2012 Record: 4-10 (3rd in the West)
Owners: Mel Launius / Jeff Launius
Key Additions: Alex Bogomolov Jr., Eugenie Bouchard
Key Losses: Chanel Simmonds
Returners: Bob and Mike Bryan, Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi
Head Coach: Brent Haygarth
The Texas Wild is a new team born out of the Kansas City Explorers after the franchise moved to Texas. Despite the new location, the Wild have maintained a balance of veterans and newcomers with the Bryan brothers and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi all returning to play with singles players Eugenie Bouchard and Alex Bogomolov Jr.
Although the dynamic duo of Bob and Mike Bryan are only playing four matches this summer, the Wild also have Qureshi, a top 10 doubles standout, for the entire season. Qureshi is coming off an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 victory in Miami with Western Conference opponent, Jean-Julien Rojer of the Springfield Lasers. The Bryans are also playing their best tennis, winning their fourteenth Grand Slam title at the French Open and 90th tour-level title at Queen’s Club.
Bouchard will be playing singles and doubles for the Wild. The Canadian sensation and 2012 Wimbledon junior champion is making a near-seamless transition onto the WTA Tour with a run to the third round of Wimbledon (defeating former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic en route). Bogomolov Jr. is a former top 40 player playing his third season with Mylan WTT. The Russian, who was voted the ATP’s Most Improved Player in 2011, will be playing men’s singles and doubles when the Bryans are not playing.
The final addition to the Wild’s line-up is doubles specialist Darija Jurak. The Croat has had a good start to 2013, reaching two WTA Tour Premier semifinals (Stuttgart, Sydney) and is coming off her best Grand Slam finish after reaching the third round of Wimbledon. The Mylan WTT debutante will be a solid compliment to Bouchard in women’s doubles and Qureshi in mixed.
While their line-up feels familiar, the Wild will largely be starting from scratch, with a new venue and new city. How quickly they can establish a fan base will be crucial as they begin the 2013 season as the “new kids on the block.” Bouchard could potentially be a daily draw and the Bryans are solid anchors for the team which will now make their home at the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas in Irving.
The Texas Wild coach Brent Haygarth, who also made the transition from Kansas City to Irving with the team, is expecting great results from his team. "We have a super strong line up with no real weakness at any event," said Haygarth. "With only onr rookie, that bodes well experience wise. Our players are all coming off good showings and we are looking forward to continued good form."
Haygarth is depending on the women to set the tone for a winning season. "I think the keys will be the women's events. The men are all very evenly matched, but I feel the difference will be how well our women compete and handle the pressure. I think the matches against the East will be critical. I imagine the matches versus the West will go back and forward, but the difference will be how we fare against the East."