2014 San Diego Aviators season


The 2014 San Diego Aviators season was the 20th season of the franchise in World TeamTennis and its first playing in San Diego, California.
The Aviators went from having the worst record in WTT in 2013, to the league's best record in 2014. The team made the playoffs for the first time in two years and finished first in its conference for the first time in four years. The Aviators were led by Daniela Hantuchová who was named WTT Female Most Valuable Player and Somdev Devvarman who was named WTT Male Rookie of the Year. David Macpherson, coach of the Aviators, was recognized as WTT Coach of the Year. The Aviators hosted the Springfield Lasers in the Western Conference Championship Match in the first postseason home match for the franchise in four years. The Lasers defeated the Aviators, 22–17, to end the season for San Diego.

Season recap

Relocation to San Diego

On January 15, 2014, Claude Okin, CEO of the New York Sportimes announced that the franchise had been sold to businessman Russell Geyser and his minority partner Jack McGrory, and the team would be relocated to San Diego, California and renamed the San Diego Aviators. Okin said, "This is a bittersweet event for me personally. I am very glad to have found a motivated and able new owner for the franchise: a person who will be able to re-imagine it in another great tennis town—but I will miss my team." Geyser said that the team's new name was chosen "to be evocative of San Diego’s long storied history of military and commercial aviation."
In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Aviators disclosed a private placement seeking equity financing in the amount of US$900,000. The team was expected to net $860,000 after a broker's commission paid to Sandlapper Securities.

Trade for the Bryan Brothers

The Aviators' first move after relocating to San Diego was to hire David Macpherson as their coach. Macpherson immediately set to work recruiting players to fill the Aviators' roster while he was in Melbourne coaching Bob and Mike Bryan at the 2014 Australian Open. Since Macperson was the Bryan Brothers' coach, there was little doubt he was persuading them to play in WTT in San Diego. It didn't take long for Macpherson to convince the Bryans. However, the Texas Wild had the right to protect and draft them. Within a few days, on January 23, 2014, the Aviators acquired the Bryan Brothers in a trade with the Wild in exchange for undisclosed financial consideration. After the trade, Mike Bryan said, "Growing up in California, we know that San Diego is a great tennis town and we are excited to play in front of the fans, family and friends." Bob Bryan added, "We have always loved playing Mylan World TeamTennis. The competition is very tough and every point is huge. It’s fast-paced and intense, and we love playing with that type of energy. We want to win for our city and our teammates. So we can’t wait for the Aviators' season to start."

Drafts

With the Sportimes finishing with WTT's worst record in 2013, the Aviators had the top pick in each round of both WTT drafts. With the first overall selection in the marquee player draft, the Aviators chose Bob and Mike Bryan whom they had protected as a doubles team. Thus, the identical twins simultaneously became the first players who could call themselves San Diego Aviators. With the first pick in the second round of the marquee player draft, the Aviators selected Daniela Hantuchová who committed to playing in WTT full-time for the 2014 season. The Aviators protected Květa Peschke, making her the only holdover player from the 2013 Sportimes on the 2014 Aviators' roster. With the first pick in the first round of the roster player draft, the Aviators selected Somdev Devvarman. They used their second round choice for Raven Klaasen. With Hantuchová committed to playing full-time, the Aviators knew they did not need all four of their picks in the roster draft. They also knew they could wait until the fourth round to take Peschke whom they had protected. So, the Aviators traded their third round pick to the Springfield Lasers in exchange for the Lasers' fourth round pick and cash consideration. The Lasers used the pick they acquired from the Aviators to select Michael Russell. Russell went on to have the highest winning percentage in men's singles in WTT in 2014. He also won the opening set of men's singles in the Western Conference Championship Match against the Aviators and paired with Ross Hutchins to serve out the match against the Bryan Brothers and eliminate the Aviators. The Aviators used their fourth round pick to draft Peschke and passed on the fourth round pick that they acquired in the trade with the Lasers, since their roster was full.

