USTA Metro Region Update: May/June 2013
USTA Metro participates in National Meeting, Regional Winners Named
By Mark McIntyre USTA Eastern Vice President
New York City Mayor David Dinkins received the Samuel Hardy Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Awards Luncheon on March 16, during the USTA’s Annual Meeting in Westin, Fla. The Award is given each year to a USTA volunteer in recognition of long and outstanding service to tennis. Mayor Dinkins joins Elaine Viebranz, the 2004 recipient, among other illustrious USTA Eastern recipients since 1953.
Lewis "Skip" Hartman received the NJTL Founders Service Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. Skip founded the New York chapter of the NJTL, which continues to be the largest chapter in the country. Skip received a lengthy standing ovation following a very moving, and at times, very funny, speech.
Skip Hartman was honored with the NJTL Founders Service Award (photo credit: Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA)
A Message From USTA Metro Region President Jackie Clark
As USTA Eastern Metro Region president and a member of the National Membership Services Committee, I had the opportunity to participate in the USTA Annual Meeting and Conference. What an amazing experience it was to meet and share ideas with such a diverse group of people from across the country from each of the USTA’s 17 Sections who share the same passion for tennis that I do. As the goal is to grow participation in tennis, it was very evident that working collaboratively and listening and learning from one another would be a major factor in growing the game. Aside from the Membership Services Committee Meeting, I was able to attend many other workshops and meetings that included NJTL, Diversity and Inclusion, Junior Competition, Sport Science, JTT, 10 & Under Tennis, and Adult Competition. It was incredible to be a part of this event and to meet and work alongside so many dedicated and talented individuals. Participating in the Section Showdown Tennis Tournament was also so much fun and having the opportunity to represent Team Eastern was quite an honor!
USTA Metro Region President Jackie Clark and USTA Eastern Long Island Region President Daniel Burgess in Westin, Fla.
NYJTL President and CEO Deborah Antoine, USTA Southern Region President Fran Osei, USTA Metro Region President Jackie Clark, and USTA Eastern Secretary and Sportime CEO Claude Okin
Battle of the Boroughs Tennis Challenge
City Parks Foundation is proud to announce the inaugural launch of its Battle of the Boroughs Tennis Challenge. Tennis players from all five boroughs will have the opportunity to compete with one another as well as vie for neighborhood pride in their borough all while contributing to the nonprofit City Parks Foundation’s youth tennis program. USTA Eastern and City Parks Foundation are teaming up to present The Battle of the Boroughs Tennis Challenge, a new adult recreational tournament to be held in May and June in New York City parks. The tournament will feature the best of team competition and neighborhood pride, and support CityParks Tennis, which provides free tennis lessons and activities for children at 40 parks citywide.
“We are so excited about the Battle of the Boroughs Tennis Challenge,” said Jenny Schnitzer, assistant executive director of USTA Eastern. “The event will showcase some of the best adult tennis players in New York City’s parks, and help create opportunities for children of all ages to learn the sport of a lifetime.”
Adult teams of up to 10 players, 19-years-old and up, will compete against other teams in their borough before earning a slot in the citywide championship held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. on June 15. Registration is $20 per person, and proceeds will support City Parks Foundation’s free youth tennis programs in all five boroughs.
"This is a fun new opportunity for adult players in our parks to get together for a friendly competition representing their own neighborhoods and boroughs," said Mike Silverman, director of sports for City Parks Foundation. "We hope this will grow into an annual event that helps support CPF’s free youth tennis instruction provided to over 7,000 players each year."
Borough Challenges will take place at the following locations:
++Crotona Park, Bronx: Saturday, May 11
++Riverside Park, Manhattan: Saturday, May 11
++Flushing Meadows, Queens: Saturday, May 11
++College of Staten Island, Staten Island: Saturday, May 11
++Prospect Park, Brooklyn: Saturday, June 1
Citywide Championship will take place Saturday, June 15 at Flushing Meadows, Queens.
To learn more and to register for the 2013 Battle of the Boroughs Tennis Challenge, visit http://eastern.usta.com/boroughs.
Tennis in New York
First Annual New York Open at Forest Hills July 4-7
The New York Open will be the first and only tennis tournament to offer New Yorkers a unique opportunity to express their passion for tennis by competing for New York’s “Golden Apple” Award and earning recognition as one of New York’s best tennis players. Former Mayor David N. Dinkins will serve as honorary chairman of the event. The mission of the New York Open is to offer a true open tournament that promotes tennis in New York City by providing a unique platform for players, and the highest-quality fan experience. The format will include Men’s and Women’s Open Singles and Doubles. Prize money will be offered.
The organizer of the New York Open at Forest Hills is Tennis in New York Inc., a not-for-profit founded by Dale G. Caldwell, former president of USTA Eastern. Tennis in New York was established to promote tennis and preserve its history in New York. The organization will also support New York tennis programs offered to “at risk” youth.
In addition to tennis, The New York Open at Forest Hills will feature a Four-Day Tennis Festival that will include jazz, film, and others family-friendly highlights.
Schedule of events
►Opening Day (July 4th) Play begins at 10:00 a.m.; New York Open Jazz Festival; New York Book Festival; New York Open Family Fun Festival; Player, VIP & Club Member Cocktail reception.
►Day 2 (July 5) Play continues; New York Open Family Fun Festival continues
►Day 3 (July 6) Play continues; David Dinkins Family Day; New York Open Film Festival; New York Open Book Festival, New York Open Family Fun Festival; New York Open Jazz Festival
►Day 4 (July 7) “Breakfast at Wimbledon” viewing of Wimbledon Finals on large-screen TV, served up with traditional British strawberries and cream, followed by the New York Open Men’s & Women’s Finals. New York Open Family Fun Festival; New York Open Fashion Show.
The West Side Tennis Club at Forest Hills was the original home of the U.S. Open. This Grand Slam event was played at Forest Hills from 1968-1977—when it moved to Flushing Meadows. Currently celebrating its 100th anniversary in Forest Hills, other moments from the Club’s historic past include:
►Arthur Ashe broke the color barrier and won the first U.S. Open at Forest Hills in 1968
►Billie Jean King became the first American woman to win the U.S. Open at Forest Hills
►Iconic American tennis champion Chrissie Evert played her debut match at Forest Hills.
