Serena Williams Does Youth Tennis Clinic Ahead of Open

News Americas, QUEENS, NY, Fri. Aug. 22, 2014: Reigning US Open singles champion Serena Williams and Stan Wawrinka, participated in a youth tennis clinic with kids from community-based provider Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities Community Center, based in Corona, Queens, Thursday August 21, 2014, at the Billy Jean King Tennis Center, in Flushing, Queens, New York.

Elmcor’s summer camp program took part in Returning the Love, an outreach initiative designed to welcome in youth, families and nonprofit organizations from the surrounding New York and Queens community. As part of the initiative, which is now in its fourth year, the USTA welcomed 23 kids from the summer camp program, all under 10 years old, for a youth tennis clinic and a chance to volley with pros Williams and Wawrinka.

“I always love coming out and supporting the kids,” Williams said after rallying with two female campers over pop-up nets. “It’s so good to the new initiative to get kids involved especially in the United States because that’s the future of tennis.”

Wawrinka, the 2014 Australian Open men’s singles champion, spoke to the advantages of the shorter nets, smaller courts and slower-moving, lower-bouncing balls. “When you’re really young it’s nice because you can play normally,” he said. “Most important is that they enjoy being on the court when they are that age.”

Through New York Cares, the city’s largest volunteer management organization, Elmcor was offered a spot as the participating program for the 2014 US Open. Elmcor is one of the largest nonprofit community-based service agencies in Queens and provides at-risk youth and adults quality recreation, education and social service programs. Teague said while the youth center has a gym ready, they hope to get professional help in establishing Elmcor’s own tennis program.

The goal for Returning the Love is to focus on creating a positive and lasting impact in the community. Players and staff will also participate in granting a handful of wishes to kids with life-threatening medical conditions through an annual partnership with the Make-A-Wish organization.