Debut in San Diego

The Aviators played their home matches during their first season in San Diego at the Valley View Casino Center. The Aviators' inaugural match was a 23–11 home victory over the Austin Aces on July 7, 2014. Somdev Devvarman opened the match with a 5–2 set win in men's singles over Andy Roddick. Vera Zvonareva beat Daniela Hantuchová, 5–3, in women's singles to cut the Aviators' lead to 8–7. Raven Klaasen and Květa Peschke followed with a 5–2 set win in mixed doubles over Roddick and Zvonareva to extend the Aviators' lead to 13–9. A 5–2 women's doubles set win by Hantuchová and Peschke over Eva Hrdinová and Zvonareva gave the Aviators an 18–11 lead heading to the final set. Devvarman and Klaasen dominated Roddick and Treat Huey, 5–0, in men's doubles to close out the match and give the Aviators a 23–11 victory.

Aviators snap Kastles' winning streak

In their seventh match of the season, the Aviators faced a major test on the road against the three-time defending WTT Champion Washington Kastles who were riding an 18-match regular-season and playoff winning streak. The Aviators proved themselves up to the task by taking four of the five sets and handing the Kastles their first loss of the season, 22–18. The Aviators got set wins from Somdev Devvarman, Daniela Hantuchová and Květa Peschke, Hantuchová and Devvarman and Raven Klaasen. The Aviators improved their record to 5 wins and 2 losses with the victory.

Successful road trip

In their 11th match of the season, the Aviators completed a six-match road trip against the Austin Aces with a victory to give themselves a record of 4 wins and 2 losses on the trip. With just three home matches remaining after this one, this victory was the start of a four-match winning streak with which the Aviators ended the regular season. The Aviators won four of the five sets in this match led by Somdev Devvarman, Devvarman and Raven Klaasen, Daniela Hantuchová and Květa Peschke and Hantuchová.

Clinching a postseason home match

On July 20, the Aviators defeated the Springfield Lasers, 21–15, to improve their record to 8 wins and 4 losses. The Aviators got set wins from Květa Peschke and Daniela Hantuchová, Mike Bryan and Peschke, Hantuchová and Bob and Mike Bryan. Later that evening, the Aviators clinched a playoff berth and home-court advantage for the Western Conference Championship Match when the Austin Aces defeated the Texas Wild, 22–16.

Best record in WTT

In their final regular-season match, the Aviators defeated the Austin Aces, 22–12, at Valley View Casino Center to give them the best regular-season record in WTT in 2014. The Aviators and Washington Kastles both finished the season with 10 wins and 4 losses, but the Aviators won the only regular-season meeting between the teams, giving them a tiebreaker edge. The Aviators won four of the five sets in the match against the Aces and were led by Somdev Devvarman, Bob Bryan and Květa Peschke, Daniela Hantuchová and Bob and Mike Bryan. The first-place finish gave the Aviators the opportunity to host their first playoff game for the Western Conference championship.

Playoffs

The Aviators met the defending Western Conference Champion Springfield Lasers at Valley View Casino Center for the Western Conference title on July 24, 2014. Michael Russell got the Lasers started by winning a tiebreaker in the men's singles set against Somdev Devvarman. Květa Peschke and Daniela Hantuchová answered for the Aviators with a tiebreaker win of their own in women's doubles over Olga Govortsova and Līga Dekmeijere to tie the match, 9–9. Bob Bryan and Peschke gave the Aviators a 14–12 lead in the match with a 5–3 set win over Ross Hutchins and Govortsova in mixed doubles. Govortsova dominated Hantuchová, 5–0, to give the Lasers a 17–14 lead heading to the final set. Russell and Hutchins took the men's doubles from Bob and Mike Bryan, 5–3, to secure a 22–17 victory for the Lasers and the Western Conference Championship.

Event chronology

Since the Sportimes had the worst record in WTT in 2013, the Aviators had the first selection in each round of both WTT drafts.

Marquee player draft

The Aviators acquired the rights to Bob and Mike Bryan in a trade with the Texas Wild in exchange for undisclosed financial consideration on January 23, 2014. This allowed the Aviators to protect and select the Bryan Brothers in the marquee player draft. The selections made by the Aviators are shown in the table below.
RoundPlayer chosenNotes
111Bob and Mike BryanYDoubles team
219Daniela HantuchováN

Daniela Hantuchová committed to playing full-time for the Aviators for the 2014 season.

