World TeamTennis, the fan friendly brainchild of Billie Jean King, embarks on its 30th season this July. New attractions for 2005 include a couple of expansion franchises (the Boston Lobsters and Houston Wranglers) and the use of instant replay, which coaches can call upon to challenge line calls. On The Line is once again planning to cover the home matches of the New York Buzz, who have essentially cleaned house after back-to-back disappointing seasons. Doubles specialist Bryanne Stewart is the only returning member of the squad that finished 5-9 last year. Solid lunchpail types Brian Vahaly, Jaymon Crabb, and Evie Dominikovic are scheduled to round out the regular lineup. As always, however, WTT features a handful of big name players in cameo roles. In the case of the Buzz, it will be four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier suiting up for a pair of appearances.

Courier's fitness and tireless determination in long matches earned him the nickname "The Rock" during his years on the ATP circuit. Those qualities might not be as necessary in WTT's loose, fast-paced format, but fans can still expect to see flashes of intensity. "It's definitely competitive, because any time that I step between the lines my pride is on the line and that's important to me," says Courier. He might not garner much crowd support during a July 12th road match against the intra-state rival New York Sportimes, but anticipates a good atmosphere when his Buzz host the Newport Beach Breakers the following night. "It's an intimate venue. I think we have about 2,300 seats in Schenectady, so it's a chance for the fans to really become involved and cheer for the home team."

Courier has stayed busy since retiring from the ATP Tour in 2000. When he's not brandishing candid opinions as a TV commentator, the longtime Davis Cup stalwart sponsors tennis exhibitions through his own sports and entertainment company. One such event recently raised more than $500,000 for the tsunami relief effort. Meanwhile, Courier can still get the job done on the court, having quite a bit of success against his fellow retirees on the euphimistically named Tour of Champions. "My game is pretty good," says Courier. "I've been playing sporadically this season in some exhibitions and some tournaments and keeping myself in shape and hitting the ball well. I feel good about it."

Courier's appearances with the Buzz will come mere days after his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. That honor (shared this year with fellow Grand Slam champions Jana Novotna and Yannick Noah) puts the 34-year-old's career accomplishments into perspective. "For me to be joining the names and legends that are in there, it is a bit overwhelming," Courier says. "I'm not that old. I don't have a ton of time in the rearview mirror from my time on tour, so it's something that I'm appreciating... it's becoming very real." However, "the journey is not completed," as Courier puts it, and he's eager to test himself against the current generation. "I'm not playing on a daily basis like those guys are -- unfortunately, I've got more time constraints. But I love the challenge of going out in front of a crowd and seeing what I can do against these younger players. It should be fun."