USTA grant to help Tennis Memphis grow sport

Stephen Lang, executive director of Tennis Memphis, wasn’t totally surprised when he learned that his organization was one of 38 across the country to receive a grant from the United States Tennis Association.

Lang felt like the National Junior Tennis and Learning Tennis Summer Camp run by Tennis Mem- phis for the last 10 years was a deserving recipient. Tennis Memphis, which manages and operates seven Memphis public tennis centers, was awarded a $10,000 grant.

“I was excited because it’s given us the resources that we need to bring new kids to the game of tennis and to try to raise the profile of the sport, especially in areas of town where tennis isn’t the No. 1 sport,” Lang said. “This gives us the resources to do what we want to do.”

The weekly camps run Monday through Thursday from June 3 to July 25 at nine locations throughout Memphis. The age range is 5-18.

Lang said some participants are allowed to participate for free, but the majority are charged $25 per week.

“You can’t run a camp of this quality, and this size and scope on $25,” Lang said. “What this (grant) does is enable us to pro- vide access to tennis in these communities and to make the program accessible and affordable.”

This year more than 1,000 children will participate in the camps, which conclude July 25 with a jamboree at the University of Memphis for all campers. Lang said 75 percent of participants are 10 and under.

For information on the Tennis Summer Camp, visit tennismemphis.org or call 901-237-5677.