On Opening Night, a Net Success

The topic had been much discussed between father and son. But with the day actually here, it almost slipped Dad's groggy mind early in the morning.

When Daniel Ein awoke at his home in Northwest Washington yesterday, his wife reminded him: bring your T-shirt, black with "Kastles" embroidered on the left sleeve, so you can change into it on your way to the match.

Daniel's son, Mark Ein, would be bringing World TeamTennis to the city later that night with the Washington Kastles' first home match.

The thought consumed Daniel for much of the day while he worked at George Washington University Hospital. He had no doubt that this new venture would be a success. But when he settled into his seat -- Box 69, second row -- at Kastles Stadium, his expectations had been exceeded. For one night, World TeamTennis was the biggest show in the city.

The crowd rose to its feet cheering. Techno music boomed through the speakers. Cheerleaders pumped pompoms. Eighty-seven credentialed media members took their seats. By 7:10 p.m., nearly 2,200 fans in the stadium at 11th and H streets NW were stretching their necks, snapping photos on cellphone cameras and screaming for Kastles headliner Serena Williams.

"I could not have possibly imagined something better than this," team owner Mark Ein said. "Packed stadium, the stadium as good as it is, Serena being here, undefeated record."

At nightfall, fans clogged the streets near the stadium in the shadow of nearby office buildings and hotels. They came from suburbs ranging from Bethesda to Leesburg with their families, friends or business clients. Some had access to the VIP tent, where Chipotle burritos were served. Those outside the gated, white-tent area favored $9 blueberry mojitos and $6 cheeseburgers. Washington Wizards star Caron Butler sat at a table behind the baseline, directly across the court from Mayor Adrian M. Fenty.

The event, in which the Kastles faced the Boston Lobsters, got underway at 8:31 p.m. with men's doubles. But the stadium did not truly come to life until the second match, when Williams took the court. Fans screeched when she started warming up just before her mixed doubles match with teammate Justin Gimelstob.

"She's transcending women's tennis right now, on and off the court," said Ron Fleshman, 38, of Upper Marlboro.

In World TeamTennis, teams typically have one roster spot available for a marquee player. Williams is Washington's draw, even though last night represented her only home match. She will play in the Kastles' next three matches on the road.

"I feel excited to play," Williams said in a news conference before the match. "I've never been so ready to play so fast after such a big tournament. I'm ready and looking forward to having a lot of fun out there tonight."

The night capped a whirlwind stretch for the Williams. Her afternoon was jammed with photo-ops and news media obligations, a busy day coming shortly after a runner-up finish to her sister, Venus, on Saturday at Wimbledon.