Looking Back and Looking Forward
Tennis in the Streets — Delaware
There were dozens of large-scale tennis events canceled in 2020. Something we’re looking forward to getting back to when the time is right? The Delaware Districts’ Tennis in the Streets event.
Running for more than three decades, Tennis in the Streets has helped introduce tennis to tens of thousands of kids in the Delaware community. The annual event, which generally takes place in May, provides free tennis lessons to youth from local schools.
In some years, more than 1,000 kids have participated on the short-court, one-of-a-kind event.
It’s one of the many great efforts and accomplishments of the USTA Middle States Delaware District and its volunteers, and it’s not possible without all of the USTA League players and other USTA members who play tennis and support the sport in Delaware. It’s just one example of local tennis players — even when they don’t realize it — supporting the game at the grassroots.
A unique aspect of Tennis in the Streets is the community partnership that comes with it. The event brings together the USTA at the section and district level, along with partners that have included the City of Wilmington Department of Parks and Recreation, USPTA, PTR, and local non-profits. Elementary and middle school kids take part in the event, while local teaching professionals, teachers, and community advocates volunteer their time for the day.
Prior to the last event, Delaware Mayor Mike Purzycki spoke about the impact of Tennis in the Streets.
“For more than 30 years, Tennis in the streets has been a much-anticipated community event in our City,” he said. “USTA’s partnership expands the city’s opportunities to expose children in Wilmington to activities that can expand their athletic talents and skills. We are appreciative of this collaboration, which follows the theme of fighting childhood obesity and promoting health and activity.”
While Tennis in the Streets is not on the calendar for 2021 at this point, the day can’t come soon enough that the sport can safely gather the community together again.
Questions about community tennis, events, or how to get involved? Email communications@ms.usta.com.
Take a look at some photos from the 2019 event.
- Take a look at some photos from the 2019 event
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