Oak Brook 10 & under junior tennis team takes district championship

Oak Brook Park District Tennis Center's 10 & Under United States Tennis Association Junior Team finished the West Suburban League's 6-month tennis season with a perfect record, defeating teams from Elmhurst, Wheaton and Schaumburg.

Advancing to the Chicago District Championship, the Oak Brook team won against Oak Lawn and Homewood Flossmoor, clinching the district championship title on July 20 in Homewood Flossmoor.

Led by coach and Tennis Center manager Alin Pop, teammates Kenny Chan of Westmont, Yasmina Eshac of Hinsdale, Jacob Gupta of Hinsdale, Aswin Chawla of Clarendon Hills, Johnny Dietz of Elmhurst, and Alex Yang of Hinsdale will represent the Chicago District at the Midwest Sectional Championship Aug. 1-3 in Indianapolis.

"We are working with a very talented group of young players and we are looking forward to having a great time at the sectional championship," Pop said.

In a season that lasts from November through May, USTA Jr. Team Tennis is the largest junior tennis league in the United States with more than 100,000 participants nationwide. USTA Jr. Team Tennis is often compared to Little League Baseball, as the program offers children the opportunity to develop their individual and team skills in a fun, yet competitive atmosphere.

Pop has been the Oak Brook Park District's Tennis Center manager since 2010. In his time at the club, he has introduced the 10 & Under teaching philosophy, as well as developed and implemented successful junior and adult training programs that help players of all abilities become the best competitors they can be.

In 2012, Pop was named USTA Chicago District's Tournament Director of the Year, and under his direction, the Tennis Center was named the 2013 USTA Chicago District's Facility of the Year.

The Oak Brook Tennis Center is part of the Oak Brook Park District and at 1300 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook. For more information, contact www.obparks.org/tennis or (630) 990-4660.