Across Metro Ne National Tennis Center Sets Up Temporary Hospital Site
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center housed a temporary hospital site in an effort by New York City’s emergency management office to increase hospital space in the continued battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indoor Training Facility’s 12 courts were converted into 100,000 square feet of hospital space, with construction set to begin as early as Tuesday. Additionally, Louis Armstrong Stadium became a commissary for the preparation of 25,000 meal packages a day. “It’s an incredibly small part, but it’s the least we can do,” said the National Tennis Center’s Chief Operating Officer Danny Zausner. “Elmhurst Hospital in Queens is a stone’s throw away from the tennis center. For us to be in the local community where our hands are tied, but to support the local community and help take some pressure off of Elmhurst Hospital is a huge thing for us to help out in any way we can.”
Wei Wins Harbor Island Championships Prior to the cancellation of tournaments and events, Jason Wei won one of the final tournaments played as he captured the title at the L5 Harbor Island Championships. Wei, who trains at the Chris Lewit Tennis Academy, won all five of his matches in straight sets to hoist the trophy.
Local Coaches Doing Live Instructional Videos
SPORTIME Coaches Creating Online Challenge During the times of quarantine and social distancing, many people turned to social media to stay connected. Viral challenges became more and more popular, and the coaches at SPORTIME got in on the act. They created their own challenge, “Over the House Challenge”, that requires you to go outside and hit a tennis ball over your home, and then challenge somebody else.
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New York Tennis Magazine • June 2020 • NYTennisMag.com
With the inability to get on court and teach, many coaches in the area have turned to online coaching and instruction during these times of quarantining and social distancing. Instructors at Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning and Roosevelt Island Racquet Club have been hosting live sessions and posting recorded videos on social media with tips and advice for how to continue working on your tennis game. The videos feature instruction from prominent coaches such as Cary Leeds coaches Ahsha Rolle and Liezel Huber, and Roosevelt Island’s Chuck Russell and Bob Ingersole.
