When she was five-years-old, Athina Schlepphorst’s parents signed her up for a summer camp in her native England. It was a way for her to stay active in the summer and try new things, but it also turned out to be the launching pad for her to find her passion. The camp included many different…
When New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) was founded more than 50 years ago, the brainchild of Arthur Ashe and Skip Hartman, two pillars of the New York City tennis community, the goal was simple: develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the…
Earning a Gold Ball at the USTA Championships is a milestone that any junior tennis player from the United States aims to reach. And last summer, Brooklyn native Joshua Dolinsky headed down to Alabama in search of just that at the USTA Clay Court Championships. But instead of coming home with just one Gold Ball,…
The beauty of tennis is that it holds a lot more importance and can have a greater impact than just forehands and backhands, and wins and losses. Being a tennis player allows one to become part of a community with people of shared interests, and oftentimes bridges gaps. For Mariia Vainshtein, moving from war-torn Ukraine…
Weeks after the “Little Mo” Internationals graced the courts in New Jersey, top juniors arrived at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx to compete in the “Little Mo” Regionals. “The Northeast is an ideal setting for our ‘Little Mo’ Internationals and North Regionals. Since the events take place during the…
Pressure in tennis is unavoidable. It shows up in the form of break points, tie-breakers, deciding sets, and match points. For some players, this constant pressure feels like a threat. For others, it’s an invitation to rise to the occasion. However, the difference between these players doesn’t lie in talent or technique, but instead lies…
Last season, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Girls’ Individual Tennis Championships were held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens for the first time in the tournament’s history. It presented a unique opportunity for deserving high school tennis players who qualified, which included the doubles duo…
Last year, Vlada Hranchar accomplished one of the great feats in junior tennis. The eight-year-old from Florida won all three “Little Mo” International events to win the “Little Mo” Slam in the Girls’ 8s singles division. By winning the three events, first in Colorado Springs in July, the second in West Orange, New Jersey at…
Essential Strategies and Techniques Strong transition skills can turn the tide of any junior tennis match. Moving smoothly from the baseline to the net or quickly changing gears can catch opponents off guard. For young players, mastering this part of the game isn’t just about scoring points it shapes their overall development. The better your…
Throughout life, there are certain gifts we receive from family and friends that seem to have a lasting impact on our lives. That is what happened after Natalie Chelico’s aunt gave her a Hello Kitty Wilson tennis racquet when she was two-years-old, and ever since, Natalie has spent as much time as she possibly can…
