It won’t be long before the United States Open Tennis Tournament in various categories makes its annual stop at Flushing Meadow Corona Park in Queens. This will be the time of the year when the crowds gather in this venue and walking around could be tough.
In fact, on Thursday, June 20, the United States Tennis Association, the organization that conducts such a tourney, will stage its ball person tryouts at the USTA National Tennis Center, the site of the US Open. Registration starts at 3:00 p.m., followed by the actual tryouts. Anybody 14 years of age and over are eligible for the tryouts. And to work at the US Open, the fourth stop of the Grand Slam Majors during the calendar year will be at stake.
“We’ll probably take 70 to 80 kids depending on how many (number) come back to us,” said Tina Taps, who works full time at the National Tennis Center, and is the director of the ball person tryouts. “A lot of our kids played in the Mayor’s Cup (at one time), and/ or came from the New York Junior Tennis League year-round program. We look forward to another great crew.”
Meanwhile, at press time, this same New York Junior Tennis League, which actually changed its name to become the New York Junior Tennis and Learning League or program, is conducting its Mayor’s Cup competition broken down into various divisions for the middle school and high school divisions with action in the day time and early evening. The boy’s singles competition started with a draw of 128 player.
Of course, all eyes will be focused on the boy’s singles tournament.
One of the players who tested the courts in the actual Mayor’s Cup competition showcasing the best singles netters and doubles teams in the City of New York, public and private schools, has the ability to go far come during his junior and senior years at Forest Hill High. He has the ability to advance far. He is Jamell Forde, who plays third singles at First Hills High School.
During the same regular season ten got the regular season to go on the courts at the sis he and his teammates at Forest Hills High School at the time.
“It’s fun to play competitive tennis,” Forde said. “It’s my second time playing in the tournament. The courts are vey nice. The tournament draws the best kids in the city.”
Competition in the middle school division and individual categories is very good for the kids to build good character. Players and teams from such schools as Brooklyn Tech, Francis Lewis, Beach Channel, Horace Man, Trinity, Riverdale Cardozo and Stuyvesant have faced and are still facing tough and close competition.
Only teams and players from New York City private and public schools are eligible to compete in such a tournament. Coaches of the teams give their students pointers, and for some, parents are welcomed to watch the matches. At times college coaches come out and look at their future players.
On Sunday afternoon, the winner of both the boys and girls categories will be crowned in front of an anticipated large crowd.
