Roddick excited about bringing World TeamTennis to Austin

While Andy Roddick may have retired from playing in 2012, he's still very much a part of the game as a minority owner of Mylan World TeamTennis.

Roddick is in his eighth season as a player for World TeamTennis, but this is his first season with his hometown Austin Aces. The Aces, which were purchased by new owners and moved from Orange County, begin their inaugural season July 7.

"I had a decent-sized hand in getting a team to Austin, where the Davis Cup was so successful from a tennis market back in 2011," Roddick said during a conference call with reporters Wednesday. He played in the 2011 Davis Cup quarterfinals in Austin against Spain. The USA lost 3-1.

"All the pieces fit. We have an enthusiastic owner with Lorne Abony, a team that needed to be moved and we had players that were interested in coming to Austin, so it seemed like a natural fit."

Venus Williams also has joined the World Team Tennis ownership group.

Another change this season will bring more exposure to the seven-team league. This week World TeamTennis announced a multiyear deal with ESPN. As part of the deal, the finals will be broadcast on ESPN2 on July 27 in addition to 60 hours of programming on ESPN3.

As a minority owner, Roddick now is more in tune with off-court matters that may affect the team and the league.

"I'm pretty up to date on the business end of what's going on with Austin," he said. "The feedback so far has been really cool. Even when I've been walking around Austin, people are already saying they're excited to come watch the Aces, which is a great thing. Now it's up to us to have a great product on court."

Joining Roddick on the Aces are 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli, Vera Zvonareva and Eva Hrdinova.

"On paper, our team is very, very good and I think it is ready to challenge for a title this year," Roddick said. "Now we have to make that reality and it is our job to maintain the fans' interest."

The league opens its 39th season July 6. The Washington Kastles are the three-time defending champions with Williams, Martina Hingis and Sloane Stephens on the roster.