USTA Metro Region Update: September/October 2013

October 1, 2013 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Jackie_Clark_Pic_1

A Message From USTA Eastern Metro Region President Jackie Clark
As the summer starts winding down, I think about all of the wonderful tennis programs and events that have taken place over the last few months. People of all ages, from beginners to advanced levels, have been getting out on the courts either competing, learning or just playing for fun. Friendships forged on the courts, great exercise, new and renewed passion for a wonderful sport are just a few of the incredible benefits of tennis. Many champions have been crowned as well. Whether it is the U.S. Open champions, tournament players or USTA Metro League teams, a tremendous sense of accomplishment is felt from all of the hard work that is put in throughout the year. For me, this has been an amazing summer of tennis. Being a small part of so much growth and participation of the sport has been incredible. I also have had the opportunity to play on many USTA teams in metro as well as other regions. There is nothing that I love more than being on a team. The camaraderie, friendships, competition and the chance to meet so many men and women of all ages who are just as passionate about tennis as I am. I feel truly blessed and cannot wait for all of the Fall programs to start!

You can find out more about what we are doing in the Metro Region on our Facebook page, under “USTA Eastern Metro Region” or at our Web site, www.metroregion.usta.com.

Sincerely,

Jackie Clark, President
USTA Eastern Metro Region



 

USTA Metro Captains and Battle of the Boroughs Champions Celebrate With the Sportimes
The USTA Metro Region sponsored an event to show appreciation for the hard work that the Metro Region captains do and to celebrate the first Battle of the Boroughs champions.

USTA Metro Captains and Battle of the Boroughs Champions celebrate a night at the New York Sportimes WTT match at Sportime Randall’s Island


USTA Metro Captains with USTA Eastern Metro President Jackie Clark and USTA Tennis Service Representative Esu Ma’at


The 2013 Battle of Boroughs Champs


USTA Eastern Metro President Jackie Clark and Mayor Dinkins



 

Highland Park Reaches for New Heights
By Jose Rodriguez

Highland Park is located in North Brooklyn and Northwest Queens, and is considered the Central Park of North Brooklyn. The park has 13 hard courts with lights, but were in horrible condition. In the spring of 2005, Dion Lachnamen, Al Foster, Hector Henry and a few others armed themselves with a few tennis hoppers, a dozen racquets and a movement was started. It was hard for the members of the Highland Park Tennis Association (HPTA), but they worked feverishly with the kids in the community. In 2013, Highland Park Tennis Association is the hidden jewel of the Metro Region. The tennis program has 220 students and a strong Parents Tennis Association. They concentrate on kids from the ages of five through 18 years, utilizing the Junior Team Tennis (JTT) format, as well as 10 and under tennis, which is the foundation of the HPTA program.

In 2006, the team from HPTA was the 14 & Under Junior Team Tennis Metro Regional Champions, in 2006 took home second place in the Eastern Sectional 14 & Under Division, the 2007 14 & Under Metro Regional Champions, and the 14 & Under Sectional Champions. The HPTA JTT squads took a hiatus until the 2012-2013 season. They came back with a vengeance, when they played in the JTT Metro Winter League, placing four teams in competition and won the 12 & Under Division, the 18 & Under Division and won the Sectional 18 & Under Division, earning them another trip to the Nationals. The HPTA JTT teams have become local celebrities as well, receiving a citation from State Assemblyman Rafael Espinal and awards from State Sen. Martin Malavé Dilan and City Councilmember Erik Martin Dilan. Now that’s tennis!

Credit photos to Jose Rodriguez


New York State Assemblyman Rafael Espinal presents awards to the HPTA Sectional 18 & Under JTT Champions


HPTA’s 10 & Under players pause for a photo



National Tennis Center Plays Host to Annual Liberty Open
By Daniel Arzuaga
Not even scorching heat and the sweltering humidity of a July 4th heat wave could deter 225 eager tennis enthusiasts from flocking to the Liberty Open, an annual tournament held every 4th of July weekend at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The Liberty Open is hosted by Metropolitan Tennis Group (MTG), a USTA Community Tennis Association and proud member of the Gay Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA). Its tournament directors are two dedicated and long-time MTG members, Marsha Silverman and Mark Reiter. The Liberty Open not only draws players from around the United States, but also attracts players from many foreign countries as well. Its world renown status was confirmed this year with representation from Italy, Spain, England and Canada.
The Liberty Open is MTG’s marquee annual event and is also one of the most popular stops on the GLTA world tour. The GLTA circuit is an amalgam of more than 60 different tennis tournaments from all around the globe. The Liberty Open’s unique and defining characteristic is that it is the only GLTA tournament that is played on the same grounds as an ATP/WTA Grand Slam event, the U.S. Open.

“We are thrilled with how the Liberty Open has grown in both size and popularity over the years,” said Tournament Co-Director Mark Reiter. “We began with around 90 players and a handful of playing divisions, and we now have over 200 hundred participants consistently registering every year. We now promote every possible division of play, from beginners to advanced, in doubles, mixed-doubles and singles. Anyone, regardless of tennis experience, can participate in the Liberty Open and enjoy playing competitive tennis at one of the most exciting tennis venues in the world.”

The tournament is spread out over four days and includes a welcome “draw” party, a formal banquet and a wrap up social to crown the event’s winners. “After” parties are also organized to increase camaraderie and friendship amongst all the players.

