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Tennis bubble up in Roy Wilkens Park

It took five years to complete the large tennis bubble in Roy Wilkens Park, but it’s the first time in its 39 year history that the Youth and Tennis Academy has a home of its own.

Founder and executive director Bill Briggs thanked Borough President Helen Marshall, who allocated $2.27 million, the cost of the indoor tennis facility, which enables the academy to hold classes year-round, seven days a week. Previously, they used the Cunningham Tennis Center in Cunningham Park.

The ribbon cutting ceremony and reception for the historic indoor tennis facility had a large turnout, which included Marshall, Congressmember Gregory Meeks, Senators Shirley Huntley and Tony Avella, Assemblymember William Scarborough, Councilmembers Leroy Comrie and Ruben Wills, and Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski. Tennis champion John McEnroe, who grew up in nearby Douglaston and started a John McEnroe Tennis Academy on Randall’s Island, was the special guest. Former Youth and Tennis members were in attendance, including Gemma Mozeak, who played professionally and is now the women’s coach at St. John’s University.

The Youth and Tennis Academy is co-ed and provides year-round instruction for junior tennis and youth development for children ages four to 19. The School for Junior Tennis provides tennis instruction, exercise and conditioning, technique and strategy drills, competitive match play and summer mini-training camps. The School for Youth Development provides in-class group discussions, motivational lectures, educational field trips, leadership coaching, parent/guardian workshops and mentorship coaching. For information on these programs, call 718-658-6728. – Tonia N. Cimino