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New Tennis Tournament Pits Borough Against Borough to Help Kids

By Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska | April 26, 2013 1:43pm

QUEENS — In this battle of the boroughs, there is no love.

A new tennis tournament next month will pit borough against borough, giving the winners bragging rights as the city’s best on the hard court, organizers said Friday.

During Battle of the Boroughs Tennis Challenge, organized by City Parks Foundation and the U.S. Tennis Association Eastern, players will be divided into teams representing Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx.

Teams of up to 10 players will compete in singles and doubles matches against other teams in their borough, before earning a slot in the citywide championship.

The championship will be held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows on June 15, the organizers said.

"Tennis is a popular activity in New York's parks but most players don't venture past their local park for a game,” said Mike Silverman, director of sports for City Parks Foundation.

“This inaugural event helps bring together players from all over Queens and New York City in a fun, coed team competition that will crown a borough-wide and ultimately, citywide parks champion.”

All proceeds will support City Parks Foundation's free youth tennis programs in each borough. According to the foundation, their program CityParks Tennis provides free lessons and activities at 38 parks citywide to children and teens ages 5-16, serving about 7,000 players a year.

“We hope this will grow into an exciting annual event for both players and spectators," Silverman said.

Borough challenges start on May 11. The organizers said they expect about 8 to 10 teams each in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens and 4 to 6 teams each in Staten Island and The Bronx.

Five teams — one from each borough — will advance to the championship.

Those interested in participating can get more information and register here. Players have to be at least 19-years-old. It costs $20 per person to participate. The event is open to the public to view.