Roster player draft

With Hantuchová committed to playing full-time, the Aviators knew they would not need all four of their draft choices. After making their first two selections, the third player they intended to pick was a protected player which they could choose in the fourth round. This gave the Aviators a valuable third round draft pick which they could trade. The Springfield Lasers had their eyes on an unprotected player and were willing to deal for the Aviators' pick. The Aviators traded the first selection in the third round to the Lasers in exchange for the sixth selection in the fourth round and financial consideration. With the pick they acquired from the Aviators, the Lasers selected Michael Russell. The selections made by the Aviators are shown in the table below.
RoundPlayer chosen
111Somdev DevvarmanN
218Raven KlaasenN
4122Květa PeschkeY
4627Pass

Match log

Regular season

MatchDateVenue and locationResult and detailsRecord
1July 7Valley View Casino Center
San Diego, California
SAN DIEGO AVIATORS 23, Austin Aces 11
  • MS: Somdev Devvarman 5, Andy Roddick 2
  • WS: Vera Zvonareva 5, Daniela Hantuchová 3
  • XD: Raven Klaasen/Květa Peschke 5, Andy Roddick/Vera Zvonareva 2
  • ** Vera Zvonareva substituted for Eva Hrdinová at 2–4
  • WD: Daniela Hantuchová/Květa Peschke 5, Eva Hrdinová/Vera Zvonareva 2
  • MD: Somdev Devvarman/Raven Klaasen 5, Andy Roddick/Treat Huey 0
1–0
2July 8Valley View Casino CenterSan Diego, CaliforniaSAN DIEGO AVIATORS 20, Philadelphia Freedoms 19
  • MS: Somdev Devvarman 5, Frank Dancevic 2
  • WS: Taylor Townsend 5, Daniela Hantuchová 2
  • XD: Marcelo Melo/Liezel Huber 5, Raven Klaasen/Květa Peschke 4
  • WD: Květa Peschke/Daniela Hantuchová 5, Liezel Huber/Taylor Townsend 1
  • MD: Frank Dancevic/Marcelo Melo 5, Raven Klaasen/Somdev Devvarman 3
  • OT – MD: Frank Dancevic/Marcelo Melo 1, Raven Klaasen/Somdev Devvarman 0
  • STB – MD: Raven Klaasen/Somdev Devvarman 7, Frank Dancevic/Marcelo Melo 1
2–0
3July 9Cedar Park CenterCedar Park, TexasAUSTIN ACES 20, San Diego Aviators 18
  • MD: Somdev Devvarman/Raven Klaasen 5, Rick Leach/Andy Roddick 2
  • **Rick Leach substituted for Treat Huey at 2–2
  • MS: Andy Roddick 5, Somdev Devvarman 3
  • XD: Květa Peschke/Raven Klaasen 5, Marion Bartoli/Andy Roddick 3
  • WD: Marion Bartoli/Vera Zvonareva 5, Daniela Hantuchová/Květa Peschke 3
  • WS: Vera Zvonareva 5, Daniela Hantuchová 2
2–1
4July 10Valley View Casino CenterSan Diego, CaliforniaTexas Wild 20, SAN DIEGO AVIATORS 19
  • MS: Alex Bogomolov, Jr. 5, Somdev Devvarman 3
  • WS: Daniela Hantuchová 5, Anabel Medina Garrigues 2
  • XD: Květa Peschke/Raven Klaasen 5, Anabel Medina Garrigues/Aisam Qureshi 4
  • WD: Daniela Hantuchová/Květa Peschke 5, Darija Jurak/Anabel Medina Garrigues 3
  • MD: Alex Bogomolov, Jr./Aisam Qureshi 5, Somdev Devvarman/Raven Klaasen 1
  • STB – MD: Alex Bogomolov, Jr./Aisam Qureshi 7, Somdev Devvarman/Raven Klaasen 6
2–2
5July 12Valley View Casino CenterSan Diego, CaliforniaSAN DIEGO AVIATORS 21, Boston Lobsters 19
  • MS: Rik de Voest 5, Somdev Devvarman 3
  • WS: Coco Vandeweghe 5, Daniela Hantuchová 4
  • MD: Somdev Devvarman/Raven Klaasen 5, Eric Butorac/Rik de Voest 3
  • WD: Daniela Hantuchová/Květa Peschke 5, Megan Moulton-Levy/Coco Vandeweghe 1
  • XD: Megan Moulton-Levy/Eric Butorac 5, Květa Peschke/Raven Klaasen 3
  • OT – XD: Květa Peschke/Raven Klaasen 1, Megan Moulton-Levy/Eric Butorac 0
3–2
6July 13Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las ColinasIrving, TexasSan Diego Aviators 21, TEXAS WILD 18
  • XD: Anabel Medina Garrigues/Aisam Qureshi 5, Květa Peschke/Raven Klaasen 3
  • WD: Darija Jurak/Anabel Medina Garrigues 5, Daniela Hantuchová/Květa Peschke 3
  • MS: Somdev Devvarman 5, Aisam Qureshi 3
  • ** Aisam Qureshi substituted for Alex Bogomolov, Jr. at 3–3
