With its 34th win Tuesday night, the Kastles\' streak surpassed that of the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that previously held the record with 33 consecutive wins during the 1971-72 season.
Leander Paes, mark Ein Washington Kastles' Leander Paes, left, of India, celebrates with owner Mark Ein, right, after they beat the Boston Lobsters for their 34th straight win in a World Team Tennis match, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Leander Paes, Bobby Reynolds Washington Kastles' Leander Paes, left, of India, lifts up and celebrates with Bobby Reynolds, right, after they won a World Team Tennis men's doubles match against the Boston Lobsters' Eric Butorac and Amir Weintraub, of Israel, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
The Kastles hold the longest winning streak in American pro sports. (WTOP/Scott Zlotnick)
WTOP/Scott Zlotnick
Kastles Coach Murphy Jensen is seen with Leander Paes, the team captain. (WTOP/Scott Zlotnick)
WTOP/Scott Zlotnick
The Kastles hold the longest winning streak in American pro sports. (WTOP/Scott Zlotnick)
WTOP/Scott Zlotnick
The Kastles hold up a banner announcing the team's 34th win. (WTOP/Dillon Mullan)
WTOP/Dillon Mullan
Martina Hingis Washington Kastles' Martina Hingis, of Switzerland, reacts during a World Team Tennis women's doubles match against the Boston Lobsters, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Martina Hingis Washington Kastles' Martina Hingis, of Switzerland, returns a shot against the Boston Lobsters' Jill Craybas during a World Team Tennis women's singles match, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Leander Paes, Martina Hingis Washington Kastles' Leander Paes, left, of India, celebrates with Martina Hingis, right, of Switzerland, after they won a World Team Tennis mixed doubles match against the Boston Lobsters, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Leander Paes, Martina Hingis Washington Kastles' Leander Paes, left, of India, picks up and celebrates with Martina Hingis, right, of Switzerland, after they won a World Team Tennis mixed doubles match against the Boston Lobsters, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Kevin Anderson Washington Kastles' Kevin Anderson, of South Africa, pumps his fist during a World Team Tennis men's singles match against Boston Lobsters' Amir Weintraub, of Israel, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Murphy Jensen, Bobby Reynolds Washington Kastles' Bobby Reynolds, left, and coach Murphy Jensen, right, celebrate after they beat the Boston Lobsters for their 34th straight win in a World Team Tennis match, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Martina Hingis Washington Kastles' Martina Hingis, of Switzerland, returns the ball during a World Team Tennis women's doubles match against Boston Lobsters' Jill Craybas and Katalin Marosi, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Jill Craybas Boston Lobsters' Jill Craybas returns the ball during a World Team Tennis women's' doubles match against the Washington Kastles' Martina Hingis, of Switzerland, and Anastasia Rodionova, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Leander Paes, Martina Hingis Washington Kastles' Leander Paes, left, of India, picks up and celebrates with Martina Hingis, right, of Switzerland, after they won a World Team Tennis mixed doubles match against the Boston Lobsters, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Martina Hingis, Anastasia Rodionova Washington Kastles' Martina Hingis, right, of Switzerland, reacts with Anastasia Rodionova, of Russia, after they won a women's doubles World Team Tennis match against the Boston Lobsters' Katalin Marosi and Jill Craybas, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Anastasia Rodionova Washington Kastles' Anastasia Rodionova, of Russia, reaches for the ball during a World Team Tennis women's doubles match against the Boston Lobsters' Boston Lobsters' Jill Craybas and Katalin Marosi, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
WASHINGTON – It’s the best performing team in Washington, but many residents haven’t heard of it.
The Washington Kastles professional tennis team now has the longest winning streak in the history of American professional sports.
With its 34th win Tuesday night, the Kastles’ streak surpassed that of the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that previously held the record with 33 consecutive wins during the 1971-72 season.
The milestone came after the Kastles beat the Boston Lobsters 25-12.
“When I started here, in our first match, I really got into this mantra where we were playing for perfect every night, and goddangit we’ve come pretty close,” said Coach Murphy Jensen after Tuesday night’s match.
“In the D.C. community, everyone is a Kastles fan because we are a winning franchise in the D.C. community that people are looking at like, ‘Look how they are running their business. Look how they are running their franchise.'”
One fan in particular who attended Tuesday’s record-breaking match said he believed Jensen has been key to the team’s success.
“I think Murphy’s been phenomenal and has been so important to the team. Being able to bring everyone together, whether they’re new or old to the team, and being able to make them part of the family from the get-go,” said Michael Coe of D.C.
As the wins increase, so does the celebrity presence. When the Kastles tied the record of 33 wins with a 23-15 victory over the New York Sportimes Monday, first lady Michelle Obama was in the stands. Kastles’ star Venus Williams, derailed by injury, also cheered on her teammates.
“It’s the best ticket in town. I mean, even in the nosebleeds, you’re what — 10, 12 rows back? Perfect night, perfect weather. And I mean, you’re watching an undefeated team here. It’s fantastic,” said Jason Rocco of Alexandria after the Kastles tied the Lakers’ record Monday night.
Martina Hingis, replacing Williams on the court, is leading the team to what could be its third league championship.
“You don’t win alone, it’s the team. When Kevin (Anderson) started off the set so well, you just try to go with the momentum and play your best tennis. It’s a great team to work with and be on,” said Hingis following the 34th win.
“It makes it a lot easier. You feel like you’re not alone.”
The Kastles’ next match is against the Springfield Lasers at 7 p.m. Thursday at The Wharf.
Longest winning streaks in major U.S. pro sports history:
