The Racket 🎾

NYJTL x Naomi Osaka

Last week, participants from the Community Tennis Program got the opportunity to meet Naomi Osaka, reigning champion at the US Open and the Australian Open, and the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles.

NYJTL partnered with Laureus Sports, an organization founded under the Patronage of Nelson Mandela, and their Sport for Good initiative that uses sport as a powerful and cost-effective tool to help children and young people overcome violence, discrimination, and disadvantage in their lives. This year, Osaka was awarded the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.

NYJTL kids had the opportunity to hit with Naomi on the newly refurbished Detective Keith L. Williams Park in Jamaica, Queens, where her journey as a tennis player began.  It was an inspiring day, and one that our kids will remember for a lifetime.

Community Tennis

This summer the CTP program served nearly 4,500 players at 23 sites, in all five NYC boroughs! The kids had the opportunity to work on their tennis skills, get exercise, and make some new friends. Congratulations to our CTP coaches, who coach from the heart!

ACES Afterschool

This school year, the ACES program ran summer programs at 28 school sites with full enrollment targets fulfilled. 23 schools received above average rating, validating NYJTL’s leadership role in providing excellent afterschool programming. Way to go ACES team!

The Cary Leeds Center

Nearly 1,500 campers spent their summer days keeping active on court, making new tennis friends, and perfecting their game! Campers worked on their technique in the development level and honed their tournament play in the high performance level.

Taste of Tennis

NYJTL partnered with our friends at Taste of Tennis to bring their food truck of paletitas, made by Chef Fanny Gerson, to the Cary Leeds Center on August 11. The kids loved their cold, sweet treats after a long day of tennis!