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Across Metro New York…News and Notes From Across the New York
Across Metro Ne
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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.”
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.
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
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.
New York … News and notes from across the New York Metro tennis community
USTA Eastern Honoring Doctors on the Front Line
USTA Eastern has made sure to honor those in our tennis community who have joined the fight on the front line against the coronavirus pandemic. The organization has started a From the Baseline to the Front Line series where it is recognizing, and has honored a number of different doctors and nurses from its Section. One of them is Dr. Shyam Shivdasani, whose practice in New Rochelle saw some of the earliest patients with the virus. One of his patients that he treated and helped heal was none other than Patrick McEnroe, lifelong New Yorker and co-director of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy.
Vazquez Wins Sportime Challenger
Julian Joaquin Vazquez took home the title at the L6 Sportime Syosset Challenger earlier this spring. Vazquez, who is a Gilad Bloom Tennis student, was seeded second and did not lose a set on his way to the championship.
Domski Wins L7 Eastern Open
Olivia Domski, who plays out of the CourtSense Training Center, captured the title in the Girls 12s division at the L7 Eastern Open at Bogota Racquet Club. Despite being unseeded in the draw, Domski won all of her matches in straight sets en route to hoisting the winning trophy.
Gotham Tennis Working with Bronx Community
West Side’s Daniela Hernandez Commits to UL Monroe
The West Side Tennis Club player Daniela Hernandez has committed to play her collegiate tennis at the University of Louisana-Monroe. Hernandez is a former PSAL New York City singles champion and now trains under Luke Jensen at West Side
A focal point of the mission of Stadium Tennis Center and the Gotham Tennis Academy is to grow the sport of tennis, especially in its surrounding areas in the Bronx. Before the impact of the global pandemic was felt here in New York and courts were shut down, the facility ran programming for local Bronx organizations, including We Are Bronxchester, a non-profit that runs a camp and afterschool programming.
