Celebrating Our Student Athletes
April 16 marked National Student Athlete Day. At NYJTL, we’re proud to support young people as they grow through tennis and education, building skills that prepare them for lifelong success. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, high school student-athletes achieve higher grades and are significantly more likely to attend college. This April and every month, we celebrate the dedication, resilience, and achievements of the incredible student-athletes in our community.
Hartman Cup Closes Out Winter Season
The Community Tennis Program wrapped up its Winter season with the Hartman Cup, a three-weekend tournament that brought together over 100 players. The finals, held on April 13, capped off the season with exciting, high-level play.
One of the most memorable moments was the three-hour Boys 14s championship match between Etrit Llabjani and Hudson Harris, showcasing not only exceptional tennis but also sportsmanship and grit.
Hartman Cup Results
Boys
- 12s: Champion – Julian Olewnicki | Finalist – Brandon Maldonado
- 14s: Champion – Etrit Llabjani | Finalist – Hudson Harris
- 16s: Champion – Raiden Sun | Finalist – Jayden Howard
- 18s: Champion – Nicholas Oh | Finalist – Santiago Reynoso
Girls
- 12s: Champion – Shijia Huang | Finalist – Cai Burke
- 14s: Champion – Zara Henry-Joseph | Finalist – Hannah Yang
- 16s: Champion – Victoria Morales | Finalist – Joanna Zhang
- 18s: Champion – Emma Kusakabe | Finalist – Amber Lai
ACES Cup Brings Elementary School Teams Together
On April 16, elementary school teams from Manhattan and Brooklyn came together at the Cary Leeds Center for the 2025 NYJTL ACESTER’S Cup. It was a full day of animated matches and teamwork.
A special thank-you to Victor Ayudant, Alishia Russell, Mandisa Mchawi, Brianna Marquez, and Ryan Mitchell for their support, especially in organizing and distributing food for our student athletes. We’re also grateful to the entire Cary Leeds Center staff for their effort in helping make the tournament a success.
ACES Cup Competition Winners
Fast Serve Competition (Bronx/Queens)
- Champion: Anthony (PS 009) – 48 mph
- Finalist: Addison D. (PS 187) – 41 mph
- Third Place: Diyor S. (PS 215) – 33 mph
Fitness Competition (Bronx/Queens)
- Champion: PS 009
- Finalist: PS 289
- Third Place: PS 187
Cary Leeds Center Featured on News12 the Bronx
The Cary Leeds Center was recently featured on News12 the Bronx! The segment spotlighted Raymond Baldwin Jr., a student in our Scholar Athlete Program. His father shared how the Cary Leeds Center has been one of the best things to happen to their family—providing not only high-level tennis coaching but also important academic support.
Udai Tambar, NYJTL President & CEO, shared:
“We believe talent is universal, but opportunity is not. In communities like the South Bronx, there’s incredible talent, but far fewer chances for it to shine. The Cary Leeds Center is changing that—it’s a place where young people can be seen, celebrated, and supported.”
Click here to watch the whole video