsend and Megan Moulton-Levy. Townsend is a talented youngster who has won junior Grand Slam titles in both singles and doubles. “She is headed for the top and we are happy that this personable and gifted young player will be with us this season and we expect great things from her on the singles and doubles court,” says coach Bryan.
Moulton-Levy has plenty of experience playing college tennis, and has begun making inroads on the WTA Tour in doubles, but is new to the Mylan WTT format. Coach Bryan believes she’ll make a good impression. “I enjoyed getting out on the court with her in Miami and I expect her to improve lots during our season. Like Taylor, she is charismatic and the two of them should make a fabulous doubles team.”
Sacramento will have to find a way to weave their rotating lineup into a team throughout July. That task will fall to Bryan, who is a master at Mylan WTT strategy, and he isn’t overlooking any of his competition, “The Western Conference will be tough as nails this July. Any of the four teams could win it.” The Capitals have the roster and the coach to get back to the Finals Weekend, but it will be a matter of putting the pieces together at the right time."