String theory

Kids in B’klyn projects learn good kind of ‘racket’ for free

AS THE WORLD’S TOP tennis players duked it out at the U.S. Open in recent days, a crew of aspiring Serena Williamses and Rafael Nadals took the court at several Brooklyn housing projects.

There was 11-year-old Xavier Charles uncorking his forehand outside the Marcy Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

On a nearby court, Mekhi Brown, 14, was among a group of kids practicing their footwork.

“I love it,” Mehki said. “Once I start playing and get into my groove, I just go straight for it and try my best.”

The youngsters are members of the Kings County Tennis League, a program that offers free tennis classes to kids ages 5 to 15 across five public housing complexes in Brooklyn.

Founded at the Marcy Houses in 2010, the league now boasts roughly 150 participants and a crew of committed coaches .

“It's certainly a sport that not many kids know about in public housing, in and around Brooklyn,” said David Webley, 41, the league’s program manager.

“But it's a great sport for kids to play. It engages them in many ways, not only physically but mentally as well.”

Webley would love to develop a flock of future pros, but the real volunteer purpose of the league is to develop a collection of college graduates.

In addition to honing their serves and ground strokes, the participants are treated to a 30-minute life skills lesson.

“Tennis obviously is great but the reality is not everyone is coming here to become a tennis player,” he said.

“But what tennis can give them in terms of development can get them through education and beyond.”

For now, kids like Xavier are focused on the tennis.

A soft-spoken boy off the court, Xavier transforms into a confident player with quick feet and powerful swings the moment he picks up a racket.

“I needed something to do on the weekends, so I joined tennis,” Xavier said. “I like getting better.”

The courts a few blocks over play host to the Tompkins Tennis Club, one of the league’s newer clubs.

Introduced in 2014, Tompkins won the league’s annual Davis Cup tournament this year.

“I like tennis because the sport just calms me,” said Kevin Morris, 11, one of Tompkins’ top players.

Asked if he believes he will ever go pro, Kevin didn’t hesitate.

“Yes,” he said confidently. “I know I am.”