Frazier to Rejoin Dukes Tonight

Amy Frazier, a member of the Newport Beach Dukes from 1990-92, will return to the team tonight for their final World TeamTennis home match of the season, against the Minnesota Penguins, team owner Fred Lieberman said Monday.

Frazier replaces Zina Garrison-Jackson, who played five matches for the Dukes (10-0) until leaving Sunday to rejoin the Women’s Tennis Assn. tour. Garrison-Jackson was replacing Manon Bollegraf, who played five matches before going to Germany to participate in the Federation Cup for the Netherlands.

Frazier, ranked 65th by the WTA and named WTT female rookie of the year in 1990, has not played tournament tennis since January, when she decided to take time off to re-evaluate her career. Lieberman said he is happy to have her back.

“She basically carried the Dukes on her back last year,” he said. “When we won our last seven matches, she was brutalizing people.”

Lieberman said Frazier, 20, will play the remaining four regular-season matches. But, Lieberman added, Bollegraf might return for the playoffs, which would begin Aug. 3 or Aug. 6.

Bollegraf re-injured her ankle during the Federation Cup and is receiving treatment.

“Manon is lurking out there,” Lieberman said. “She was, and is, the regular team member.”

If Bollegraf is healthy, Lieberman said Coach Greg Patton will decide whether Bollegraf or Frazier competes in the playoffs.

“All I want to do is win,” Lieberman said. “Whatever it takes.”

Lieberman said all remaining reserved seats for tonight’s 7 p.m. match at the John Wayne Tennis Club are on sale for $6 as a tribute to the Dukes and their fans. Reserved seats normally sell for $14.