DC’s Forgotten Dynasty
When you think about historic win streaks, you may think of the 1971 Lakers, the “Moneyball” Athletic’s, or the 2003 New England Patriots. But what about the 2013 Washington Kastles? Would you believe me if I told you that, of those four historic teams and their winning streaks, it was the final team from our nation’s capital whose streak was the longest?
The Kastles of World Team Tennis hold the record for the most consecutive wins of any professional sports team—an achievement they accomplished without a permanent stadium! During their remarkable streak, the Kastles played at a temporary outdoor arena along the Wharf—hardly a venue built for champions. When Kastles Stadium at the Wharf was dismantled, the team needed a new home. For this historic team, there was only one place that fit the bill: The George Washington University’s Charles E. Smith Center.
To fully understand how this fascinating stat connects to the University, let’s break it down. World Team Tennis (WTT) was founded over 50 years ago, in the 1970s—a period marked by constant experimentation and innovation in sports leagues. Established in 1973 by a group of lawyers and sports owners, many of whom had experience with the World Hockey Association, WTT brought a fresh and dynamic approach to professional tennis.
The early days of the WTT perfectly encapsulated the quirks and experimentation of sports in the 1970s and 80s. On the men’s side, rosters were assembled by a unique trio: sports owner Dr. Leonard Bloom—who also coached his San Diego Conquistadors—NBA champion Wilt Chamberlain, and tennis legend Arthur Ashe, who was at the peak of his career. Meanwhile, the women’s rosters were managed entirely by Billie Jean King. Operating solo, King—also in her prime—used this opportunity with the WTT as a stepping stone into what would become a groundbreaking career in sports ownership.
The opening five years of the WTT were marked by significant instability among its teams. Between 1974 and 1978, only five franchises managed to stay in the same location for at least four years, while ten teams never played a single match. The fledgling league introduced teams with quirky names like the Boston Lobsters, Florida Flamingos, Pittsburgh Triangles, and Hawaii Leis. The Philadelphia Freedoms even had a theme song written by Billie Jean King’s close friend Elton John—aptly titled “Philadelphia Freedom”—which soared to number one on the Billboard charts in 1975.
One of the most intriguing early teams was “The Soviets,” who, true to their name, represented the Soviet Union. They played only five games in 1977, going 4-1, and had to play every match on the road—including one in Plains, Georgia, President Jimmy Carter’s hometown of just 680 people. At a time when the Soviets were cast as villains in countless movies, this team improbably became underdogs. Representing a nation where only 45,000 people played tennis at the time, they foreshadowed the Soviet Union’s eventual revolutionizing of the sport.
Despite the chaos, the league wasn’t devoid of notable successes. The WTT in the 1970s marked the first foray into sports ownership for two future legends: Bob Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, and Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings.
After folding in 1978, Billie Jean King—now retired from competitive tennis—spearheaded an effort to breathe new life into the WTT. King deserves much of the credit for the league’s eventual success, not only for her dual role as a player and organizer but also for her commitment to legitimizing the league. Under her leadership, the WTT became the first sports league where men and women competed on equal footing. Teams consisted of men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. The matches were fast-paced, with each event consisting of just one set, played to five games with a nine-point tiebreaker and no advantage scoring.
The WTT’s momentum waned in the 1980s and 1990s, amid multiple rebrandings. Yet one man’s dedication kept the league alive: Washington Kastles owner Mark Ein. A lifelong tennis enthusiast and founder of Kastle Systems, Ein established the Kastles in 2008, initially playing at the Washington Convention Center. The team quickly became a dominant force. After a middling 7-7 season in 2009, they won their first King Trophy. After missing the playoffs in 2010, the Kastles went on an unprecedented run, winning five consecutive championships. In both 2011 and 2012, they achieved perfect 16-0 seasons while playing in their temporary stadium on the Wharf. They became the first U.S. sports team to record back-to-back undefeated seasons. By winning their first two games of 2013, the Kastles set the record for the longest winning streak in American professional sports at 34 games. Jeanie Buss, a former executive for the Los Angeles Strings, even congratulated the team, completing a poetic full-circle moment for the league.
After their remarkable 2013 season, the Kastles sought a permanent home, and they found it at George Washington University’s Charles E. Smith Center. This iconic venue hosted some of the sport’s biggest stars, including Venus Williams, Nick Kyrgios, and a young, promising local talent named Frances Tiafoe. Leander Paes, a doubles legend and a key player for the Kastles, added excitement—and occasional drama—to the team, including a memorable on-court spat with John McEnroe during a WTT match.
Mark Ein further solidified his commitment to the league by purchasing the WTT in 2017. Although the nature of the purchase raised some eyebrows, the Kastles’ legacy continued to thrive. After the 2018 season, the team relocated from the Smith Center to a rooftop venue at Union Market. While the league held on through the 2020 season, it paused operations in 2021 with promises to return in 2023—a promise that remains unfulfilled. Today, the WTT lingers in limbo, its future uncertain.
What remains indisputable, however, is that George Washington University’s beloved Smith Center was once home to one of the greatest sports dynasties in Washington, D.C.’s history. The Kastles’ unparalleled run, their star-studded roster, and their deep connection to the city leave behind a legacy that will forever resonate on campus.