The stadium was close to full, as 2,755 spectators paid for tickets at prices starting at $45. Primarily corporate-owned box seats ringed the court, which was centered in the rink.
A jazz band played at the pre-game tailgate, and the concession food was supplied by Legal Seafoods—including, cannibalistically, lobster salad.
And, thanks to a traditionally rowdy Boston fans, the Lobsters enjoyed a distinct home-team advantage in the matches.
The WTT format stripped the sport of some of its pedigree, and an announcer bellowed long calls reminiscent of televised Mexican soccer matches and played clips of Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It” between sets. Fan participation is encouraged, and spectators whooped, clapped, and knocked noisemakers together before serves and between points.
Down 4-0 in her singles set, Navratilova played her home court, looking to the crowd and gesturing to solicit cheering.
Everyone, however, seemed to have trouble with Bright’s bright overhead lighting.
“It’s incredibly difficult to track the ball when you’re trying a toss-up on the serve,” Chu said. “You have to trust yourself and your timing.”
The overhead beams weren’t the only blinding lights for Chu, who shared the court with two of his sport’s legends.
“I grew up watching highlight videos of [Navratilova] playing center court at Wimbledon,” Chu said. “She’s as large as the game. It’s a dream come true.”
Chu hasn’t traveled far from last year, when he advanced to the NCAA semifinals wearing Crimson and after playing home matches mere yards from Bright.
“It certainly means a lot to come back and be here, and be with a great organization like the Boston Lobsters,” Chu said.
“This still feels like home,” he added.
After playing from 1974-1978, the Lobsters franchise returned to Boston this year.
Other big names in the league range from contemporary stars like Andy Roddick and 2005 Wimbledon women’s singles champion Venus Williams to legendary warhorses like Boris Becker and John McEnroe.
Last night’s match will be broadcast on delay on ESPN2 on Saturday at 11 p.m.
—Staff writer Samuel C. Scott can be reached at sscott@fas.harvard.edu.