Tennis lovers and health care advocates gathered at the Lincoln Terrace tennis courts last weekend for a spirited celebration of unity during the second annual United States Tennis Association regional Breast Cancer awareness campaign on Oct. 6.
Over 60 community members showed up in their pink athletic wear to learn the fundamentals of tennis, various techniques and instructional drills before participating in doubles play.
Dr. Sharon Simmonds, the USTA Eastern Metro Regional Director, reflected on the event’s significance, calling it a “heartfelt display of togetherness.”
“The event was a resounding success, bringing our community together in a celebration of unity and purpose as we create breast cancer awareness,” Simmonds said in a statement. “This event is close to my heart as I watched a couple of my tennis sisters endure all that comes with this disease. It is a reminder of the strength we have when we come together for a common cause.”
Participants started the morning with warm-up stretches and a tennis figure of eight to get the blood flowing before diving into cardio tennis and various competitive matches.
The atmosphere was electric as players cheered on one another, showcasing skill and sportsmanship throughout the day.
While this particular event was not designed as a fundraiser, Dr. Simmonds expressed hope that it could evolve into one in the future, aligning with the USTA’s national vision of “Growing Tennis to Inspire Healthier People and Communities Everywhere.”
USTA said they plan to continue this tradition, proving their dedication to promoting tennis and cultivating support for those impacted by cancer.