Record Entries For Mayor’s Cup Event
Boys’ singles varsity entries for the 25th annual Mayor’s Cup All-Scholastic Tennis Championships Presented By Reliance Communications, which is the largest interscholastic tennis event in the United States, hit an all-time high of 107 for the 64-main draw and qualifying events to be held June 2-10 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
In addition, a strong contingent of 83 girls’ varsity singles entries representing all five New York City boroughs and a total of 99 middle school boys and girls have been received. Doubles draws remain open.
For the first time, the Mayor’s Cup will include elementary school players. Nine teams representing New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) ACES Clubs after-school program will compete.
“We are thrilled to include the young players in the Mayor’s Cup competition,” said Dr. Deborah Antoine, NYJTL President and CEO. “It is the perfect opportunity for young players to see their high school counterparts as role models.”
The Mayor’s Cup Presented By Reliance Communications and hosted by NYJTL, is the only interscholastic tournament in the nation featuring teams competing against each other from public, private and parochial schools. The tournament attracts some of the best players throughout the New York City metropolitan area competing in 16 different categories for boys and girls ranging in ages from elementary school through high school.
Reliance Communications, an international wireless distributor based on Long Island, joins NYJTL as the presenting sponsor for the tournament in 2012.
“We are proud to support The Mayor’s Cup and to partner with NYJTL,” said Mike Narula, President and CEO of Reliance Communications. “The opportunity for youngsters to play on the same courts as the great stars of the US Open is inspirational.”
The 2012 Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity All-Star Tennis Teams will be selected by the Tournament Committee (which includes local coaches) from among the tournament competitors. Special award recipients will also be recognized during the finals on Sunday, June 10.
Many former Mayor’s Cup participants have played intercollegiate tennis and have earned numerous Divisions I scholarships at colleges and universities including Columbia University, St. John’s University, the US Military Academy, and the University of North Carolina, among many others.
“What makes the Mayor’s Cup so unique is that it is a free, open event featuring not only some of New York City’s best student-athletes, but also players from NYJTL’s Community Tennis and Aces Club programs.” said Ron Nano, NYJTL Senior Director of Tennis Programs and Operations.
The Mayor’s Cup matches are played daily through Sunday, June 10. Admission is free of charge, and tickets are not required.
Community tennis sites
The New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) kicks off its annual Spring Community Tennis Program by providing free tennis lessons, tennis equipment, competition and special field trips to children ages six through 18 at locations throughout New York City.
NYJTL’s Spring Community Tennis program runs through June 22. Parents can register their children at any NYJTL program site throughout the season. There is no registration deadline. A parent or guardian must register in-person with their child at the location they choose to attend. Saturday program hours are available at eight Youth Tennis Center (YTC) locations.
Children in all five New York City boroughs receive free tennis instruction by USTA-certified instructors, tennis rackets to use during program hours, inter-borough competition for all levels, special events and field trips are also planned.
NYJTL’s FREE Spring Community Tennis programs will be held at J.H.S. 190, at 68-17 Austin St., in Forest Hills; Juniper Valley Park, at 79-15 Penelope Ave in Middle Village; and other sites throughout the city. Visit www.nyjtl.org for more information.