The Liberty Open is also a fundraising event for charitable causes, including LIGALY (Long Island Gay & Lesbian Youth), a local organization that provides education, advocacy and social support for LGBT youth on Long Island and MCCNY Homes Youth Services, which provides emergency shelter and drop-in services to homeless LGBT youth in NYC. Proceeds for these local charities are generated through raffle sales and from any surplus leftover from the event after all next expenses are paid.

“The Liberty Open has always been about giving back to the community we come from as much as it is about providing a social and competitive forum for tennis to the LGBT community” said Marsha Silverman. “We focus on local organizations that do vital work for our community. Their ability to thrive depends on charitable donations, including those provided by the Liberty Open. We are thrilled to help support these causes.”
The Liberty Open itself is also supported by numerous sponsors include Grand Central Racquet, Subway Restaurants, Vita Coco, Therapy Lounge, Clique Photography and Solfire.

“Our sponsors help defray the costs of entry fees for our registrants,” explained Reiter. “They also help provide fun ‘extras’ that make playing the tournament such a thrilling experience.”

As a registrant myself, I was able to enjoy everything that the Liberty Open had to offer. Even though I lost all my first round matches in singles, doubles and mixed-doubles, I was able to enjoy watching other matches and even practice a little French with my French-Canadian doubles partner. Above all, it was incredible camaraderie and inspiring competition that made my experience such a positive and memorable experience. I’m looking forward to participating again next year and encourage everyone else to play as well.

For more information on the Liberty Open, please visit www.metrotennisgroup.com/libertyopen or contact Mark Reiter by e-mail at markbucky16@aol.com or Marsha Silverman by e-mail at msilver0@aol.com. To learn more about MTG, its year-long events and how to join, please visit
www.metrotennisgroup.com.

Credit photos to Sidnei Beal III/Clique Photography


Mark Reiter and Marsha Silverma, Liberty Open tournament directors, with Sidnei Beal III and Jean Tefort (Liberty Open Outstanding Volunteer Award)


Jon Guerrica in serving position



 

JTT All-Stars Take Part in New York Open Festivities
By Esu Ma’at
The 2013 Junior Team Tennis All-Star competition took place July 5 at the West Side Tennis Club. Intermediate players in the 10U, 12U, 14U and 18U age divisions from the Metro Region competed against their counterparts from the Long Island Region. Metro won all four flights. Medals, t-shirts and other fun prizes were awarded to all participants.

As part of the New York Open festivities, the Junior Team Tennis contestants, dressed in their Wimbledon whites, got a big thrill out of flashing their skills on the same court scores of professional players, past and present, have competed on as well. For more information about participating in Junior Team Tennis please e-mail maat@eastern.usta.com.


 



 

Kings County Tennis League Receives Grant
The Kings County Tennis League’s (KCTL) mission is to use tennis as an instrument for positive mentorship and community building. Equipped with a passion for social justice and portable tennis nets, KCTL literally brings tennis to the children. KCTL serves more than 120 children, ages five through 15, from four public housing developments across Brooklyn. KCTL attracts ethnically- and professionally-diverse volunteers from across New York City to provide these youth with tennis instruction, nutrition education, community building projects, an end-of-season tournament, and a trip to the U.S. Open’s Arthur Ashe Kids Day.

KCTL recently received a USTA Metro Grant to support its Site Leaders, who are responsible for managing the league at each of its four sites. The Site Leaders, in addition to perfecting the forehands and backhands of the KCTL participants, manage the volunteers and tournaments, track data for their respective site, and help create and refine the KCTL curriculum.

Thanks to USTA Metro’s recent grant, the Site Leaders will have enough time to prepare for each lesson, and work in the office to help improve our program.



 

USTA Eastern Metro Section Committee members
Adult Competition Committee
Nelson Kier Committee Chair
Ray Krueger Committee Member
Paul Moss Committee Member
Raj Vaswani Committee Member

Adult League Committee
Deborah-Rose Andrews Committee Vice Chair

Awards Committee
Mark McIntyre Committee Chair
Jackie Clark Committee Member

Budget & Finance Committee
John Klenner Committee Chair
Richard Gordon Committee Member
Jim Rosenthal Committee Member

Charter & Bylaws Committee
Allon Lifshitz Committee Member
Ari Selman Committee Member

Community Development Committee
Joan Apkan Committee Member
Jackie Clark Committee Member
Ron Nano Committee Member
Daisy Schwartz Committee Member

Community Development-Advocacy Committee
Michael McCasland Subcommittee Chair
Elena Bantovska Committee Member
Allon Lifshitz Committee Member
James O’Neill Committee Member

Community Development-Wheelchair Committee
John Hamre Subcommittee Chair
Cheri Peterson Committee Member

Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Daniel Arzuaga Committee Member
Jeffrey Fairbanks Committee Member

Junior Competition Committee
Elena Bantovska Committee Member
Jason Speirs Committee Member

Volunteer Committee
Daisy Schwartz Committee Chair
Charlotte Ganberg Committee Member
Rufaro Makanda Committee Member
Emilia Robinson Committee Member
Pablo Sierra Committee Member
Hadassah Silberstein Committee Member


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Oneononedoubles banner art resize
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition