Two things have become synonymous with the Washington Kastles of Mylan World TeamTennis: winning (lots of it) and Murphy Jensen.
Perhaps they're directly related.
Jensen and his larger-than-life personality will patrol the Kastles' sidelines for the sixth straight season in 2014, as the Kastles look to claim their fifth league championship. Since Jensen took over the reigns in Washington, D.C. in 2009, the Kastles have won four King Trophies – in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Last season, the Kastles broke the record for the longest winning streak for a U.S. major professional sports team, when they reached 34 consecutive wins.
Despite the team's pedigree since his appointment, Jensen certainly doesn't take all the credit for the Kastles' sustained success.
“The Kastles' success begins with our ownership, Mark Ein, and the commitment to excellence that everyone in the organization shares,” Jensen said. “This includes a commitment to one another as a city, a team and a franchise.”
Jensen, who's received the Mylan WTT Coach of the Year Award each of the past three seasons, doesn't want to give away too many of his coaching secrets. However, he is willing to part with some of the tricks of the trade that have helped the Kastles go 46-2 over the past three years.
“I would say that my coaching style is honest and heartfelt,” he said. “We are a team first, last and always. We have one rule, we play for one another and we protect one another under all conditions. I think our love for our city, the fans and for the game gives us an incredible edge wherever we play.”
The Kastles will see many of the same faces suit up for them in 2014, as Venus Williams, Martina Hingis, Bobby Reynolds, Anastasia Rodionova and Leander Paes are all back for yet another tour of duty with the franchise. Joining them this season will be ATP and WTA top-20 stars Kevin Anderson, who made his debut for the team last season, and Sloane Stephens, who will be returning to the league for the first time since 2009.
“It's a great feeling as a coach to have Kevin Anderson and Sloane Stephens be part of creating their own history for an already historic franchise,” Jensen said. “They will be a smashing addition and a powerful force for our team.”
“The biggest strength in our lineup is that everyone on the team makes a difference,” he continued. “One player is not going to determine our success or failure. We all need to take care of our roles and responsibilities to be successful.”
The Kastles will be playing their home matches at a new venue this season, moving to Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center. Aside from the team's incredibly on-court chemistry, Jensen says that the fans in the area, who have embraced the Kastles whole-heartedly, play a big role in their success. He expects this support to continue even at the Kastles' new home.
“They are loud, they are proud of their team and they love tennis,” he said. “It's a great recipe for success.”
Jensen doesn't have any goals or high expectations for his team after such an extended period of dominance. Instead, he likes to keep things simple.
“We play for one another, we protect one another, and we don't beat ourselves,” he said. “If we do those things, we will be successful.”
Jensen and the Kastles will open their season on Monday, July 7 when they travel to the Manchester Athletic Club to take on the Boston Lobsters.