Latvian joins Springfield Lasers

(From the Springfield Lasers)

 Springfield Lasers team member and 2014 French Open mixed doubles champion Anna-Lena Groenefeld has announced she will not be able to continue playing Mylan World TeamTennis this season, due to a hip injury.

Groenefeld, 29, from Nordhorn, Germany, played the first two matches of the season before her injury, sustained at Wimbledon, caused her to withdraw for the season. This was to be Groenefeld’s fourth Mylan WTT season, her first with the Lasers. Groenefeld advanced to the women’s doubles quarterfinal at Wimbledon, less than a month after she and partner Jean-Julien Rojer captured the mixed doubles trophy at the French Open. 

Lasers ownership representative Bob Belote said Groenefeld enjoyed her time in Springfield and hopes to be able to play for the Lasers again in the future. 

Liga Dekmeijere, 31, from Riga, Latvia, replaces Groenefeld on the roster. Dekmeijere played Mylan WTT with the Lasers in 2012, substituting for Timea Babos. This will be her fourth season of Mylan WTT, previously with the former St. Louis Aces (2009 and 2010.) She was named Mylan WTT Female Rookie of the Year in 2009.  She has one WTA Doubles title and 19 ITF doubles titles. She is currently ranked No. 235 in doubles, with a career-high No. 54 (2010.)

Dekmeijere plays her 2014 first match with the Lasers tonight in Austin, Texas, facing the Austin Aces. The Lasers return to Springfield Saturday, July 12, with marquee player James Blake. Blake faces longtime rival and friend Andy Roddick in Springfield Sunday, July 13.  Home matches continue July 17, 18 and 23. All home matches are at Mediacom Tennis Stadium, in Cooper Tennis Complex, 2331 E. Pythian, Springfield. Matches begin at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30, with live music 5:30-6:30. Concessions and the VIP Food Center both open at 5:30.

Grandstand tickets are $10 (July 18 and 23) $15 (July 12 and 17) and $20 (July 13.) Box Seat tickets, season tickets and VIP packages are also available. To purchase tickets, call Cooper Tennis Complex at 417-837-5800. 

For more information, visit springfieldlasers.com or look for Springfield Lasers on Facebook or @SGFLasers on Twitter. For more information on Mylan WTT, visitwtt.com.