  • WS: Daniela Hantuchová 5, Anabel Medina Garrigues 1
  • MD: Somdev Devvarman/Raven Klaasen 5, Alex Bogomolov, Jr./Aisam Qureshi 4
4–2
7July 14Kastles Stadium at the Charles E. Smith CenterWashington, District of ColumbiaSan Diego Aviators 22, WASHINGTON KASTLES 18
  • MS: Somdev Devvarman 5, Bobby Reynolds 4
  • WD: Daniela Hantuchová/Květa Peschke 5, Anastasia Rodionova/Martina Hingis 3
  • XD: Martina Hingis/Leander Paes 5, Květa Peschke/Raven Klaasen 2
  • WS: Daniela Hantuchová 5, Martina Hingis 2
  • MD: Somdev Devvarman/Raven Klaasen 5, Bobby Reynolds/Leander Paes 4
5–2
8July 15The PavilionRadnor Township, PennsylvaniaPHILADELPHIA FREEDOMS 19, San Diego Aviators 18
  • MD: Somdev Devvarman/Raven Klaasen 5, Frank Dancevic/Marcelo Melo 3
  • WD: Daniela Hantuchová/Květa Peschke 5, Victoria Azarenka/Liezel Huber 1
  • MS: Frank Dancevic 5, Somdev Devvarman 2
  • WS: Victoria Azarenka 5, Daniela Hantuchová 3
  • XD: Victoria Azarenka/Marcelo Melo 5, Květa Peschke/Raven Klaasen 3
5–3
9July 16Boston Lobsters Tennis Center at the Manchester Athletic ClubManchester-by-the-Sea, MassachusettsSan Diego Aviators 20, BOSTON LOBSTERS 15
  • MS: Rik de Voest 5, Somdev Devvarman 2
  • WD: Daniela Hantuchová/Květa Peschke 5, Sharon Fichman/Megan Moulton-Levy 3
  • MD: Somdev Devvarman/Raven Klaasen 5, Eric Butorac/Rik de Voest 2
  • WS: Daniela Hantuchová 5, Sharon Fichman 0
  • XD: Sharon Fichman/Eric Butorac 5, Raven Klaasen/Květa Peschke 2
  • OT – XD: Raven Klaasen/Květa Peschke 1, Sharon Fichman/Eric Butorac 0
6–3
10July 17Mediacom Stadium at Cooper Tennis ComplexSpringfield, MissouriSPRINGFIELD LASERS 19, San Diego Aviators 18
  • MD: Ross Hutchins/Michael Russell 5, Raven Klaasen/Somdev Devvarman 2
  • WD: Daniela Hantuchová/Květa Peschke 5, Olga Govortsova/Raquel Kops-Jones 0
  • XD: Raven Klaasen/Květa Peschke 5, Ross Hutchins/Olga Govortsova 3
  • **Olga Govortsova substituted for Raquel Kops-Jones at 1–2
  • WS: Olga Govortsova 5, Daniela Hantuchová 3
  • MS: Michael Russell 5, Somdev Devvarman 3
  • STB – MS: Michael Russell 7, Somdev Devvarman 2
6–4
11July 19Cedar Park CenterCedar Park, TexasSan Diego Aviators 22, AUSTIN ACES 18
  • MS: Somdev Devvarman 5, Andy Roddick 4
  • MD: Somdev Devvarman/Raven Klaasen 5, Treat Huey/Andy Roddick 4
  • XD: Vera Zvonareva/Treat Huey 5, Květa Peschke/Raven Klaasen 2
  • WD: Daniela Hantuchová/Květa Peschke 5, Marion Bartoli/Vera Zvonareva 2
  • WS: Daniela Hantuchová 5, Vera Zvonareva 3
7–4
12July 20Valley View Casino CenterSan Diego, CaliforniaSAN DIEGO AVIATORS 21, Springfield Lasers 15
  • MS: Michael Russell 5, Somdev Devvarman 1
  • WD: Květa Peschke/Daniela Hantuchová 5, Olga Govortsova/Abigail Spears 3
  • XD: Mike Bryan/Květa Peschke 5, Ross Hutchins/Abigail Spears 4
  • WS: Daniela Hantuchová 5, Olga Govortsova 3
  • MD: Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan 5, Ross Hutchins/Michael Russell 0
8–4
13July 22Valley View Casino CenterSan Diego, CaliforniaSAN DIEGO AVIATORS 22, Texas Wild 13
  • MS: Somdev Devvarman 5, Alex Bogomolov, Jr. 2
  • WD: Anabel Medina Garrigues/Darija Jurak 5, Daniela Hantuchová/Květa Peschke 2
  • XD: Mike Bryan/Květa Peschke 5, Aisam Qureshi/Anabel Medina Garrigues 3
  • WS: Daniela Hantuchová 5, Anabel Medina Garrigues 1
  • MD: Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan 5, Alex Bogomolov, Jr./Aisam Qureshi 2
9–4
14July 23Valley View Casino CenterSan Diego, CaliforniaSAN DIEGO AVIATORS 22, Austin Aces 12
  • MS: Somdev Devvarman 5, Jason Jung 0
  • WD: Eva Hrdinová/Varvara Lepchenko 5, Květa Peschke/Daniela Hantuchová 2
  • XD: Bob Bryan/Květa Peschke 5, Treat Huey/Eva Hrdinová 2
  • WS: Daniela Hantuchová 5, Varvara Lepchenko 3
  • MD: Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan 5, Jason Jung/Treat Huey 2
10–4

