The USTA Long Island Region will kick off its 2018-2019 Junior Team Tennis (JTT) season this September and we are excited to show the rest of the section how we got the name “Strong Island.”

“More than a thousand kids are participating in tennis programs across the Island,” said Kristina Desimone, USTA Eastern’s Manager of Youth Programs. “Long Island clubs and tennis providers will be encouraging their juniors to go beyond their lessons and give competitive tennis a try in the very supportive, low-pressure environment.”

JTT is a junior league in which kids learn about unity, sportsmanship and how to work together to achieve success…all through tennis. Kids play with children of similar skill level while being introduced to team competition in a setting that focuses on developing skills, offering play opportunities and promoting fun.  JTT is available for boys and girls, ages 6 to 18; co-ed teams are organized by age, and give junior players a chance to engage in match play in spirited and supportive team setting. 

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An ideal complement for kids who plan to play on middle or high school teams, JTT players play singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches against other teams, providing the structure to practice and get additional match experience outside of the school season.

USTA Eastern offers incredible, one-of-a-kind experiences exclusively to JTT players including invitations to meet touring tennis players like Christina McHale and John Isner, as well as well as opportunities to play on stadium courts and help with pre-match World TeamTennis and US Open coin tosses.  Long Island JTT players enjoyed meeting some of the leading ATP players at the inaugural New York Open at NYCB Live’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. More exclusive player access and play opportunities are in the works for next year’s tournament.

Contact Neil Thakur, the Long Island Region’s Tennis Service Representative and JTT Coordinator, to learn more about the program and connect with JTT league providers.