By Tien-Shun Lee
On the second day of the US Open Championship, former tennis stars Pam Shriver and Zena Garrison joined tournament officials at Forest Hills High School to inaugurate four new, state-of-the-art courts and to give local youth some tips on improving their game.
“When you see kids play tennis, you can't help but put your two cents in,” said Shriver, who won 22 grand slam titles before retiring seven years ago.
The new tennis courts are part of a $3.8 million outdoor athletic complex being built behind Forest Hills High School by Take the Field, a non-profit organization founded in 2000 with the mission of rebuilding public schools' athletic facilities.
Besides tennis courts, the school's new athletic complex will include a football and soccer field with artificial turf, baseball and softball fields, a rubberized, six-lane running track, 10 handball courts and gymnastics facilities.
“I think that for a lot of kids all they need is the opportunity,” said Laura Granville, a 22-year-old competing in the current US Open tournament. “It's important to have courts available, indoor as well as outdoor, so that kids can play all year round.”
Zena Garrison, a former Wimbledon finalist, and Alan Schwartz, president of the United States Tennis Association, which donated money to build the new courts, encouraged kids to take advantage of the beautiful new tennis facility.
“The USTA is proud to partner with Take the Field in order to provide young people an opportunity to play the great sport of tennis on professionally restored courts,” said Schwartz. “Tennis will help these youngsters develop physically, mentally and socially, and their participation helps the USTA achieve our mission of growing the game.”
Since its inception, Take the Field has worked with the private sector, city government and the Department of Education to rebuild 32 public schools' facilities, including facilities at 11 Queens high schools. Funding for projects averages about $3 million for each school.
Youngsters who practiced on Forest Hills High School's new courts Tuesday included members of the New York Junior Tennis League, the Chinese-American Council community group's tennis league, the Queens division of the West Side Tennis League and Forest Hills High School students.
Borough officials present at the inauguration ceremony included Deputy Borough President Karen Koslowitz and state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone).
Reach reporter Tien-Shun Lee by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com, or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
