Tracy Austin in Doubles of Slims Event

Tracy Austin, once the top-ranked player in the world, will return to professional tennis in the $100,000 Virginia Slims of San Diego Aug. 1-7.

After four years of inactivity from tournament play because of recurring back and neck injuries, Austin, 25, a two-time U.S. Open champion, will team with Robin White in the 16-team doubles draw at the San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club.

“I hope to play singles again in the future,” Austin said in a press release. “But for right now, I am starting with doubles to see how I do.

Austin, who lives in Rolling Hills, added: “I chose San Diego because it’s so close to home, and I have a lot of friends here that can come and watch.”

Austin’s last tournament victory occurred in San Diego in July, 1982. Still the youngest player to achieve millionaire status (17 years, 8 months), she will continue her comeback the next week in the Virginia Slims of Los Angeles.

SOCCER

Bill Kentling, commissioner of the Major Indoor Soccer League, said Wednesday he’s confident that the Tacoma Stars will be re-accepted as the seventh member of the league by MISL owners.

That would clear the way for San Diego businessman Ron Fowler to purchase the Sockers and keep them in the MISL. He has said the league would have to have a total of eight teams for him to move forward with his bid for the Sockers.

A group of investors led by Tacoma attorney Jim Manza was to have applied for membership in the league Wednesday but will now have to wait until it gets clearance from the State of Washington Security Commission to go forward.

“The process should be concluded next week,” Kentling said. “We want Tacoma in the Major Indoor Soccer League.”