Playoffs

;Western Conference Championship Match
DateVenue and locationResult and details
July 24Valley View Casino Center
San Diego, California
Springfield Lasers 22, SAN DIEGO AVIATORS 17
  • MS: Michael Russell 5, Somdev Devvarman 4
  • WD: Květa Peschke/Daniela Hantuchová 5, Olga Govortsova/Līga Dekmeijere 4
  • XD: Bob Bryan/Květa Peschke 5, Ross Hutchins/Olga Govortsova 3
  • WS: Olga Govortsova 5, Daniela Hantuchová 0
  • MD: Michael Russell/Ross Hutchins 5, Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan 3

Team personnel

Reference:

Players and coaches

Players are listed in order of their game-winning percentage provided they played in at least 40% of the Aviators' games in that event, which is the WTT minimum for qualification for league leaders in individual statistical categories.
;Men's singles – regular season
Player
Somdev Devvarman1055253.4959101843.4191430.467
Total1055253.4959101843.4191430.467

;Women's singles – regular season
Player
Daniela Hantuchová1025745.5596161733.5152231.710
Total1025745.5596161733.5152231.710

;Men's doubles – regular season
Player
Somdev Devvarman864739.547631127.4071526.577
Raven Klaasen864739.547381127.4071526.577
Bob Bryan19154.78910412.33347.571
Mike Bryan19154.78900412.33347.571
Total1056243.59010111539.3851933.576

