Once-in-a-Lifetime Chance at World Tennis Day
By Ashley Marshall, usta.com
For a group of five youngsters who have grown up with a racquet in their hand, World Tennis Day is more than just an exhibition featuring the elite players in the game.
Depending on which Play For Life ambassador you ask, the day is a cool experience, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the world’s most famous arena or a chance to inspire other children.
The ambassadors are 4-year-old Amadeo Mendez-Robles of Las Vegas; Lleyton Johnson of Columbus, Ohio, age 8; Kalli Minor of Compton, Calif., age 10; Jessica Popiol of Bartlett, Ill., age 11; and New York City native Teddy Brodsky, age 16.
Teddy said he was in awe of Madison Square Garden — the site of Monday night’s BNP Paribas Showdown, held to celebrate World Tennis Day — especially getting to experience it virtually empty first thing Monday morning. Now he’s hoping to use the unique experience to motivate other youngsters to get out on the court.
“It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life,” Teddy said. “I live in New York, so I come to Knicks and Rangers games. I’ve come to this event for the past few years, so to just be on the court is the most unbelievable thing. It’s a unique experience unlike any other thing where 18,000 people can be here, but right now there’s maybe 10 of us in here.”
To read the full story go to www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/national/a-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity-for-youth-ambassadors.html.
Latest ‘Inside Tennis with The Koz’ from Dick Vitale College Classic
The latest “Inside Tennis with The Koz” will air on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. on SNN TV on the Suncoast of Florida.
The 30-minute magazine-style show will feature a look at The Dick Vitale Lakewood Ranch College Tennis Classic including interviews with Mr. Basketball and tennis zealot Dick Vitale, Florida resident and Duke University student-athlete Robert Levine who was the winner of the men’s singles, and University of Florida student-athlete Anna Danilina, winner of the women’s singles.
The show will also highlight a visit with former Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe, three-time Slam singles winner Lindsay Davenport, and NCAA All-American and ATP player Jon Leach sharing their feelings of what is like to watch their kids play tennis.
Also heard from are 10-year old Victoria McEnroe and 9-year-old Jagger Leach, and a sit-down interview with Lakewood Ranch Director of Athletic Operations and former Florida men’s singles player Paul Lederman.
To watch the episode click below:
