Semi-pro tennis tournament returns

Some of the top-ranked men’s singles players on the east coast will square off in the 11th annual Greater Urban Pro Tennis Classic, starting the weekend of June 24-25 at Liberty Park in Jamaica and Cunningham Park in Fresh Meadows. The finals are slated for Sunday, July 2nd, with the rain date July 3rd.
The tournament, sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association (USTA), has included such local stars that are semi-professionals or collegiate stars as Faisal Shabir, Tae Byon, Sadik Sendich, Edwin Gerard, Ari Fiul and Paul Wawrzniak. Last year’s winner, Ian Bliss of Plainfield, has indicated he will defend his title.
The tournament, using a best-of-three sets format, was initially started to raise interest in tennis in urban areas. “The purpose of the event was to have excellent tennis players play in the urban community so that the youngsters can see what great tennis looks like and become inspired to play,” said Bill Briggs, the president of Youth and Tennis, Inc., a junior tennis program headquartered at the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center in Jamaica, that is hosting the event.
All proceeds of the tournament go to the children involved in the program. For further information or to apply, call (718) 658-6728. Entries are due June 15th.