Category: The Racket

The Hartman Cup Has Arrived

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The Hartman Cup is upon us. The annual three-week, year-end tournament brings to a close the Winter Early Morning Program (WEMP) after 20 weeks of teaching tennis skills to youth from across the city.

This year the Hartman Cup concludes the last weekend of March, with semi-finals on the 28th and Finals and Awards’ presentations on the 29th, at the U.S.T.A. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

WEMP traditionally runs from the beginning of November through the end of March each year.

While kids and teens take part in two other tournaments during the Winter Early Morning Program, the Hartman Cup, for many players, introduces them to a two-day competition, which can result in advancement or elimination at the end of a preliminary early round.

Once the top four players from the eight divisions are chosen, they then compete in a single elimination showdown to determine the Champion.

What also sets the Hartman Cup apart is that in addition to the singles’ competition, players who advance through various rounds in the tournament also accumulate points for their “teams”; the team with the most points wins the Hartman Cup.

Over the years, the Hartman Cup has drawn between 100 and 150 participants, and concludes with an exciting breakfast and Awards Ceremony in which top finishers in each of the 10 groupings receive trophies.

And, there actually is a Hartman Cup trophy that is presented to the winning team.

NYJTL Student Meets Tennis Idol at BNP Paribas Showdown

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Srinath Mahankali and Gabriela Sabatini at the BNP Paribas Showdown

NYJTL student Srinath Mahankali was thrilled to meet one of his tennis idols, Gabriela Sabatini, at the BNP Paribas Showdown on March 10 at Madison Square Garden.

The USTA Foundation, which is the official charity partner of the 2015 BNP Paribas Showdown, recognized outstanding NJTL participants on court between the matches before an audience of more than 15,000 fans. Mahankali, who is in the sixth grade and who is a member of NYJTL’s Advanced Tournament Team, was a national winner of the Arthur Ashe Essay contest sponsored by the USTA.

Mahankali represented NYJTL and discussed the enormous impact the program has had on helping him to become an outstanding student and athlete.  “The discipline, endurance and focus needed to succeed in tennis has really helped me to become a better student by applying those qualities to my school work”, said Mahankali.

The new chairman of the USTA Foundation is former top 10 ATP professional James Blake, who is a product of NJTL, and who praised the efforts on and off the court, of the NJTL students.

Winter Tennis Heats Up with Presidents’ Week Doubles

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Shawn Yon

The snow that blanketed New York City last Tuesday morning couldn’t stop nearly 50 excited youngsters from trekking to the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club for the first day of NYJTL’s Presidents’ Week Doubles tournament.

A total of 112 boys and girls, ages 9 to 18, from all across the city competed over the course of this three-day event, which was held during schools’ mid-winter break. Each morning began at 6:30am with registration periods that NYJTL Community Tennis Programs Manager, Scott Daly, called “organized chaos.”  After registration kids hit the courts each playing between four and six games in a round robin format. After several hours of fun competition, the pairs who accumulated the most points in their groups were awarded winners’ medals.

For Shawn Yon, whose son – also named Shawn – competed in the 9- and 10-year-old division, his enjoyment of the game is the most important thing.  “Shawn loves the NYJTL program,” he said. “The coaches are great and they push him to get better. He’s fallen in love with tennis.”

Waking up early to play tennis is nothing new for these kids.  They’re up before dawn every Saturday and Sunday morning to participate in NYJTL’s 20-week Winter Program at indoor venues throughout the city.

Presidents’ Week Doubles is one of 80 special events that the Community Tennis Programs will hold in 2015.

For pictures of this event, and more, please see our Media Gallery.

Looking Forward To An Exciting Year!

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Our children dream big, and so do we. Thanks to your support over the last year, New York Junior Tennis & Learning was able to give the gift of character to many more children.

Our students endeavor to go to college, start careers, and enjoy life on and off the court. At the end of the year, we told you the story of 12-year-old Lonnie, who we presented with the Irwin Askenase Sportsmanship Award for his determination, moral character and teamwork.

Lonnie dreams of going to Stanford University – and because of your outpouring of support, his dreams seem much more within reach.

As we look back on a successful year, we also look ahead. In just a few months we will reach a milestone in our history – one that will broaden our reach and impact. It’s a monumental achievement – and there are many people to thank in the months ahead.

What this all means is that you are helping to grow young women and men with strong values who will go on to make real contributions in their communities and the world. So, on behalf of our Board, staff and volunteers, I want to start this season off by saying “Thank you!”

Deborah Antoine
President and CEO

 

 

 

 

NYJTL Places 2nd At This Year’s NJTL Winter Invitational

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NYJTL’s Tournament Team was invited to participate in the NJTL Winter Invitational this past weekend. The event comprised of educational workshops, community service and competitive matches. Out of the seven teams that competed, NYJTL came in 2nd Place in the Team Event.1501301_828537123880481_7690862177467621247_o

The team comprised of the following participants:

Shruti Kanna (Girls 14’s)

Isabel Balilo (Girls 16’s)

Zorriana Johnson (Girls 18’s)

Donovan Brown (Boys 14’s) – Won (Singles Event)

Christopher Tham (Boys 16’s)

Jeffrey McCready (Boys 18’s) – Came in Second (Singles Event)

The team was led by Victor Caraballo and chaperoned by Ingrid Caraballo.

A special thanks to Lance Lee and the staff/coaches of Legacy Youth Tennis and Education for hosting the event and to the USTA Foundation and USTA Middle States for sponsoring the event (tournament, college coach meetings, clinic volunteering and more).

To see more pictures from this awesome event click here: http://on.fb.me/1EReK6O