As the pros compete for the top spot on tennis’ biggest American stage, kids will have a chance to learn about the game between the lines of play.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that they will feature a series of Kids Tennis initiatives at the 2010 U.S. Open, including a QuickStart Tennis demonstration in Arthur Ashe Stadium, during Labor Day weekend on Saturday, September 4.
“Getting kids more involved in the sport of tennis is one of the USTA’s highest priorities,” said Lucy C. Garvin, Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA. “I can think of no better way to promote the USTA’s Kids Tennis initiatives than by featuring them prominently at the U.S. Open, the world’s highest annually attended sporting event.”
The 2010 U.S. Open will feature two demonstrations of the QuickStart play format, including a demonstration on Court 12 from 1 – 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 4, where families will have the chance to pick up a racquet, work with USTA coaches and experience the benefits of the play format for themselves.
The second demonstration will feature kids from tennis clubs in Chicago and August, Ga. in a display from Arthur Ashe Stadium’s center court on Thursday, September 9.
Already prominently featured during Arthur Ashe Kids Day, Kids Tennis is expanding in order to expose children to a fun and healthy tennis hobby. QuickStart tennis is designed to bring kids into the game by utilizing specialized equipment, shorter court dimensions and modified scoring, all tailored to age and size. It is divided into two different levels – ages eight and under and ages 10 and under.
“Integrating Kids Tennis and the QuickStart Tennis play format into multiple aspects of the 2010 U.S. Open provides Kids Tennis with exposure to hundreds of thousands of people, growing the game at the grassroots level,” said Kurt Kamperman, USTA’s Chief Executive of Community Tennis.
For more information about Kids Tennis and how to integrate it into your child’s life, visit www.usta.com.
