As the top players in the world competed at the 2010 US Open, 50 junior girls from USTA Eastern got a chance on September 2nd to learn from two legends of the game – Stefanie Graf and Billie Jean King – at a special clinic in Manhattan’s Central Park.
The girls worked on their forehands, backhands and serves, and heard from two women who changed the face of women’s tennis, at the Center Court for Kids Tennis Clinic, sponsored by Swiss watchmaker Longines.
The clinic, which was presented in partnership with USTA Eastern and the City Parks Foundation, also featured current professional tennis players as coaches: Tim Smyczek, Ryler DeHeart, Mashona Washington and Jennifer Elie.
Some of the girls who participated were the top-ranked 12 and under girls in USTA Eastern. Others were from the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Foundation and the City Parks Foundation. All of them worked hard on the court as Graf provided direction and encouragement.
Gaby Pollner of White Plains said Graf told her to stay balanced, keep her feet in position, and hit the ball with more spin, less power. “It obviously showed in my playing, after she was telling me those things,” said Pollner. “Anybody could say it, but it’s Stefanie Graf, so it really just stuck in my mind.”
Sabrina Barisano of Yonkers took home some lessons for both tennis and life. “She taught me to never give up,” said Sabrina, “And she taught me to have fun on the court and to believe in yourself.”
After lunch, the girls and members of the public got a chance to compete in a speed serve contest by donating $5 to Graf’s Children for Tomorrow charity. Each donation allowed the participant three serves at a chance to win a Longines watch. USTA Eastern President Tim Heath was among those who competed, and his daughter, Sara, participated in the clinic. He said watching these legends of the game play, showed the girls that tennis is a sport you can play throughout your life. “It really is a lifelong commitment and joy that tennis offers,” said Heath.