MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – College tennis players competing in the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic took time Saturday to introduce Montgomery children to the sport during a free youth clinic.
The clinic, held as part of the River Region sporting tradition, invited kids 10 and younger to learn tennis basics, including forehand and backhand strokes. Athletes from colleges and universities nationwide participated, including players from Montgomery’s Alabama State University.
Katrina Wilson, director of junior tennis at the O’Connor Tennis Center, led the event.
“This is kind of like an introduction to tennis for kids 10 and under,” Wilson said. “Many of these kids don’t know about tennis or would like to try it out.”
Wilson said coaches, college players, high school volunteers and parents worked together to put on the clinic.
“I had players from many high schools and colleges, thanks to everybody that came out and helped,” Wilson said. “A lot of parents also came down and helped. It’s teamwork for putting on an event like this.”
Wilson said watching children pick up a racket for the first time is especially rewarding.
“It’s very important,” Wilson said. “I encourage anybody that has the love of sharing with the kids and giving back to step out and get more kids out playing.”
The Blue Gray Classic continues Saturday afternoon at Lagoon Park and concludes Sunday.
The annual tournament draws college teams from across the country to Montgomery each year and has become a staple of the River Region sports calendar.
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