question: How many years did the team that has a Singles win-Loss of 4-9 and first played before 1999?
answer: SELECT SUM(years_played) FROM table_name_28 WHERE singles_win_loss = "4-9" AND first_year_played < 1999
context: CREATE TABLE table_name_28 (years_played INTEGER, singles_win_loss VARCHAR, first_year_played VARCHAR)