Davis Cup players take time out for local youth
As some of the best U.S. tennis players gathered in the Northwest suburbs this past weekend for Davis Cup matches at the Sears Centre, they didn't forget an important constituency: youth players from the area.
Team USA held a Davis Cup Fun Day at the South Barrington Club, where nearly 300 young players from tennis clubs throughout the suburbs met some of the best players in the country and had fun playing tennis.
Two days later, at south suburban Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Davis Cup players participated in an adaptive tennis event with 46 children with special needs, where they worked on hand-eye skills, volleys and movement.
At the South Barrington Club, Davis Cup Captain Jim Courier was on hand as well as John Isner, currently ranked 11th among U.S. men and the top-seeded American on the Davis Cup team, and second-seeded Sam Querrey.
Youth also met several of the alternate players, but not the doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan. Having just captured the U.S. Open doubles title, they arrived in the Chicago area too late to make the play date.
Leah Friedman, the Junior Development coordinator for the Chicago District Tennis Association, organized the event and drew coaches from participating tennis clubs as well as parent volunteers, including Mary Beth Bowman, founder of the nonprofit Barrington Area Tennis Association.
"It turned out to be an extraordinary event," Friedman said. "Having our young players not only meet the Davis Cup team, but play points and ask questions directly to the players and Coach Jim Courier will only help them with their practices in the future."
The event included pizza and refreshments, as well as games and prizes.
Play Days are designed to allow kids to experience the thrill of competition without the pressure, Friedman says. With the emphasis on fun, kids gain both confidence and experience through constant movement and quick drills.
Chris Nisbet, manager of Heritage Tennis Club in Arlington Heights, said even the adults had fun.
"Just seeing the players like that, working with our kids, was great," Nisbet said. "I had a blast."
Bowman never could have imagined mixing local children with Davis Cup players when she started the Barrington Area Tennis Association two years ago with the mission of growing the sport. She also has succeeded in getting Barrington Area Unit District 220 to include tennis instruction in its gym curriculum.
The Barrington association is part of the U.S. Tennis Association's network of Community Tennis Associations, as well as the Midwest Youth Team Tennis program, which is the largest tennis program for children 10 and under in the Midwest.
"We are so appreciative of the South Barrington Club for hosting," Friedman added, "as well as the many Chicago District Coaches who volunteered their time, and the parents and programs who helped bring young players to the event. The day was a complete team success."