Since World TeamTennis began in the 1970s, Billie Jean King often was approached about setting up shop in the nation’s capital. Well, in a nearby suburb, anyway. Finally, someone came forward with a plan to put a team right smack dab in the heart of downtown D.C. — and that made it a perfect fit, as far as King is concerned.

Maria Sharapova pulled out of next week’s German Open because of an unspecified injury, and Daniela Hantuchova also withdrew from the clay-court tournament. Sharapova, the Australian Open champion, has not played since losing to Serena Williams in the quarterfinals of the Family Circle Cup on April 19.