CROTONA PARK, Bronx (WABC) — A New York-based nonprofit whose goal is to change young lives through tennis and education kicked off its annual Presidents’ Cup Tournament on Monday.<\/p>\n
It’s a five-day event that aims to provide friendly competition and so much more to hundreds of young athletes.<\/p>\n
The unmistakable sounds of forehands and backhands filled a tennis center in Crotona Park on Monday.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of kids played in a week-long President’s Cup Tournament organized by New York’s Junior Tennis and Learning, the nation’s largest youth and tennis education nonprofit organization.<\/p>\n
8th-grade star athlete and academic scholar Hudson Harris shared how the tournament benefits the youth.<\/p>\n
“A lot of confidence for sure. Sportsmanship. Getting to meet new people. Socializing,” the 13-year-old said.<\/p>\n
Many of the elementary, middle and high schoolers from across the city have played and rallied in a gym or school hallway.<\/p>\n
But competing against kids their age in a formal tennis facility is a first for many of them.<\/p>\n
“These kids are playing the sport of a lifetime. It’s the healthiest sport they say. It gives them resources. They can come here, do their homework after school. It’s a great sport to keep them out of trouble,” Director of Tennis Ahsha Rolle said.<\/p>\n
One of the goals of a tournament like this is to have inner-city kids experience the ups and downs that come with an organized competitive match and an experience that will better equip them for the ups and downs they will encounter later in life.<\/p>\n
“Winning is definitely nice but how do you react to circumstances when you are not winning when you are down and you have to catch up,” Grace Bodenmann with NY Junior Tennis and Learning said.<\/p>\n
While organizers place a strong emphasis on academic success, every now and then, a gifted and dedicated athlete emerges.<\/p>\n
Last year, 17-year-old Miguel Londo\u00f1o, from College Point, Queens, won a national title for his age group.<\/p>\n
“There is always something to improve. I think the most important thing is to always show up, be here in practice trying to get better,” Londo\u00f1o said.<\/p>\n
That’s a gameplan that breeds success in more than just tennis.<\/p>\n
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