Young athletes got a taste of what it's like to compete in a professional tournament Thursday in Queens.
One hundred kids from all five boroughs competed for tennis glory in the City Parks Foundation’s BNP Paribas Aces Tournament at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
Wimbledon and US Open Champion Virginia Wade served up some tennis knowledge.
Organizers say competitions like these train athletes to be ready for games like the Open or even the Olympics.
“These kids really need the experience,” said Raymond Chin of the City Parks Foundation. “It's a real-life tournament where the parents are involved. They get to stand behind the fence and watch their kids play. They feel nervous because there are other people watching them.”
“It's an exciting atmosphere,” said Wade. “And [kids may think], ‘You know, maybe one day this is something that I would really like to do.’”
To learn more about sports programs with the City Parks Foundation, go to cityparksfoundation.org/sports.