;Women's doubles – regular season
Player
Daniela Hantuchová996039.606352352.4421226.462
Květa Peschke996039.606182352.4421226.462
Total996039.6064132352.4421226.462

;Mixed doubles – regular season
Player
Květa Peschke1125656.500191330.4331630.533
Raven Klaasen884147.46683920.4501123.478
Bob Bryan752.7141012.500331.000
Mike Bryan17107.5882038.37524.500
Total1125656.50012121330.4331630.533

;Team totals – regular season
Event
Men's singles1055253.4959101843.4191430.467
Women's singles1025745.5596161733.5152231.710
Men's doubles1056243.59010111539.3851933.576
Women's doubles996039.6064132352.4421226.462
Mixed doubles1125656.50012121330.4331630.533
Total523287236.549416286197.43783150.553

;Men's singles – playoffs
Player
Somdev Devvarman945.4444104.00013.333
Total945.4444104.00013.333

;Women's singles – playoffs
Player
Daniela Hantuchová505.0000001.00003.000
Total505.0000001.00003.000

;Men's doubles – playoffs
Player
Bob Bryan835.375010000
Mike Bryan835.375200000
Total835.375210000

;Women's doubles – playoffs
Player
Daniela Hantuchová954.55601331.00000
Květa Peschke954.55600331.00000
Total954.55601331.00000

;Mixed doubles – playoffs
Player
Bob Bryan853.6250134.75000
Květa Peschke853.6250034.75000
Total853.6250134.75000

;Team totals – playoffs
Event
Men's singles945.4444104.00013.333
Women's singles505.0000001.00003.000
Men's doubles835.375210000
Women's doubles954.55601331.00000
Mixed doubles853.6250134.75000
Total391722.43664612.50016.167

;Men's singles – all matches
Player
Somdev Devvarman1145658.49113111847.3831533.455
Total1145658.49113111847.3831533.455

;Women's singles – all matches
Player
Daniela Hantuchová1075750.5336161734.5002234.647
Total1075750.5336161734.5002234.647

;Men's doubles – all matches
Player
Somdev Devvarman864739.547631127.4071526.577
Raven Klaasen864739.547381127.4071526.577
Bob Bryan27189.66711412.33347.571
Mike Bryan27189.66720412.33347.571
Total1136548.57512121539.3851933.576

;Women's doubles – all matches
Player
Daniela Hantuchová1086543.602362655.4731226.462
Květa Peschke1086543.602182655.4731226.462
Total1086543.6024142655.4731226.462

;Mixed doubles – all matches
Player
Květa Peschke1206159.508191634.4711630.533
Raven Klaasen884147.46683920.4501123.478
Bob Bryan15105.6671146.667331.000
Mike Bryan17107.5882038.37524.500
Total1206159.50812131634.4711630.533

;Team totals – all matches
Event
Men's singles1145658.49113111847.3831533.455
Women's singles1075750.5336161734.5002234.647
Men's doubles1136548.57512121539.3851933.576
Women's doubles1086543.6024142655.4731226.462
Mixed doubles1206159.50812131634.4711630.533
Total562304258.541476692209.44084156.538

Transactions

The following table shows individual honors bestowed upon players and coaches of the San Diego Aviators in 2014.
Player/CoachAward
Daniela HantuchováFemale Most Valuable Player
Somdev DevvarmanMale Rookie of the Year
David MacphersonCoach of the Year

Somdev Devvarman and Raven Klaasen finished tied for the best regular-season winning percentage in men's doubles in WTT.
Daniela Hantuchová was second in regular-season winning percentage in women's singles.
Hantuchová and Květa Peschke were tied for the third best winning percentage in women's doubles.

Charitable support

During each night of the 2014 season, the WTT team with the most aces received US$1,000 toward a local charity of the team's choice as part of a program called Mylan Aces. In the case of a tie, the award was split accordingly. The Aviators earned $500 for the Greater San Diego and Desert Area Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America through the program.