Roddick returns to court with World Team Tennis

NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) - Andy Roddick is returning to the tennis courts this summer.

Roddick was the first pick by the Springfield, Mo., Lasers in the Mylan World Team Tennis draft on Tuesday.

Sloane Stephens, ranked No. 17 after defeating Serena Williams at the Australian Open, was selected by the Philadelphia Freedoms.

Roddick, who retired after the U.S. Open, says he looks forward to his seventh WTT season and "the fan energy. I love being on a team.''

Venus Williams returns to the defending champion Washington Kastles.

The new WTT team, the Texas Wild, will retain the No. 1 doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan. The former Kansas City squad has relocated to Irving, Texas.

The eight-team league starts July 7, with the winner of the Eastern and Western Conference facing off in the final July 28.